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CopyQ vs PasteBar

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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PasteBar
PasteBarFree clipboard manager for Mac and Windows for organizing copied text, code, and files.
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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.

PasteBar is a free clipboard management application for macOS and Windows that stores an unlimited, searchable history of everything copied and lets users organize it into custom clips, collections, and boards. It supports text, images, code snippets, links, and files, with syntax highlighting for code and quick-access paste menus from the menu bar or taskbar.

Pricing
Free
Freemium
Category
Clipboard Managers
Clipboard Managers
Best for
Developers and power users who need a scriptable, cross-platform clipboard history manager
Developers, content creators, and professionals who organize frequently copied content
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
  • Free with genuinely unlimited history
  • Cross-platform on both Mac and Windows
  • Syntax highlighting useful for developers
  • Open source codebase
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
  • Pro tier pricing not publicly listed
  • Newer product with smaller community than established rivals
  • No official mobile app
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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Maccy
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PasteBar

Free clipboard manager for Mac and Windows for organizing copied text, code, and files.

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ClipboardFusion
ClipboardFusion

Clipboard manager that cleans, transforms, and syncs your clipboard with macros and triggers.

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ClipClip
ClipClip

Free Windows clipboard manager that stores and organizes up to 1,000 clips.

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Alternatives to PasteBar

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PastePal
PastePal

Native clipboard manager with 75+ text transforms across Mac, iPhone, and iPad

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ClipClip
ClipClip

Free Windows clipboard manager that stores and organizes up to 1,000 clips.

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Maccy
Maccy

Free, open-source, keyboard-first clipboard manager for macOS.

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Paste
Paste

Unlimited clipboard history that syncs across Mac, iPhone, and iPad via iCloud.

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

CopyQ offers a fully free, scriptable, cross‑platform manager with tabs; PasteBar is easier to use with unlimited history and built‑in lock protection, but adds a paid tier.

Key differences

  • •CopyQ provides a scripting API and command‑line interface; PasteBar does not.
  • •PasteBar includes syntax highlighting for code snippets; CopyQ does not.
  • •CopyQ runs on Windows, macOS, Linux (including Wayland); PasteBar only on Windows and macOS.
  • •PasteBar offers lock‑screen/passcode protection for local data; CopyQ only can exclude sensitive items.
  • •CopyQ is completely free open source; PasteBar is freemium with an undisclosed paid tier.
DimensionWinner

Pricing & value

CopyQ is entirely free; PasteBar has a freemium model with a paid tier not publicly priced.

CopyQ

Ease of use / learning curve

PasteBar has a simple UI and no scripting; CopyQ’s scripting features add complexity for non‑technical users.

PasteBar

Features & depth

CopyQ offers tabs, customizable tagging, image preview, and a full scripting API, giving deeper automation capabilities.

CopyQ

Integrations & ecosystem

CopyQ provides an API and command‑line interface; PasteBar explicitly lacks an API.

CopyQ

Support

Both rely on community support; CopyQ has a long development history, PasteBar offers GitHub community assistance.

Tie

Security & privacy

PasteBar includes lock‑screen and passcode protection; CopyQ can exclude sensitive data but lacks built‑in locking.

PasteBar

Choose CopyQ if…

Developers or power users needing scriptable, cross‑platform clipboard management with tabs.

Choose PasteBar if…

Users wanting a simple unlimited‑history manager with code highlighting and built‑in lock protection.

Common questions

Is there any cost to use either tool?

CopyQ is completely free; PasteBar is free for basic use but offers a paid Pro tier (price not listed).

Can I automate clipboard actions?

Yes with CopyQ via its scripting API and CLI; PasteBar does not provide automation capabilities.

Does either product protect my clipboard data with a password?

PasteBar offers lock‑screen and passcode protection; CopyQ can exclude sensitive items but has no password lock.