What each tool does
X-Mouse Button Control is a free, lightweight Windows utility that remaps mouse buttons on a per-application basis. It supports up to 5 mouse buttons (left, right, middle, and two side buttons) and offers application-specific profiles that auto-activate when you hover over a window.
MouseKey is a Windows utility that remaps mouse buttons using click cadences — assigning up to 6 different actions to a single button based on how many times you click it (1 through 5) plus a 2-second hold. It includes a built-in hotkey recorder, timed macro playback, button reassignment, unlimited profiles with mouse-based switching, and runs entirely offline from the Microsoft Store.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | X-Mouse (XMBC) | MouseKey |
|---|---|---|
| Actions per button | 1 | 6 (cadences + hold) |
| Click cadence support | No | Yes (1–5 clicks + hold) |
| Buttons supported | 5 (Windows hook limit) | All HID buttons |
| Per-app profiles | Yes (auto-activate) | Manual switching |
| Profile switching via mouse | No | Yes (smart action) |
| Macro recorder | No (simulated keystrokes only) | Yes (with timed playback) |
| Button reassignment | Yes | Yes |
| Button disabling | Yes | Yes |
| Scroll wheel remapping | Yes | Yes |
| Visual hotkey recorder | No | Yes ("Create Hot Key") |
| Setup complexity | Moderate (many menus) | Minimal (visual UI) |
| Installation | Manual installer or portable | Microsoft Store |
| Network required | No | No |
| Price | Free | Freemium (Pro upgrade) |
Where X-Mouse wins
Per-application profiles that auto-activate
X-Mouse's strongest feature is application-specific profiles that switch automatically as your mouse moves over different windows. If you use Photoshop, Excel, and a browser throughout the day, each gets its own button layout without you touching anything. MouseKey requires manual profile switching — you can assign a "Next Profile" smart action to a mouse button, but it doesn't auto-detect which app you're using.
Price
X-Mouse is completely free with no restrictions. MouseKey has a freemium model — the free tier is functional but limits the number of action slots, profiles, and custom hotkeys.
Where MouseKey wins
Click cadences: 6 actions per button vs 1
This is the fundamental difference. X-Mouse maps each button to one action. MouseKey maps each button to up to 6 actions using click cadences — single click does one thing, double click does another, triple click does a third, and so on up to quint click plus a 2-second hold. A basic 3-button mouse with just a middle scroll button gives you 6 programmable actions from that one button. Read the full breakdown of how click cadences work.
Built-in macro recorder with timing
MouseKey includes a visual hotkey recorder — select "Create Hot Key," press any keyboard shortcut, and it's captured and assigned to your button. As of version 2.1, MouseKey also records timed macros that play back with the original timing between keystrokes. X-Mouse uses simulated keystrokes that you have to configure manually through text fields — there's no recorder, and its simulated keys don't always work in games.
Setup and learning curve
X-Mouse is powerful but dense. The UI is a grid of dropdowns and nested menus that takes time to learn. MouseKey's interface is visual and minimal — you see your buttons, pick an action or record a shortcut, and you're done. For users who just want to map a few shortcuts without studying documentation, MouseKey is significantly faster to set up. See the demo video for a walkthrough.
Button support beyond 5
X-Mouse is limited to 5 buttons because it relies on Windows mouse hooks, which only pass messages for left, right, middle, and two side buttons. If your mouse has 6, 8, or 12 buttons, X-Mouse can't see the extras. MouseKey detects HID-mapped buttons beyond the standard 5, giving it broader hardware compatibility — especially for gaming mice.
Privacy
Both tools run locally, but MouseKey is distributed through the Microsoft Store and runs with zero network access, zero telemetry, and no account requirement. X-Mouse is distributed from a personal website with a manual installer. Neither collects data, but MouseKey's Store distribution provides an additional layer of trust through Microsoft's certification process.
When to use which
Choose X-Mouse if you need per-application auto-switching profiles or a completely free tool with no restrictions.
Choose MouseKey if you want more actions per button through click cadences, a visual hotkey recorder, timed macro playback, or a simpler setup experience. It's also the better choice if you have a mouse with more than 5 buttons, or if you want to remap your left and right click to side buttons for ergonomic reasons.
Coming from G Hub or Synapse? If you're looking to replace manufacturer software, check out the G Hub vs MouseKey comparison or the AutoHotkey vs MouseKey comparison for a broader view of how MouseKey fits into the landscape.
Try MouseKey
6 actions per button. Built-in macro recorder. Works with any mouse on Windows.
