Bitfocus Companion is a free, open-source control surface application for macOS that turns a Stream Deck—or any button controller—into a broadcast-grade production switcher hub, capable of commanding dozens of professional AV and live-production devices simultaneously.
What is Bitfocus Companion?
Bitfocus Companion is a software application that acts as the nerve centre between physical button controllers (Stream Deck, XKeys, Elgato Pedal, and many others) and the professional hardware and software that live-production teams depend on every day. Where Elgato's own Stream Deck software caps out at basic macros and app launches, Companion opens a sprawling integration layer that speaks the native protocols of Ross Carbonite vision mixers, Blackmagic ATEM switchers, Disguise servers, vMix, Resolume, OBS, PTZ cameras, and hundreds of other devices.
The project is stewarded by Bitfocus, a Norwegian broadcast-systems company, and the community around it has grown into one of the most active open-source live-production ecosystems around. Modules—the per-device integration plugins—are contributed by manufacturers and independent developers alike, and the list now numbers well into the hundreds.
What does Bitfocus Companion do best?
Companion excels at unifying a sprawling multi-device broadcast rig behind a single, tactile interface. On a typical live-events show I run, a single Stream Deck XL page handles ATEM macro firing, PTZ camera presets, Resolume layer toggling, and a clock countdown—actions that would otherwise require four separate operator windows. The button feedback system is particularly strong: each key shows live state (active input, recording status, timer colour) pulled directly from the devices themselves, so operators get confirmation without looking away.
The web-based configuration UI is a genuine differentiator. Companion runs as a local server, meaning you configure everything through a browser tab and can even expose soft panels—virtual on-screen button grids—to iPads or any browser on the same network. That alone has saved me in situations where a physical Stream Deck failed mid-show.
- Multi-page button layouts with per-page PNG or text labels
- Dynamic variables that pull live values (timecode, switcher state, clip names) onto button faces
- Triggers that fire actions on schedule, on incoming OSC/TCP data, or on variable change—not just on button press
- Satellite mode for chaining multiple Stream Decks across machines
- Headless server operation—runs comfortably on a Mac mini tucked in a rack
Is Bitfocus Companion free?
Yes—Companion is completely free to download and use. It is open-source (MIT-licensed), and there is no paid tier, subscription, or feature gate. The entire module library is included. Bitfocus funds development through commercial broadcast-systems work rather than end-user licences, which has kept the software genuinely free for the community it serves.
Who should use Bitfocus Companion?
Anyone running live events, broadcast productions, houses of worship, esports arenas, or theatrical shows where multiple AV systems need coordinated, low-latency control will find Companion indispensable. It is aimed squarely at technical operators and AV engineers rather than casual streamers—the module configuration assumes you know what an NDI source or an RS-422 serial connection is. If you are a solo streamer who just wants to mute OBS with a button, Elgato's native Stream Deck software or Touch Portal will get you there faster with less setup.
The sweet spot is the mid-to-large production: a touring live show, a broadcast control room, a church with a complex lighting and video rig. At that scale, Companion's depth stops being intimidating and starts being exactly right.
How does Bitfocus Companion compare to Touch Portal and MIDI Designer?
Touch Portal targets the same button-controller space but leans toward a consumer audience—slicker onboarding, shallower device integrations, subscription pricing. MIDI Designer is MIDI-first and excellent for music-production rigs but has almost no broadcast-AV module support. Companion is unambiguously the most capable option for professional live-production contexts, with deeper device integrations and a more active module ecosystem than either alternative. The trade-off is a steeper initial learning curve; expect an afternoon of configuration before your first show.
What are the best Bitfocus Companion alternatives?
For broadcast and live-events control: Irisdown Companion is a lesser-known competitor with a similar philosophy. Loupedeck hardware ships with proprietary software that covers creative apps well but has thin broadcast integrations. QLab handles theatrical show-control beautifully but is macOS-only and cue-oriented rather than button-grid-oriented. For lightweight personal streaming setups, Touch Portal or the native Elgato Stream Deck app remain practical choices. Nothing else in the free-and-open-source category matches Companion's breadth of professional AV device support.
