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CopyQ vs Maccy

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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CopyQ
CopyQA free, open-source clipboard manager with searchable history, tabs, and scripting.
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Maccy
MaccyFree, open-source, keyboard-first clipboard manager for macOS.
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Overview
Description

CopyQ is a free, open-source clipboard manager that continuously monitors the system clipboard and stores its history so previously copied text, images, or files can be searched and pasted back later instead of being lost after the next copy. Items can be organized into tabs, tagged, and edited directly within the app, and CopyQ can preview images or capture screenshots straight into clipboard history. CopyQ also exposes a scripting API and command-line interface, letting technical users automate clipboard actions, customize commands, and detect or exclude sensitive data such as passwords from being stored. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux (including Wayland), and has been actively maintained by its original developer since 2009.

Maccy is a lightweight, open-source clipboard manager for macOS that keeps a searchable history of everything copied so nothing is ever lost to an overwritten clipboard. It lives in the menu bar and is designed around a keyboard-first workflow, letting users search and paste prior clipboard entries without touching the mouse.

Pricing
Free
Free
Category
Clipboard Managers
Clipboard Managers
Best for
Developers and power users who need a scriptable, cross-platform clipboard history manager
Mac users who want a free, keyboard-driven clipboard manager
Specifications
deployment
Desktop App
Desktop App
open source
Yes
Yes
api available
Yes
No
support options
—
Community (GitHub)
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Free and open source with a long, active development history
  • Works consistently across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Scripting support makes it far more customizable than most clipboard managers
  • Tabs and tagging make managing large clipboard histories practical
  • Completely free and open source forever
  • Minimal, native macOS design
  • Privacy-respecting local-only storage
  • Active GitHub development community
Cons
  • Interface looks more utilitarian than polished modern clipboard apps
  • Scripting features have a learning curve for non-technical users
  • Wayland support has some known platform-specific quirks per its own documentation
  • macOS only, requires Sonoma 14 or higher
  • No cross-device sync between Macs
  • No official mobile companion app
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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CopyQ
CopyQ

A free, open-source clipboard manager with searchable history, tabs, and scripting.

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

CopyQ offers cross‑platform, scriptable clipboard management, while Maccy provides a lightweight, macOS‑only experience; choose based on OS need vs automation depth.

Key differences

  • •Cross‑platform support: CopyQ runs on Windows, macOS, Linux; Maccy is macOS‑only.
  • •Automation: CopyQ includes a scripting API and CLI; Maccy has no API.
  • •Interface: CopyQ uses tabs and a more utilitarian UI; Maccy is minimalist menu‑bar focused.
  • •Resource usage: Maccy is described as lightweight with minimal system impact; CopyQ’s richer feature set may use more resources.
  • •Sync & privacy: Both store data locally, but Maccy explicitly avoids any cloud sync, while CopyQ’s docs don’t mention cloud features.
DimensionWinner

Pricing & value

Both are free and open source, offering comparable monetary value.

Tie

Ease of use / learning curve

Maccy’s minimalist UI is simpler for non‑technical users; CopyQ’s scripting adds complexity.

Maccy

Features & depth

CopyQ provides tabs, image preview, screenshot capture, and a scripting API, exceeding Maccy’s feature set.

CopyQ

Integrations & ecosystem

CopyQ’s API and command‑line interface enable automation; Maccy has no API.

CopyQ

Support

Maccy lists community support via GitHub; CopyQ’s support details are not specified.

Maccy

Security & privacy

Both store data locally with no cloud sync; neither mentions additional security features.

Tie

Scalability / cross‑device

CopyQ runs on multiple OSes, allowing use across diverse machines; Maccy is limited to macOS.

CopyQ

Choose CopyQ if…

Power users or developers needing automation and cross‑platform clipboard management.

Choose Maccy if…

Mac‑only users who prioritize a simple, low‑resource, keyboard‑driven clipboard tool.

Common questions

Is there any cost to use either tool?

Both CopyQ and Maccy are free and open source.

Can I automate clipboard actions?

CopyQ offers a scripting API and CLI; Maccy does not provide an API.

Will the tool work on Windows or Linux?

CopyQ runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux; Maccy works only on macOS (requires Sonoma 14+).