The basics
What is Nebula?
A Windows app that changes what your controller does. Buttons, sticks and triggers can press keys, click and move the mouse, or drive a virtual Xbox 360 / DualShock 4 controller — so any controller works in games and apps that expect something else.
Is it really free?
Yes. Remapping, combos, the virtual controller, unlimited profiles and per-game switching are free with no time limit and no account. Pro adds gyro aiming, layers, macros, radial menus, the crosshair, keyboard-and-mouse input and hiding the real controller.
Which Windows versions?
Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit, with Microsoft's free .NET 8 Desktop Runtime.
Which languages?
English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese and Korean. Switch any time from the title bar; the whole app changes at once.
Where are my profiles stored?
In %LocalAppData%\NebulaControllerMapper, as JSON files. Use Profiles → Export to back one up or share it.
Pro and billing
How much is Pro?
$7.99 a month or $59.99 a year, plus tax where it applies. The first 7 days are free.
Why a subscription?
Controllers, games and Windows keep changing, and so does Nebula. A subscription pays for that work without splitting features into paid add-ons: everything Pro gets later is included, and you can stop paying whenever you like.
How do I activate Pro?
After checkout you get a license key by email. In Nebula, open Settings → Subscription, paste the key and press Activate. Step by step
How many PCs?
2 at the same time. Free a PC with "Deactivate this PC" in Settings; if that PC is gone, email us and we'll free its slot.
What happens when I cancel?
Pro stays on until the end of the period you paid for. Then Nebula becomes the Free version again; your Pro settings stay in your profiles and switch back on if you return.
Refunds?
Within 14 days of a payment, for any reason. Refund policy
Does Pro work offline?
Yes. Nebula checks the subscription at start and once a day; without a connection, Pro keeps working for 7 days after the last successful check.
Controllers and games
Is my controller supported?
Xbox controllers through XInput; DualSense, DualShock 4, Switch Pro, Joy-Con, 8BitDo and most HID pads through the bundled SDL 3. Full list
Do I need to install drivers?
Not for remapping to keyboard and mouse. The virtual controller needs the free ViGEmBus driver; hiding your real controller needs the free HidHide driver. Nebula tells you and links to them when a feature needs one.
Games react to my controller twice. Why?
With the virtual controller on, some games read both your real pad and Nebula's virtual one. Turn on "Hide the real controller" (Pro, needs HidHide), then start the game after the mapper is on.
Does Nebula add input lag?
It reads your controller 1,000 times a second. On our test machine a press reached a game through the virtual controller in 1.0 ms (median) — well under a single frame at 240 fps.
Will I get banned?
It depends on the game. Single-player and casual games are fine; some competitive games with kernel anti-cheat block virtual controllers or simulated input, and many forbid macros and turbo. Read this before playing online
How is Nebula different from Steam Input?
Steam Input is great for games you launch through Steam. Nebula works everywhere on Windows — Game Pass, Epic, Battle.net, emulators, the desktop — and adds keyboard-and-mouse input, a crosshair overlay and per-game profiles that follow the window in front.
How is Nebula different from DS4Windows?
DS4Windows is a well-loved free tool for PlayStation and Nintendo pads. Nebula reads Xbox pads too, and adds radial menus, 10 layers, a macro editor, a crosshair overlay, keyboard-and-mouse input and seven languages.
Does it work with exclusive full-screen games?
Mapping does. The crosshair and radial-menu overlays need windowed or borderless mode, because exclusive full screen draws over every window.