A free Mac Mouse Fix alternative for switching desktops
If all you want from your mouse is to switch desktops and open Mission Control, you don't need to pay for it.
The short version
Mac Mouse Fix is a well-made app that does a lot: smooth scrolling, button remapping, click-and-drag gestures and more. It has a free trial and then asks for a one-time payment, which is fair for everything it offers.
Scroll Wheel Mission Control does one thing: it lets any basic mouse switch desktops and open Mission Control using the scroll wheel. It's free and open source, forever. No trial, no license key, no paid tier.
Pick the one that matches what you need.
Comparison
| Scroll Wheel Mission Control | Mac Mouse Fix | |
|---|---|---|
| Switch desktops with the scroll wheel | Yes: hold and drag, one desktop per drag | Yes |
| Open Mission Control with a wheel click | Yes | Yes |
| Smooth scrolling | No | Yes |
| Remap side buttons and more | No | Yes |
| Price | Free forever | Free trial, then a one-time payment |
| Source code | Public, MIT license | Public on GitHub |
Mac Mouse Fix details are summarized from its public website and may change. Check macmousefix.com for current features and pricing.
When Scroll Wheel Mission Control is the better fit
- You use a cheap or basic mouse and just miss the trackpad's desktop swipe.
- You want something tiny (about 2 MB) that sits in the menu bar and does nothing else.
- You don't want a trial countdown or a license key.
- You work in Blender or other 3D apps and need the middle button left alone there.
When Mac Mouse Fix is the better fit
- You want smooth, trackpad-like scrolling on a mouse wheel.
- You want to remap side buttons to back/forward, shortcuts or other actions.
- You want many gestures configured in one app, and you're happy to pay for it.
Other free options
- macOS itself: set Mission Control to "Mouse Button 3" in System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Shortcuts…. Clicking the wheel opens Mission Control, but it can't switch desktops by dragging and can't be turned off per app. See every way to switch desktops with a mouse.
- LinearMouse and Mos are free, open source mouse utilities focused on pointer and scrolling behavior. They pair fine with this app.
Try it: about 2 MB, works on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 13 or later.