mousemap review
A focused open-source remapper for Mac users who need extra mouse-button actions.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
mousemap is an open-source desktop utility for macOS users who want to assign custom actions to mouse buttons, including extra side buttons. Built in Swift, it intercepts mouse-button presses through a macOS event tap and maps them to keyboard shortcuts or shell commands. That makes it a practical fit for solo users and small teams with a specific remapping need, especially when a standard mouse driver does not provide the desired action.
The project offers several ways to manage the configuration. A menu bar app provides start and stop controls, configuration access, reload support, and a settings editor for adding, editing, and removing mappings. Advanced users can work with a JSON configuration file at a configurable path, while the command-line interface provides verbose button-event output. Optional pass-through preserves the original click, and start-at-login support is provided through a macOS LaunchAgent.
mousemap is free and open source, but its value comes from focused control rather than a broad customization suite. It suits Mac users who need button-to-shortcut or button-to-command mappings and are comfortable granting Accessibility permission and managing a compact configuration. Users seeking a wider mouse-management system should choose an alternative if they need cross-platform support, dedicated macro recording, per-application profiles, onboard device memory, polling-rate control, or sensitivity settings.
mousemap pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Maps extra mouse buttons to shortcuts or shell commands
- Includes menu bar app, settings editor, CLI, and verbose mode
- Supports JSON configuration, pass-through clicks, and start-at-login
- Where it doesn't
- macOS-only, with no Windows or other operating-system support
- Focused on button remapping rather than broader mouse customization
- Requires Accessibility permission for the app
mousemap fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update