GearPad vs BikeControl: which fits your setup?
By mattapps · Published 12 October 2026 · Last checked 12 October 2026
GearPad and BikeControl solve different problems. BikeControl is an open-source app that bridges a hardware controller you already own, such as a Zwift Click, to your trainer app. GearPad makes an Android phone the controller, so you need no extra hardware. The gear you already have decides which one fits.
Do GearPad and BikeControl solve the same problem?
No. They both end with a keypress reaching your cycling game, but they start from different places. BikeControl listens to a controller you already have. GearPad is the controller.
We make GearPad, so read this with that in mind. We have tried to describe BikeControl the way its own page does, and to say plainly where it does more than we do.
BikeControl (formerly SwiftControl, by Jonas Bark) reads a hardware controller and sends keyboard or touch input to the trainer app. It works with controllers such as Zwift Click, Play and Ride, Shimano Di2, SRAM AXS, gamepads and cheap Bluetooth remotes.
GearPad is an Android app that acts as a Bluetooth keyboard. You pair the phone with a Mac or Windows PC like any other keyboard, then tap buttons on the screen. Keystrokes are all it sends: no trainer reading, no ERG, and no stand-in for a smart trainer.
How do they compare side by side?
The table below covers the basics. Pricing is as reported at the time of writing, so check each vendor's page before you buy.
| BikeControl | GearPad | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An open-source bridge (code on GitHub) between a hardware controller and your trainer app | A phone that acts as the controller |
| Extra hardware needed | Yes, a controller you already own or buy | No, only an Android phone |
| Platforms | iOS, iPadOS, Android, macOS, Windows | Android 9 or newer phone, paired to a Mac or Windows PC |
| Games and apps | MyWhoosh, Zwift, Biketerra, Rouvy, TrainingPeaks Virtual and others | Any game or app that takes keyboard input; MyWhoosh and Biketerra layouts built in |
| Pricing model, as reported | 5-day trial, a base price of about US$4.99 one-time per platform, and an optional Pro at roughly US$2.25 to 2.50 a month for extras such as virtual shifting | Free MyWhoosh and Biketerra layouts; a one-time Pro unlock on Google Play, no subscription |
| Best at | Making hardware you already own work in more apps, on more platforms | Giving you a controller with no extra purchase, and custom layouts |
Why choose BikeControl?
Choose BikeControl if you already own a controller, or want one. It is the broader tool, and it is open source, which matters if you like to read the code or follow its development.
- You own a Zwift Click, Shimano Di2, SRAM AXS shifters or a gamepad and want it to work outside its original app.
- You use an iPhone or iPad. GearPad is Android only.
- You use a trainer app beyond MyWhoosh and Biketerra, such as Rouvy or TrainingPeaks Virtual.
- You want physical buttons on the handlebars rather than a touchscreen.
The trade-off is the controller itself. If you do not have one, the cost of the hardware comes on top of the app. For hardware choices, see our list of Zwift Click alternatives.
Why choose GearPad?
Choose GearPad if you have an Android phone, ride on a Mac or Windows PC, and would rather not buy a controller. The phone is already in your pocket, and nothing needs installing on the computer.
- You want to shift gears in MyWhoosh or Biketerra with no extra hardware. Both layouts are built in and free forever, on each game's default keys.
- You want a layout for a game or app that has no ready-made support. The Pro unlock lets you create layouts with any key, including modifiers, hold-while-pressed buttons, icons, labels and colors. There is more in our guide to custom keys for any cycling app.
- You prefer paying once. The Pro unlock is a single purchase on Google Play, with no subscription.
The limits are real. GearPad is Android only, it needs a phone that allows apps to act as a keyboard (the app tells you on first launch if yours does not), and a touchscreen has no physical click. Keys also follow US keyboard positions, so symbol keys on other layouts may type something different.
Can the two be used together?
They are not built to work together, and we have not tested a combination, so we will not promise one. In practice you would pick one input method for a ride.
What does carry over is the game side. Virtual shifting still depends on the game's own settings and the trainer connection you already have, whichever tool sends the keypress. For how MyWhoosh handles it, read MyShift virtual shifting explained.
A quick way to decide
- Do you own a controller you like? Try BikeControl first.
- Is your phone an iPhone? BikeControl is the option, since GearPad is Android only.
- Do you have an Android phone and no controller? GearPad costs nothing for the MyWhoosh and Biketerra layouts, so it is a low-risk start.
- Do you need an app BikeControl lists but GearPad has no layout for? Either can work, but check the exact keys the game expects.
Quick answers
Can I try either one before paying?
BikeControl is reported to offer a 5-day trial before its base purchase. GearPad's MyWhoosh and Biketerra layouts are free with no time limit, and you only pay if you want Pro. Check the BikeControl site for current terms.
Do I need a Zwift Click to use GearPad?
No. GearPad runs on an Android phone and sends the keystrokes itself, so there is no controller to buy.
Does GearPad work with Rouvy or TrainingPeaks Virtual?
There is no built-in layout for them. If an app accepts keyboard shortcuts, you can build a layout for it with Pro, using the keys from that app's own list.
