Keyboard Maestro vs PopClip

Keyboard Maestro

• Mac users who repeat the same multi-step tasks and want to automate them
• People who prefer paying once per major version to a subscription
• Users who want clipboard history, text expansion and app switching in one tool

PopClip

• Mac users who select text with the mouse and want actions right at the pointer
• Sending selected text to a notes app, task manager or translator in one click
• People who want to add their own text actions with short snippets

Keyboard Maestro

• macOS only; version 11 requires macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later.
• The license covers version 11.x. Later major versions are paid upgrades, which the vendor says it releases roughly every 12 to 36 months.
• There is no free plan: the programs are free to download and try, but continued use requires a license.
• Licensed per user for up to five Macs; customers with ten or more users are asked to contact the vendor for a volume quote.

PopClip

• macOS only. The latest release requires macOS 13.5 or above, and the developer makes no iPhone, iPad or Windows version.
• The Mac App Store edition stopped at version 2023.9; newer versions come from the website, Setapp or Homebrew.
• A Standard License covers 2 years of updates. After that you keep the last version received and need a new license for later ones.
• It does not appear when text is selected with the keyboard alone unless you use its shortcut, and it needs the Accessibility permission.

Keyboard Maestro

Macros built from triggers and actions

A macro pairs one or more triggers with a list of actions, created by hand or by recording. Built-in actions include control flow, conditions and loops, and third-party plug-in actions can be added.

Many trigger types

Macros can fire from a hot key, a typed string, a time of day or cron schedule, an application launching, a folder change, a USB or MIDI device, a Wi-Fi network change or a remote web link.

Clipboard history and named clipboards

The Clipboard History Switcher browses and pastes past clipboard entries, and an unlimited number of Named Clipboards are saved permanently.

Text, image and web actions

Type or paste strings, expand typed snippets, run calculations, OCR and capture images, and work with the front page in Safari or Chrome, including filling in forms.

Application and window control

Launch, quit, show or hide applications, move and resize windows, and switch between running apps and open windows with the Application and Window Switchers.

Scripting and syncing

Macros can run AppleScript, shell scripts and JavaScript, and can be triggered from scripts, a URL or the keyboardmaestro command-line tool. Macros sync across Macs through Dropbox or other file sharing.

PopClip

Appears on text selection

The PopClip bar appears when you select text with the mouse or trackpad in any app. A long press or a keyboard shortcut brings it up without a selection.

Built-in actions

Cut, Copy, Paste, Search, Open Link, Dictionary and Spelling come with the app. Holding Shift cuts, copies or pastes as plain text, and Search can use a custom search URL.

Extensions directory

The directory lists 287 extensions that add actions for translation, notes, tasks, AI tools and more. Extensions installed from it can update automatically.

Snippets and custom extensions

An extension can be written as a plain-text snippet and installed by selecting that text, or packaged as a file. Developer docs cover both formats.

Organizing actions

Actions can be rearranged, renamed, restyled, duplicated with different settings and grouped into folders, and auto-appear can be turned off for chosen apps or websites.

iCloud Sync

Syncs installed extensions, the arrangement of the actions list and each action's settings between your Macs. Sign-ins and API keys sync through iCloud Keychain.

Keyboard Maestro

• Keyboard Maestro 11US$36

  one-time purchase, plus applicable tax

  A per-user license for version 11.x that an individual may use on up to five Macs. Not a subscription; version 11 can be used indefinitely.

• Upgrade to version 11US$25

  one-time upgrade, plus applicable tax

  For owners of any previous version. Purchases made since 1 March 2023 were issued a free upgrade to version 11.

PopClip

• Standard License$12

  one-time purchase, 2 years of free updates (US price)

  Updates for 2 years, after which you keep the last version you received. Personal license for up to 5 Macs, with iCloud sync.

• Lifetime License$32

  one-time purchase, lifetime free updates (US price)

  Never expires and includes all future versions. Personal license for up to 5 Macs, with iCloud sync.

• Setapp subscription$14.99

  per month + tax, for the whole Setapp catalog

  PopClip is also included in Setapp, a subscription that bundles it with dozens of other apps.

Keyboard Maestro

• Other savings

  US$25 upgrade from any previous version

  Owners of an earlier version can buy an upgrade to version 11 for US$25 plus tax instead of the US$36 new-license price.

• Other savings

  Volume discount for ten or more users

  The user manual asks customers with ten or more users to contact Stairways Software for a volume discount quote.

PopClip

• Education

  Half-price Standard License for students

  Students in full-time education can claim a half-price 2-year Standard License, which also brings a 25% discount on a later Lifetime License upgrade.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime License with all future updates

  The Lifetime License is a one-time purchase that never expires and includes free updates to all future versions of PopClip.

• Other savings

  Volume pricing for teams

  Teams and organizations can buy a multi-user license key at a discounted rate by emailing the developer for a quote.

• Other savings

  Free 1-year license on request

  The developer says that people who have used up the trial and cannot afford to buy can email him for a free 1-year license.

• Other savings

  Lower prices in listed countries

  Prices are set 20% or 40% lower in a published list of countries and are applied automatically by location. Other discounts come off that lower price.