Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is my take on an open source alternative for a Stream Deck. Stream Deck starts at around $120. FreeTouchDeck on the other hand can be built for less then $20! It can be used to create pages of hotkeys to control software like OBS, or your favorite design software, or just shortcuts to speed up common tasks.
Although still in the early stages of development you are welcome (and very much encouraged!) to give it a try and/or join the development!
Update: The ESP32 TouchDown, a board design for FreeTouchDeck but with capacitive touch, battery management and more is available on Tindie: tindie.com/products/dustinwattsnl/esp32-touchdown
Instructables (Step by Step): instructables.com/A-Bluetooth-ESP32-TFT-Touch-Macro-Keypad
To build your own you'll need two things:
- A 38-pin ESP32-WROOM-32 Development Board*
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Def2T53 (Use the 38 pin version, if you plan to use the combiner board)
Amazon: amzn.to/3SeLJ18
- An ILI9488 TFT screen with XPT2046 touch controller*
AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCWJWnH
Amazon: amzn.to/3Bd3WoM
Koriwi's FreeDeck:
github.com/koriwi/freedeck-ino
Adam Welch's video about FreeDeck:
youtube.com/watch?v=-3Zw8hbpVq4
Brian Lough's video about ESP32-BLE-Keyboard:
youtube.com/watch?v=4sIkW7wogrE
If you like what I am doing please consider supporting me on Patreon: patreon.com/dustinwatts
Some of the tools and gear I use:
(Affiliate links, you pay nothing more, but I earn some)
-------------------------------------
★ TS100 Soldering Iron
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEYkcNx
amzn.to/3mbp1fF
★ Andonstar AD407 Microscope
bit.ly/3CRhV3p
★ TopDon TC004 handheld thermal camera
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omfk5er
★ Sony IMX307 sensor Mircoscope:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ddlex8D
★ Flux Paste NC-559 (Amtech style)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeXmkSd
amzn.to/3m0THAv (similar item)
★ Mechanic Leaded Solder 63/37 (0.2 to 1.0mm)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDLtVP3
amzn.to/3Mo2HdL (MG Chemicals, way better solder)
★ Flush Cutter 170 (Plato style)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DnLSGV7
amzn.to/3ZDT1yz
★ Silicone Solder Mat
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DlKec0h
amzn.to/3K7aGJq
★ FS-D3 Wire Stripper
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dmwu0Wz
amzn.to/413LXMZ
★ Soldering Iron Brass Tip Cleaner
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdqegmN
amzn.to/3GgRojH
★ Solder Wick with flux (1.0 to 4.0mm)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DD4rYqH
amzn.to/435ltMz
★ Digital Calipers
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdFIwWH
amzn.to/40zEZzj
Get in touch with me:
----------------------------------
Discord: discord.gg/RE3XevS
Twitter: twitter.com/DustinWattsNL
Facebook: facebook.com/dustin.watts.utrecht
-----------------------------------
#FreeTouchDeck
Links marked with a * are affiliate links. This means that I get a small percentage of what you pay. You do not pay extra, but is it a nice way to support the channel ;)
This is my take on an open source alternative for a Stream Deck. Stream Deck starts at around $120. FreeTouchDeck on the other hand can be built for less then $20! It can be used to create pages of hotkeys to control software like OBS, or your favorite design software, or just shortcuts to speed up common tasks.
Although still in the early stages of development you are welcome (and very much encouraged!) to give it a try and/or join the development!
Update: The ESP32 TouchDown, a board design for FreeTouchDeck but with capacitive touch, battery management and more is available on Tindie: tindie.com/products/dustinwattsnl/esp32-touchdown
Instructables (Step by Step): instructables.com/A-Bluetooth-ESP32-TFT-Touch-Macro-Keypad
To build your own you'll need two things:
- A 38-pin ESP32-WROOM-32 Development Board*
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Def2T53 (Use the 38 pin version, if you plan to use the combiner board)
Amazon: amzn.to/3SeLJ18
- An ILI9488 TFT screen with XPT2046 touch controller*
AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCWJWnH
Amazon: amzn.to/3Bd3WoM
Koriwi's FreeDeck:
github.com/koriwi/freedeck-ino
Adam Welch's video about FreeDeck:
youtube.com/watch?v=-3Zw8hbpVq4
Brian Lough's video about ESP32-BLE-Keyboard:
youtube.com/watch?v=4sIkW7wogrE
If you like what I am doing please consider supporting me on Patreon: patreon.com/dustinwatts
Some of the tools and gear I use:
(Affiliate links, you pay nothing more, but I earn some)
-------------------------------------
★ TS100 Soldering Iron
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEYkcNx
amzn.to/3mbp1fF
★ Andonstar AD407 Microscope
bit.ly/3CRhV3p
★ TopDon TC004 handheld thermal camera
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omfk5er
★ Sony IMX307 sensor Mircoscope:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ddlex8D
★ Flux Paste NC-559 (Amtech style)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeXmkSd
amzn.to/3m0THAv (similar item)
★ Mechanic Leaded Solder 63/37 (0.2 to 1.0mm)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDLtVP3
amzn.to/3Mo2HdL (MG Chemicals, way better solder)
★ Flush Cutter 170 (Plato style)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DnLSGV7
amzn.to/3ZDT1yz
★ Silicone Solder Mat
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DlKec0h
amzn.to/3K7aGJq
★ FS-D3 Wire Stripper
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dmwu0Wz
amzn.to/413LXMZ
★ Soldering Iron Brass Tip Cleaner
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdqegmN
amzn.to/3GgRojH
★ Solder Wick with flux (1.0 to 4.0mm)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DD4rYqH
amzn.to/435ltMz
★ Digital Calipers
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdFIwWH
amzn.to/40zEZzj
Get in touch with me:
----------------------------------
Discord: discord.gg/RE3XevS
Twitter: twitter.com/DustinWattsNL
Facebook: facebook.com/dustin.watts.utrecht
-----------------------------------
#FreeTouchDeck
Links marked with a * are affiliate links. This means that I get a small percentage of what you pay. You do not pay extra, but is it a nice way to support the channel ;)
