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Butler free download for Mac

Butler

Version 4.4.7

Hot key, menu, and keyword launcher.

4.6
Based on 99 user ratesRead reviews & comments
$20.00
One-Time Purchase
Buy Now

Butler overview

Butler makes it easier for you to perform a wide variety of potentially recurring tasks. Just arrange these tasks in Butler's fully customizable configuration and assign one or more triggers to a task.

Available Triggers
  • Freely configurable system-wide menus in your menu bar/Butler's docklet
  • Freely configurable pop-up menus -- triggered via hot key or hot corner (see below)
  • Abbreviations -- for example, enter "qt" to launch QuickTime Player
  • Hot keys -- for example, hit [F1] make iTunes switch to the next track
  • Hot corners -- for example, [shift]-[right mouse button click] in the lower left corner of your screen to pop up a menu that lists all system preference panes
  • Events -- for example, launch iChat when Butler starts up and the [option] key is not held
Possible Tasks
  • Launch applications
  • Open files
  • Access preference panes
  • Manage bookmarks
  • Search the web
  • Run AppleScripts
  • Extend the pasteboard
  • Enter text snippets
  • Simulate keystrokes
  • Control iTunes

What’s new in version 4.4.7

Updated on Nov 05 2022

  • Resolved a conflict with System Settings in macOS 13 Ventura. (Hat tip to Junichi C.) On a related note, the "System Preferences" Smart Item currently isn't the prettiest on macOS 13: It displays raw filenames, and it doesn't show individual icons for most panes. This is because the new "System Settings" has been rewritten as a monolithic app, where the file-system-level preference panes are merely placeholders, which makes the whole thing a lot less accessible. We are still pondering ways to deal with this change. In the meantime, the Smart Item works even though it looks like a work in progress.
  • Worked around an issue in recent macOS versions that prevented custom icons from scaling down as expected.
  • Fixed a bug that rendered Butler partially unusable on macOS 10.9. (Nevertheless, we recommend at least macOS 10.10 for modern Butler versions. If you're on macOS 10.9, you might be better off with Butler 4.2.2.)

Information

License

Shareware

Size

2.8 MB

Developer’s website

https://manytricks.com/butler/

Downloads

117077

App requirements

  • Intel 64
  • Apple Silicon
  • OS X 10.9 or later
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  • Comments

  • User Ratings

Colin-☕
Colin-☕
Mar 13 2021
4.4.1
5.0
Mar 13 2021
5.0
Version: 4.4.1
With the recent release of Butler v4.4 I realized I hadn't paid for a single update in over TWELVE YEARS and so happily went and paid for it again. Butler has worked reliably for that entire time and made profound improvements to my productivity. It works as: • a very nice launcher, both by hot-key and app-search. • a “Typinator”-like text expansion tool (I have dozens of shortcuts reliably creating typo-free blocks of code) • an Applescript launcher (and through that: shell script launcher) for dozens of scripts I’ve written to automate my workflow. • a clipboard-history manager allowing me to copy multiple sections from one document, then paste them into another without having to switch back and forth multiple times. ALL that for such a reasonable price is a bargain. Check it out and you’ll probably buy it today. (Maybe buy it AGAIN today! :-) ) FEATURE SUGGESTIONS: • Appending copy-to-clipboard with a configurable “marker” between each copied block. (I wrote one in AppleScript within butler but I bet others would like the feature too!) • If the Docklet could support a “shelf” feature so one could drag-and-drop files/folders to it, which could then later be dragged off it to a new location.
snozdop
snozdop
Mar 13 2021
4.4.1
5.0
Mar 13 2021
5.0
Version: 4.4.1
Over the last decade or more, I've often looked around for something else that may improve upon Butler, but still, even now with almost zero new features for years, I haven't found anything that suits my workflow better than Butler. It still works well, gets occasional compatibility/bug-fix updates, and IMO only really needs dark mode and a UI modernisation to make it perfect. With Rob Griffiths handling customer services now all the ancient company issues are gone. I always get really fast and helpful replies to any queries I have. The people here with long memories should really take another look as they're denying themselves some very useful utilities.
Kästchen der Ordnung
Kästchen der Ordnung
Sep 29 2018
4.2.2
5.0
Sep 29 2018
5.0
Version: 4.2.2
Best Helper ever!
Lvdoc
Lvdoc
Sep 27 2018
4.2.2
0.0
Sep 27 2018
0.0
Version: 4.2.2
Wish it had dark theme, but at least it's now up to 64 bit. It's a great program, but like many reviewers here, I'm not keen on the company.
anonymous-parakeet-3167
anonymous-parakeet-3167
Apr 21 2017
4.1.23
2.0
Apr 21 2017
2.0
Version: 4.1.23
Every few years I check in to see if Butler v.5 has been released. Alas, we are now 9-10 years since the developer said this:

