Butler Electron is a free, open-source desktop application in the DeFi and DEX category, built for people who want to work with decentralized exchanges from their own Windows computer. It is distributed as a Windows build or installer and written in JavaScript and TypeScript on top of Electron, so it runs as a standalone program rather than a browser tab.
Before you install it, know the project's status. The latest version is v0.1.3, and the last code update was on May 31, 2021. There have been no code updates since then, so treat Butler Electron as a legacy project. It may not keep pace with current network changes, and it deserves extra caution before you connect it to any funds.
What Is Butler Electron and Who Is It For?
Butler Electron is a desktop application in the DeFi and DEX category, meaning it is built around trading crypto assets on decentralized exchanges rather than on a centralized platform. It is aimed at Windows users who prefer a program on their own computer instead of a browser tab, and at people who want to read real code while they learn.
The project suits three kinds of readers. Hobbyists who want a free, local client can try it with small amounts. Developers familiar with JavaScript, TypeScript or Electron can study how a desktop wrapper handles blockchain interactions. Researchers and writers covering DEX software can use the public repository as a reference. Anyone who needs a supported, updated product should look elsewhere, as explained in the comparison section below.
How Decentralized Exchanges Differ From Centralized Ones
On a centralized exchange, a company holds your funds and matches your orders on its own servers. On a decentralized exchange, you usually keep control of your keys and trades settle on a blockchain. That change brings more freedom and more responsibility: if you send funds to the wrong address or approve a bad transaction, there is often no support desk to reverse it.
DEXs use different designs to match trades. Some rely on an order book, where buyers and sellers post prices. Others use liquidity pools, where trades run against shared token reserves. Atomic swaps are a third approach, letting two parties exchange coins across chains without a trusted intermediary. Knowing which model a tool uses helps you understand fees, speed and risk before you trade.
Real-World Use Cases for a Desktop DEX Client
A desktop client can make sense when you want a dedicated program that stays separate from your everyday browser. For example, a user who keeps a small test wallet may prefer a standalone app for practice trades, rather than mixing sessions with other websites.
A second scenario is learning. A student comparing DEX designs can install the program in a separate folder on an older laptop, check its hash, and read how the interface calls blockchain services. Nothing in that process requires large sums. The goal is understanding, not profit.
A third scenario is documentation. Someone writing about DEX software can use the public repository to confirm which version is current and when it was last changed, which helps readers avoid outdated tools.
Key features
Open-source code
Free to use
Desktop build for Windows
How to install Butler Electron on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows build
Download only from the official website or from the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/jelly-swap/butler-electron. Avoid mirror sites and file-sharing links, because they can repackage the program with changes you did not expect.
- 2
Verify the SHA-256 checksum
Compare the file's SHA-256 hash with the value published alongside the release, if one is provided. On Windows, open PowerShell and run Get-FileHash followed by the file path. If the hashes do not match, delete the file and do not run it.
-
Run the installer
Double-click the installer, or extract the Windows build to a folder you control, and follow the prompts. Windows SmartScreen may warn about an unrecognized publisher. That warning alone is not proof of a problem, but it is a reason to confirm the hash first.
How to use Butler Electron
The app is a desktop client, so the workflow centers on setup, a small test transaction and careful review of every confirmation. Work through these steps in order:
- Install and launch the app, then confirm that the version shown matches v0.1.3 from the release page.
- Set up any account or key the app asks for, and record any seed phrase on paper stored offline.
- Start with a small test amount that you can afford to lose.
- Read each trade or swap confirmation carefully. Check the asset, the amount, and the destination before you approve it.
- Watch for unexpected prompts, and cancel anything you did not start yourself.
- Close the app when you are not using it, and uninstall it if you stop using it altogether.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be read and reviewed
- Runs as a standalone Windows desktop program
- Source code is available on GitHub for independent checks
- Simple to understand as a learning reference for DEX software
- No code updates since May 31, 2021
- Latest version is v0.1.3, with no newer releases listed
- Development appears stopped, so bugs and compatibility issues may go unfixed
- Security issues are less likely to be patched over time
Is Butler Electron safe?
Butler Electron has not received code updates since May 31, 2021, so it carries more risk than actively maintained software. Download only from the official website or the GitHub repository, then verify the SHA-256 checksum before running the installer. Never type a seed phrase or private key into a third-party website, a pop-up, or a support chat. Treat any message asking for your seed phrase as a scam, even if it looks like it comes from the developers. A matching hash confirms the file is the one that was published, not that the code is free of bugs. Start with small amounts, and check the latest version on the official website before relying on the program.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/jelly-swap/butler-electron. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Butler Electron sits in the same general space as Bisq, ASGARDEX Desktop, Bisq 2 and Komodo DeFi Framework, but it serves a different purpose. Unlike Bisq, which is dedicated to peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading, Butler Electron is a general DEX desktop client. ASGARDEX Desktop focuses on a wallet and DEX for THORChain, and Bisq 2 is the newer generation of the Bisq exchange. Komodo DeFi Framework is an atomic swap engine aimed at developers building their own tools, not at everyday traders. The main difference is maintenance: Butler Electron has not seen code updates since 2021, so readers who want an actively developed option should compare the alternatives first.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.1.3
- Last update
- 31 May 2021
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/jelly-swap/butler-electron
Frequently asked questions
No. The last code update was on May 31, 2021, and the latest version is v0.1.3. Because there have been no updates since then, treat the program as a legacy project. Check the project's GitHub activity page to confirm nothing has changed before you rely on it for transactions.
Yes, the program is listed as free and open source. Free software still has costs to plan for, such as network fees on the blockchains you use and any costs built into the trades themselves. Compare those expenses before sending any funds.
Yes, a Windows build or installer is available from the project's GitHub Releases page. Download the file, verify its SHA-256 hash, then run the installer. Because the project is no longer updated, confirm that it still connects to the services you need before sending funds.
It can be used carefully, but it is not a good choice for large amounts. Development has stopped, so unpatched risks may remain. Download from trusted sources, verify the checksum, never share your seed phrase, and test with a small amount first.
A decentralized exchange lets people trade crypto assets directly from their own wallets, without a company holding their funds. Trades settle on blockchains, so you keep control of your keys but also carry more responsibility for mistakes, since reversals are rare.
This page focuses on the Windows build. Any other platform files appear on the GitHub Releases page, so check there and verify any file you download before you install it.
Verdict
Butler Electron suits readers who want to study a DEX desktop client, or who are already comfortable with decentralized trading and checking software hashes. It is free, open source and available for Windows, but its last code update came in May 2021. That makes it a poor choice for anyone who wants an actively maintained tool. If you need a current option, compare the alternatives below before you install anything.