Growl App Reviews

After a while, CPU usage goes mad and the application needs to be kill manually. Mail and iTunes are not supported natively. Very bad implementation, but the best solution on the market atm if you accept to kill it frequently.

the latest version is very good

Today is 2 years without any updates.

Applications dont appear on the screen. Waste of money.

easily could be a part of the Mac OSX. Simple and usefull Congrats!

Unfurtunately the app keeps on "warning" that there is a new update availabel each day… and acording to the app store I am running the latest version????…

Same is happening with others. Check the app blog.

Awesome software used in conjuntcion with Boxcar action. It does not get 5 stars because it has so many options that may get overwhelming to the average user.

Growl was a very good app… until Apple introduced the Notifications app. Its useful is now very reduced, unfortunately for its developers.

First, thanks for continuing development on this application!!! I think its great!!! Regaring a charge for this app. Im OK with buying an app. Its a little over a dollar for an app I use everyday, which I think is reasonable. However, i think that you should have very clear instructions to users who are upgrading that there will be a charge via the App Store (I followed the upgrade links in 1.2 and there was nothing that warned me of the price unitl I was on the App Store). Also, you should explain why there is now a charge. Growl has been a no cost option for so long, that users have become accustom to its price. The fact that youve changed the price without telling anyone is a problem (not that youve decided to start charging). I think if you put a short explination that you want to continue bringing users this fantastic app, but due to rising development costs (equipment costs, or whatever your costs are), you need to start charging a nominal fee. Users would be more open to this type of explanation that just a SURPRISE! You have to pay now that youve uninstalled the old version!! Best of luck, and keep up the fantastic development!

If you are updating from the free/included previous generation Growl V1.2_, dont (reasons below)… If you are thinking of getting Growl for the first time, read the last section... First, the Growl folks info says you need this new version for Lion, you dont, V1.22 works fully and flawlessly on my OS 10.7 (Lion) Macs and has for months now (and better than V1.3_+). Second, the new Growl V1.3_+ breaks most of the software I have that uses Growl notifications: - For many programs, the Growl notifications no longer work (they worked perfectly with V1.22 on Lion) - If you are techy, you can use their Version Detective app (as they recommend to try fixing these problems manually) but it has bugs and the programs I tried to fix all wound up not being able to even run anymore, giving an error related to the Growl framework and sending a message to Apple about the error, then just shutting down. Fortunately there is a revert option in this utility, that put my software back to its original working condition (though still without Growl notifications working). - Third, Ive found substantial bugs in V1.31+ even without the above issues, lots of problems and conflicts in setting preferences, and there is no documentation (they say there is, but it is really just a feature overview). Caution re this utility - it goes into other software programs on your computer and modifies them - this practice goes against every proper software practice and rule that makes Macs and the software for them better and stable (compared with Windows which allows this - ever have something unrelated break because you instaled something new?) - Also, with Growl V1.22 being free, open source, and supported and included by many software programs/manufacturers (likely and mostly because of being free and open source), the misleading info from the Growl folks re upgrading required for Lion and no hint in all the updgrade notices or online info that it has now become a commercial product which they charge for, I find rather deceiving (everyone needs money to support development, just do it in an honest and open way, and be compatible with the previous version). - And… yes, Im removing V1.31 and reinstalling V1.22 (on Lion) as I need notifications working for all the applications that lost it after the V1.33 paid update. If in the future they make a version that is compatible with all the existing programs that already use and support Growl (and made it popular), then Ill gladly support a paid upgrade (though I find the minimal new features not very well designed and more annoying rather than of any real use). If this is your first time obtaining/using Growl… - Growl is a great and useful product, but most software that uses it already includes Growl as part of their package (at least V1.22, which was free - many wont work with this new paid version). - The list of the applications that use/support Growl (on the Growl site) is no longer valid as most of the applications that work great using the free V1.22 now no longer work with the new V1.3_+ paid version, and their suggested fix for this rarely ever works (in my experience). - Lots of bugs, non-existant documentation for all the settings, etc… read above for further info.

I have used Growl for many years and its great to see that Growl is still open source. Making Growl available via the AppStore (in addition to keeping it open source) is really more like a donation system, and Im very pleased to support other developers. The new notification rollup is a novel idea and the other updates look great. Thanks for the best notification system out there!

Ive been using Growl for as long as I can remember, feels great to easily show a little support. Have some respect!

I love this app. Im new to the whole Mac experience. Bought a new MBP and Im pretty happy with it… notifications were definitely lacking though. This app, with its low cost and customizability… well, lets just say its amazing and does its job to the T. I love the icon and it works perfectly with my messenger app and when I step away from my computer. Thanks Growl. :)

What the…. They notifty you to update Growl (which was a free version). Then direct you to the paid version. When you force buy version 1.3 (two bucks) and install it, you are taken through the preferences and the notified that you have to uninstall Growl 1.2.2. When you do this, both version (including the one you just bought) are uninstalled. You will have to download it again from the app store and install it again. Apparantly this version is buggy too. Thanks Growl….. :( You just ripped me off...

O que é barato é caro, o que é bom custa dinheiro… or in English: What is cheap is expensive, what is good costs money. Also… it should be known that when the tax system fell apart in Rome, the empire crumbled, and the Dark Ages were bestowed on the populous. Well done Apple for bringing us the App Store, Well Growl Team for joining the Eco-system. The future is bright.

I couldnt agree more with the poster below. Entirely unethical practice to offer the unistall without forewarning users the Lion upgrade will cost $ 1.99. Shame on them.

Additionally, please make the current revision of the software open-source again.

Not only did they transition from a free download to a paid app, but it suddenly became unstable as well. Charging a buck or two for it, I dont mind… but it should be MORE robust, not less. Falling back to the previous free version until its fixed.

Ive been a longtime user of Growl, back when I started using Adium to chat on MSN. Growl has improved a LOT over the course of time, but one thing remains constant: Growl is !@#$%^& annoying! The notification lasts just-not-quite long enough when youre trying to read it, and lasts just-too-long when youre busy trying to work and the notification pops up overtop. Walking this divide with such precision for years has been Growl, and I love/hate it for saving/frustrating me like nothing else. If putting the app in the App store means better updates, smoother upgrading, and a higher chance of support in applications - then Id pay $7.99 for it. This is worth $7.99 easily and getting it for $1.99 is a STEAL. To all you haters out there, its fine - nobody said you HAVE to use this version, and the free version can be re-installed and used as long as you want. Thats fine. For me, having benefitted from this essential tool for years, Im MORE than happy to pay a fraction of what this thing is really worth. I cant imagine using OS X without Growl, and putting it in the App Store is DEFINITELY a step in that direction! TLDR; absolutely crucial utility worth $7.99 but available at $1.99 -> GRAB IT BEFORE THEY START CHARGING WHAT ITS WORTH!