Ranking updated
Best gamepad tester apps in 2026
For a full check of a PS5, PS4 or Xbox controller on iPhone or iPad, with stick drift and dead zones, adaptive triggers, vibration, the light bar and the gyro, SensePad. For testing many controller brands, including phone controllers like the Razer Kishi, Game Controller Tester. For a plain readout of stick and trigger values, GPchecker. On Android, GamepadTest. Full breakdown below.
How we picked: we read each app’s own App Store and Google Play description for which controllers it supports, what it can test and how it is paid for. We do not quote prices; check them in the store for your country.
Check a controller for stick drift
SensePad shows every input live, so you can check a controller before buying it second hand, after a repair, or when something just feels off. It visualises buttons, the D-Pad and stick movement, spots stick drift and dead zones, tests stick sensitivity, and runs an interactive input test for speed and accuracy. It supports the Xbox Wireless Controller (Series X|S and Xbox One), the DualSense for PS5, the DualShock 4 for PS4 and MFi-certified controllers.
Triggers, vibration and motion sensors
Beyond sticks and buttons, SensePad tests the DualSense adaptive triggers, the Xbox impulse triggers and vibration, the vibration motor and haptic feedback, previews the LED light bar, and shows the gyro and accelerometer with a motion visualisation. Its advanced Xbox and PlayStation diagnostics are in SensePad Pro, a subscription with a free trial. Game Controller Tester tests buttons, sticks and pressure sensitive triggers, can connect several controllers at once, and puts haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and removing ads in its Premium subscription.
A quick input check, and Android
GPchecker does one thing: it shows the input values of the sticks, triggers and buttons on a gamepad connected to your iPhone, and a stick or trigger that reaches 1.0 or -1.0 is working. On Android, GamepadTest lets you press every button and move the joysticks with visual confirmation, alerts you when the gamepad connects, and its Google Play listing shows no ads or in-app purchases.
| App | Platform | What it tests | Supported controllers |
|---|---|---|---|
| SensePadCensuusApp Store | iPhone, iPad | buttons, sticks and drift, triggers, vibration and haptics, LED, gyro and accelerometer | Xbox Series X|S and One, DualSense, DualShock 4, MFi |
| Game Controller TesterApp Store | iPhone, iPad | buttons, sticks, pressure sensitive triggers; haptics and adaptive triggers in Premium | Xbox, PlayStation, MFi and phone controllers such as Razer Kishi |
| GPcheckerApp Store | iPhone, iPad | stick, trigger and button input values | gamepads connected to the iPhone |
| GamepadTestGoogle Play | Android | buttons and joysticks, connection alerts | gamepads connected to Android |
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a PS5 controller for stick drift?
Connect it to an iPhone or iPad and open SensePad, which shows stick movement live and checks for drift and dead zones on the DualSense, as well as the DualShock 4 and Xbox controllers.
Can an app test controller vibration and adaptive triggers?
Yes. SensePad tests vibration, haptic feedback, the DualSense adaptive triggers and the Xbox impulse triggers, and Game Controller Tester has haptics and adaptive triggers in its Premium subscription.
Is there a controller tester app for Android?
GamepadTest on Android lets you try every button and joystick with visual feedback and alerts you when the gamepad connects; its Google Play listing shows no ads or in-app purchases.
Which controllers can I test on an iPhone?
SensePad supports Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One controllers, DualSense, DualShock 4 and MFi controllers. Game Controller Tester adds phone controllers such as the Razer Kishi, SteelSeries Nimbus+ and GameSir T4 Pro.