"Butler 5 pre-sale: Support Butler by purchasing Butler 4 now, and you'll receive a free copy of Butler 5 when it ships!"

And the developer has never come clean about this, just quietly removed references to Butler 5 from their web site. Vaporware.

I use Alfred instead. And I refuse to use any of Many Tricks' apps because they are a dishonest company.
Macguruguy
Macguruguy
Sep 24 2016
4.1.22
0.0
Sep 24 2016
0.0
Version: 4.1.22
Doesn't work in 10.12 Sierra
ScienceGuy
ScienceGuy
Aug 10 2016
4.1.22
5.0
Aug 10 2016
5.0
Version: 4.1.22
New version fixes the 10.9.5 bug. Many thanks for the the super-fast update.
Programhappy
Programhappy
Aug 9 2016
4.1.21
0.0
Aug 9 2016
0.0
Version: 4.1.21
Butler 4.1.21 crashes on Mac OS 10.9.5. I've never had a single problem with Butler until updating today from 4.1.20 to 4.1.21.
patriciogomez89
patriciogomez89
Jul 15 2016
4.1.20
4.0
Jul 15 2016
4.0
Version: 4.1.20
Butler does a good job.
learnit77
learnit77
Mar 4 2016
4.1.20
5.0
Mar 4 2016
5.0
Version: 4.1.20
Even without functional updates, Butler is still one of my all time favourite and most useful OSX utilities I use and depend on every day on multiple Macs. Joining Default Folder, SuperDuper and the much missed FinderPop on my must have installed list. A Mac without these feels rather slow, limited and awkward to use. On 10.11.3 and all previous versions - for me - Butler is extremely stable. I do find that on 10.11.# some abbreviation triggers (which I use a lot more than hot keys) get lost or overridden every once in a while and need manually readding but that is the only minor issue. Using almost every feature of Butler with hundreds of custom scripts, web searches, keystrokes, folders, sites, etc. I find it is the only tool that can be configured to do everything I ask of it. Alfred, Quicksilver & LaunchBar have snazzier interfaces but they can't match Butler for real power and functionality. I'd still like to see version 5 add even morel features (I've suggested a few over the years - even before v5 was mentioned) but as long as it remains compatible with the latests OSX I'll be satisfied. Please please do give Butler some 2016 love Many Tricks!
wickedsp1d3r
wickedsp1d3r
Dec 28 2015
4.1.19
0.0
Dec 28 2015
0.0
Version: 4.1.19
I can't even count how many times it crashed during 10-minute test run under OSX 10.11.2. Sad...
artie505
artie505
Oct 4 2015
4.1.19
5.0
Oct 4 2015
5.0
Version: 4.1.19
So sad that this wonderful app has been abandoned...not so much as one functionality update in YEARS!!!
Mac5
Mac5
Sep 29 2015
4.1.19
0.0
Sep 29 2015
0.0
Version: 4.1.19
Over the years I have used this little every day. Its been extremely useful and easy to use. Whenever I update my Mac OS X this is one of the few apps I always keep.
DanDaf
DanDaf
Jul 15 2015
4.1.18
4.5
Jul 15 2015
4.5
Version: 4.1.18
What a useful little app. Using it for many, many years. Can't even think of having to do without it.
artie505
artie505
Mar 22 2015
4.1.18
5.0
Mar 22 2015
5.0
Version: 4.1.18
Has Peter forgotten that a non-App Store compliant version of Butler is a viable option?
Johnk77
Johnk77
Oct 18 2013
4.1.16
4.5
Oct 18 2013
4.5
Version: 4.1.16
