map2 review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

map2 is an open-source input-remapping tool for Linux users who need programmable control over keyboards, mice, controllers, pedals and other input devices. It suits solo users and small teams comfortable configuring software themselves. Rather than focusing on graphical device management, map2 provides configurable event routing, allowing input events to be intercepted, transformed through mapping layers and emitted through physical or virtual output devices.

Its strongest area is mapping depth. The documented feature set covers keyboard remapping, mouse events and movement, controller and pedal inputs, multi-key sequences, text output, chord mappings and Python custom mapping functions. Configurable routing chains add another layer of control for users who need input events to pass through multiple transformations. Virtual input and output devices also support workflows that extend beyond direct one-to-one key replacement.

The trade-off is a narrow platform and a more technical operating model. map2 supports Linux, is deployed as self-hosted software, and is installed through pip, an Arch package or source before being configured with Python. That approach fits users who want open-source control and are comfortable managing their own setup, but it is less suitable for someone seeking a graphical, cross-platform device-management suite. Choose map2 for programmable Linux remapping across several input-device types; choose another category tool if broader operating-system support or a primarily graphical workflow matters more.

map2 pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • Maps keyboards, mice, controllers and pedals
  • Supports sequences, chords and Python mapping functions
  • Routes events through physical or virtual devices
• Where it doesn't
  • Linux-only platform support
  • Self-hosted setup requires Python configuration
  • Community and documentation are the listed support channels

map2 fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update