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Boatswain vs StreamController: catalog facts
Boatswain	StreamController
Best for: Streamers and Linux users who own an Elgato Stream Deck	Best for: Linux users who own an Elgato Stream Deck
Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0.	Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.
Linux	Linux
Brings Stream Deck support to Linux Native GNOME interface All 3 strengths for Boatswain Brings Stream Deck support to Linux Native GNOME interface Open source	Brings Stream Deck support to Linux Plugin system for adding new key actions All 3 strengths for StreamController Brings Stream Deck support to Linux Plugin system for adding new key actions Distributed as a Flatpak on Flathub
Needs Elgato Stream Deck hardware Linux only	Linux only Only useful if you own an Elgato Stream Deck
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0-or-later	License: GPL-3.0-or-later
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Boatswain gitlab.gnome.org/World/boatswain Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for StreamController github.com/StreamController/StreamController Catalog checked October 1, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.