The developer's site states version 4.1.16 requires 10.7. The last version for 10.6 Snow Leopard is 4.1.15.
Priosantos Jan
Priosantos Jan
Oct 18 2013
4.1.16
5.0
Oct 18 2013
5.0
Version: 4.1.16
Great app and very useful. Use this daily without any problems. If I could point out something negative it would be the price. It is a bit overpriced imo. About $10 would be more correct. I am pretty sales will go up.
ohmmmmmm
ohmmmmmm
Oct 18 2013
4.1.16
4.5
Oct 18 2013
4.5
Version: 4.1.16
Butler is like an old and dear friend with well-earned wrinkles. Nothing else better IMHO. Still, with this kind of good karma, maybe the developer can dream up a few surprises for v5. Thanks for this update. I am happy to see it is not following in the path of Quickeys, another dear friend that has sadly passed away.
anonymous-parakeet-3167
anonymous-parakeet-3167
Sep 24 2013
4.1.15
2.0
Sep 24 2013
2.0
Version: 4.1.15
Version 5 is still vaporware after all these years. What is it, six years since it was announced? Does anyone else find it disingenuous of the developers to continue to say this: "Butler 5 pre-sale: Support Butler by purchasing Butler 4 now, and you'll receive a free copy of Butler 5 when it ships!" How about an honest update on when Butler 5 is coming out guys?
Stormchild
Stormchild
Jul 27 2013
4.1.15
4.5
Jul 27 2013
4.5
Version: 4.1.15
LaunchBar is my quick launcher of choice (has been for over ten years), but Butler has proven to be a worthy companion. I don't use the abbreviation or search features at all, but there are a number of other features I find really valuable (which no other app seems to provide). Here are a few of the things I use it for: - I've set up hotkeys (F1-F6) that open pop-up menus in the Finder, letting me quickly get to a specific file or folder. If I hold command and hit the same key, it opens the folder directly instead of the pop-up menu. - Shortcuts for rating the current song in iTunes. Shift + [numpad 0-5]. Butler is one of the only apps that can actually distinguish between the regular number keys and the number pad. Obviously shift + regular number wouldn't work, as I'd lose access to a bunch of symbols. - Other iTunes hotkeys: play/pause, next track, previous track. I used to have these in the menubar as well (I think that was even the original reason I started using Butler), but I have a menubar doodad problem, so I don't have space for those anymore. - Hotkeys for menus in apps where custom shortcuts often don't work. There are a number of situations where custom hotkeys set up in System Preferences → Keyboard Shortcuts don't work until the menu has been opened at least once. Needless to say, this is an unacceptable hassle. What I do now is set up the hotkey I want in Butler, and just have Butler type the default hotkey for me. Works every time. The other thing this works well for is menu commands whose name changes. For example, instead of setting up two identical shortcuts for iTunes' "Switch to MiniPlayer" and "Switch from MiniPlayer" commands in System Preferences, I can just set up *one* hotkey in Butler, and don't even have to bother typing the command name at all. Also has the advantage of leaving the original shortcuts intact, which is helpful if someone else is using your Mac. Finally, because you can specify multiple apps for a hotkey, you can set up shortcuts that work in multiple apps. I've got a "Toggle Web Inspector" hotkey that types cmd-shift-i in Safari, WebKit, Chrome, and Firefox, and it does the right thing in all of them. -- Anyway, my point is that Butler does a lot of things really well, and if you explore its features, you can probably find a bunch of uses for it, even if you aren't using it as a quick search/launcher.
