Clipy vs PasteNow (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Clipy grades higher than PasteNow: 2.8 against 2.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Clipy grades higher on value for money and the free plan. PasteNow grades higher on platforms. They get the same grade on features and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
PasteNow
Clipboard manager for macOS and iOS with iCloud sync
Free trial · from $7.99
Which one is for you
Pick Clipy if
- Fits if you want a free clipboard history on a Mac
- Works for people who paste the same snippets a lot
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Windows or Linux, as it is Mac only
- Not for you if you want history on your phone too, as there is no sync
- Watch out: it needs macOS 13.0 or later
- Watch out: updates depend on volunteers, as it is funded by donations
Pick PasteNow if
- Fits if you want clipboard history on both a Mac and an iPhone
- Works for people who sort clips into lists
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Windows or Android, as it is Apple only
- Watch out: it needs macOS 14.6 or iOS 17.6 or later
- Watch out: iOS cannot record the clipboard in the background, according to a user review
- Watch out: the website's license price loads by script, so only the App Store price is certain
How we grade them
| 2.8GPAClipyGood | 2.4GPAPasteNowFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree for every feature, with no plan to charge. Donations optional. | C$7.99 as an in-app purchase, but the listing does not show whether it is one-time or recurring, so it sits in the middle. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree outright, with no paid tier and no feature held back. | C14-day trial, then paid. No free plan, and the listing does not say whether a card is needed. |
| Features | CClipboard history, shortcuts and snippets. It does that job fully, but it is a smaller job and there is no sync. | CLists, iCloud sync, keyboard control, exclusion rules and editing. A review says iOS cannot record the clipboard in the background. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record, but you install it and use it with nothing to set up. | BNo rating on record that counts, but you install it and use it. |
| Platforms and integrations | DMac only, macOS 13 or later. No Windows, Linux, phone or web version. | BMac and iPhone, with iCloud sync. No Windows, Android or web. |
| Best for | clipboard history on a Mac | a clipboard manager across Mac and iPhone |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Clipy and PasteNow. How we grade
Where they differ
- Clipy is open source, according to its own site.
- Clipy also covers text expansion.
- PasteNow also covers templates.
In commonmacOSKeyboard-firstClipboard managerMenu bar app
At a glance
| Clipy | PasteNow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free trial |
| Starts at | Free | $7.99 (PasteNow Pro, App Store in-app purchase) |
| Free plan | Every feature is free; the site says there are no plans to charge for them. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | 14-day free trial |
| macOS | ||
| iOS | ||
| Made by | Clipy Project | Tutu Studio |
| Price read from | clipy-app.com | apps.apple.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Clipy
- Runs on macOS 13.0 or later only; there is no Windows, Linux or mobile version.
- The site lists no cross-device sync, so history stays on one Mac.
- Funded by donations, so support and update pace depend on volunteers.
PasteNow
- Requires macOS 14.6 or iOS 17.6 or later, with an older version offered for older Macs.
- A user review on the App Store says iOS cannot record the clipboard in the background.
- The website's license price loads by script and could not be read; only the App Store price is shown.
Key features
Clipy
- Clipboard history
- Keeps what you copy, extending the clipboard beyond a single item, with support for plain text, images and other formats.
- Keyboard shortcut access
- Open the history menu with a shortcut and pick an earlier item to paste, without leaving the keyboard.
- Snippets
- Save frequently used text as snippets and paste it whenever you need it.
- Open source
- The code is public and the site invites bug reports, feature requests and pull requests through its issue tracker.
PasteNow
- Lists and smart lists
- Organize clippings into lists, or use Smart Lists with conditions to sort what you collect automatically.
- iCloud sync
- Syncs clipboard records between macOS and iOS devices through iCloud.
- Keyboard control
- Full keyboard operation with custom shortcuts in settings; the App Store listing says the paste shortcuts are macOS only.
- Exclusion rules
- Exclude chosen apps, or use other rules, so only data you want to keep is collected.
- Preview and edit
- Press Space to preview the original content, and right-click to edit it before pasting.
Plans
Clipy
Free$0
All features at no cost; donations through Open Collective or GitHub Sponsors are optional.
PasteNow
PasteNow Pro$7.99
App Store in-app purchase; billing period not shown
Unlocks the app after the trial; the website license covers up to 5 devices for one user.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Clipy or PasteNow?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Clipy is free, and PasteNow starts at $7.99 (PasteNow Pro, App Store in-app purchase).
Which has a free plan, Clipy or PasteNow?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Clipy has a free plan. PasteNow does not, though it has a free trial.
Which platforms do Clipy and PasteNow run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only PasteNow lists an iOS app. Both list a macOS app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.