The X-Mouse Button Control Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about X-Mouse Button Control in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
X-Mouse Button Control
The Insider’s Guide
Free Windows tool that remaps mouse buttons per application
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from X-Mouse Button Control’s own pages.
Made by Phillip Gibbons · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from X-Mouse Button Control’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on X-Mouse Button Control’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 69 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade
X-Mouse Button Control (XMBC) is a free Windows tool for remapping mouse buttons and the scroll or tilt wheel. You create profiles for specific applications or windows, each with up to 10 layers of button settings. The author describes it as a hobby project and takes optional donations.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about X-Mouse Button Control, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Profiles, layers and functions to set up before it is useful.
- 1
Best for free mouse button remapping on Windows
X-Mouse Button Control is a free Windows tool that remaps mouse buttons and the wheel per app, with up to 10 layers.
- 2
It is free
X-Mouse Button Control has no paid plan at all. Free, with no paid edition. The author accepts optional donations and says donations do not buy features or support.
- 3
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 4
Application and window profiles
Mouse behavior can differ per application or window, and profiles activate automatically as the pointer moves over the defined target.
- 5
Layers
Each profile can hold up to 10 layers of button configurations, switched with hot-keys or mouse buttons.
- 6
Many button functions
Includes simulated keystrokes, button chording, timed actions by hold length, launching programs, clipboard and media control.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 69 of 186
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
X-Mouse Button Control is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
X-Mouse Button Control at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- Phillip Gibbons, since 2005
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for free mouse button remapping on Windows
X-Mouse Button Control is a free Windows tool that remaps mouse buttons and the wheel per app, with up to 10 layers. But it supports mice with up to 5 buttons, it runs on Windows only, and the author calls it a hobby project with no support guarantee.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free, with optional donations that buy no features or support. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole program is free, with a portable version. |
| Features | C | Per-app profiles, 10 layers, many button functions and wheel actions. It supports mice up to 5 buttons only, because of how Windows passes them on. |
| Ease of use | C | Profiles, layers and functions to set up before it is useful. No store rating is on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows 10, 11 and Server 2012 R2 to 2022 only. No Mac or Linux version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who X-Mouse Button Control is for
- Fits if you want extra buttons on a Windows mouse doing different things per app
- Works for people who like a portable program
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux, as only Windows is listed
- Not for you if your mouse has more than 5 buttons
- Watch out: the author calls it a hobby project and can't guarantee support
- Too light for you if you want a vendor-backed mouse suite
Good to know
Good for
- Windows users who want extra mouse buttons to do different things in different apps
- Gamers whose games ignore the 4th and 5th mouse buttons
- People who want a free tool with no bundled extras
Worth knowing
- Windows only; the author lists Windows 10 and 11 and Windows Server 2012 R2 to 2022 as supported.
- Supports mice with up to 5 buttons, because it relies on the Windows mouse message queue.
- The author calls it a hobby project, cannot guarantee any level of support and is not affiliated with any mouse maker.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
X-Mouse Button Control is free to use.
Free, with optional donations that buy no features or support.
X-Mouse Button Control
$0
Free for Windows, in an installer or a portable version. No bundled software.
The free plan
Free, with no paid edition. The author accepts optional donations and says donations do not buy features or support.
Read from highrez.co.uk on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Free Windows tool that remaps mouse buttons per application. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: screenshots, keyboard and mouse remapping.
- Application and window profiles
- Mouse behavior can differ per application or window, and profiles activate automatically as the pointer moves over the defined target.
- Layers
- Each profile can hold up to 10 layers of button configurations, switched with hot-keys or mouse buttons.
- Many button functions
- Includes simulated keystrokes, button chording, timed actions by hold length, launching programs, clipboard and media control.
- Wheel and screen capture actions
- Remaps the scroll and tilt wheel, can capture the screen or active window to the clipboard, and supports virtual desktops in Windows 10 and 11.
- Portable version
- A portable build is offered beside the installer, and the installer picks the 32-bit or 64-bit version automatically.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
X-Mouse Button Control is made by Phillip Gibbons, and has been around since 2005.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
69/186
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
X-Mouse Button Control's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 69 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 46.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
X-Mouse Button Control has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. X-Mouse Button Control’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 186
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 186
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. X-Mouse Button Control is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
X-Mouse Button Control is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- Keys and buttons remapped below the level of apps.
- Capture tools hooked into the operating system.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. X-Mouse Button Control’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
AutoHotkey, Microsoft PowerToys, BetterTouchTool and SteerMouse
The 4 tools X-Mouse Button Control is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
AutoHotkey
Free
Free, open-source scripting language for Windows automation.
- AutoHotkey is open source, according to its own site.
- X-Mouse Button Control also covers screenshots.
- AutoHotkey also covers workflow automation and text expansion.
- 2.8GPA
Microsoft PowerToys
Free
Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11.
- Microsoft PowerToys is open source, according to its own site.
- X-Mouse Button Control also covers screenshots.
- Microsoft PowerToys also covers launcher, window management and file management.
- 2.6GPA
BetterTouchTool
Free trial · from $15 one-time
Mac input customization: gestures, shortcuts and automation.
- X-Mouse Button Control has a free plan. BetterTouchTool does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only X-Mouse Button Control lists a Windows app.
- Only BetterTouchTool lists a macOS app.
- 2.4GPA
SteerMouse
Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
Mac utility for customizing mouse buttons, wheels and cursor speed.
- X-Mouse Button Control has a free plan. SteerMouse does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only X-Mouse Button Control lists a Windows app.
- Only SteerMouse lists a macOS app.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is X-Mouse Button Control free?
Yes. X-Mouse Button Control is free to use.
How much does X-Mouse Button Control cost?
X-Mouse Button Control lists one plan. X-Mouse Button Control: $0.
What platforms does X-Mouse Button Control work on?
X-Mouse Button Control is available on Windows.
Does X-Mouse Button Control have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. X-Mouse Button Control is listed for Windows.
Does X-Mouse Button Control have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. X-Mouse Button Control is listed for Windows.
Is X-Mouse Button Control open source?
X-Mouse Button Control is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Who makes X-Mouse Button Control?
X-Mouse Button Control is made by Phillip Gibbons. It dates from 2005.
What are the alternatives to X-Mouse Button Control?
The closest alternatives to X-Mouse Button Control in our directory are AutoHotkey, Microsoft PowerToys, BetterTouchTool and SteerMouse.
How does X-Mouse Button Control compare with other desktop utilities?
X-Mouse Button Control's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 69 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 46.
Is X-Mouse Button Control good value for money?
ToolGPA grades X-Mouse Button Control A for value for money. X-Mouse Button Control has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of X-Mouse Button Control?
X-Mouse Button Control is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from X-Mouse Button Control’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Highrez's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Phillip Gibbons. Prices change, so check highrez.co.uk before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- X-Mouse Button Control, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/x-mouse-button-control
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "X-Mouse Button Control: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/x-mouse-button-control
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Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what X-Mouse Button Control’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. X-Mouse Button Control is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Phillip Gibbons. Prices and plans change: check highrez.co.uk before you buy.