Billearl
Billearl
Feb 29 2024
4.4.7
5.0
Feb 29 2024
5.0
Version: 4.4.7
Johnny-K
Johnny-K
Nov 5 2022
4.4.7
5.0
Nov 5 2022
5.0
Version: 4.4.7
Zigang Pan
Zigang Pan
Oct 18 2022
4.4.6
5.0
Oct 18 2022
5.0
Version: 4.4.6
Glenn G
Glenn G
Aug 4 2022
4.4.6
5.0
Aug 4 2022
5.0
Version: 4.4.6
learnit77
learnit77
Feb 12 2022
4.4.4
5.0
Feb 12 2022
5.0
Version: 4.4.4
Ervins Strauhmanis
Ervins Strauhmanis
Nov 21 2018
5.0
Nov 21 2018
5.0
Version: null
Kästchen der Ordnung
Kästchen der Ordnung
Sep 29 2018
5.0
Sep 29 2018
5.0
Version: null
mugsuk
mugsuk
Jun 25 2017
3.5
Jun 25 2017
3.5
Version: null
Old-guy
Old-guy
Dec 27 2016
5.0
Dec 27 2016
5.0
Version: null
ScienceGuy
ScienceGuy
Aug 10 2016
5.0
Aug 10 2016
5.0
Version: null
patriciogomez89
patriciogomez89
Jul 15 2016
4.0
Jul 15 2016
4.0
Version: null
Rikyman
Rikyman
Mar 18 2016
5.0
Mar 18 2016
5.0
Version: null
WetNet
WetNet
Sep 29 2015
0.5
Sep 29 2015
0.5
Version: null
DanDaf
DanDaf
Jul 15 2015
4.5
Jul 15 2015
4.5
Version: null
Haliomaster
Haliomaster
May 14 2014
5.0
May 14 2014
5.0
Version: null
Kgx
Kgx
Oct 19 2013
5.0
Oct 19 2013
5.0
Version: null
Johnk77
Johnk77
Oct 18 2013
4.5
Oct 18 2013
4.5
Version: null
Hervé-5
Hervé-5
Oct 18 2013
5.0
Oct 18 2013
5.0
Version: null
Priosantos Jan
Priosantos Jan
Oct 18 2013
5.0
Oct 18 2013
5.0
Version: null
ohmmmmmm
ohmmmmmm
Oct 18 2013
4.5
Oct 18 2013
4.5
Version: null
Stormchild
Stormchild
Jul 27 2013
4.5
Jul 27 2013
4.5
Version: null
jostyee
jostyee
Jun 28 2013
5.0
Jun 28 2013
5.0
Version: null
VictorPrijker
VictorPrijker
Jun 11 2013
5.0
Jun 11 2013
5.0
Version: null
retech
retech
Oct 17 2012
5.0
Oct 17 2012
5.0
Version: null
Mruben
Mruben
Oct 13 2012
4.5
Oct 13 2012
4.5
Version: null
artie505
artie505
Jul 27 2012
5.0
Jul 27 2012
5.0
Version: null
anonymous-parakeet-3167
Jul 5 2012
2.0
Version: null
neartheredrocks
neartheredrocks
Nov 10 2011
3.0
Nov 10 2011
3.0
Version: null
escompter-qch
escompter-qch
Oct 29 2011
5.0
Oct 29 2011
5.0
Version: null
iMacWare
iMacWare
Sep 23 2011
4.5
Sep 23 2011
4.5
Version: null
Bonobo
Bonobo
Apr 26 2011
5.0
Apr 26 2011
5.0
Version: null
Lambchop1
Lambchop1
Apr 26 2011
5.0
Apr 26 2011
5.0
Version: null
Big-Mac-XXL
Big-Mac-XXL
Jul 15 2010
3.0
Jul 15 2010
3.0
Version: null
Jazzyguy
Jazzyguy
Jun 29 2010
2.0
Jun 29 2010
2.0
Version: null
Maclover1-1
Maclover1-1
May 28 2010
5.0
May 28 2010
5.0
Version: null
Doc-Renaud
Doc-Renaud
May 28 2010
5.0
May 28 2010
5.0
Version: null
asmeurer-2
asmeurer-2
Dec 31 2009
5.0
Dec 31 2009
5.0
Version: null
Mcyukon
Mcyukon
Dec 2 2009
5.0
Dec 2 2009
5.0
Version: null
Bs0d
Bs0d
Jun 12 2009
5.0
Jun 12 2009
5.0
Version: null
Kofasetic
Kofasetic
Jun 30 2008
5.0
Jun 30 2008
5.0
Version: null
$20.00
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