Clipboard manager · alternatives
The best Copy 'Em alternative for Mac
Copy 'Em is $8.99 once (mac). Copy 'Em is a dense, feature-rich one-time-purchase clipboard manager with lists, stars, 36 paste shortcuts, and text transforms. OCR and sequential paste are sold as separate apps, and iOS sync needs a subscription. If you are looking for something that does more, costs less over time, or fixes the issues below, here is how the options stack up.
Why people switch
Why people look for a Copy 'Em alternative
Quoted from public reviews and forums. Follow the links for full context.
“It's mostly got the lot, once you can find it all.”
“Worried the developer is not active.”
Our pick
1. SnipVault
Clipboard history, screenshot OCR, and snippets in one keyboard-first Mac app.
| Feature | SnipVault | Copy 'Em |
|---|---|---|
Clipboard history | ✓ | ✓ |
Unlimited history Copy 'Em keeps 1,000 unstarred items by default. | ✓ | ✓ |
Full-text search | ✓ | ✓ |
Pinboards / collections + tags Copy 'Em: stars and lists, no tags. | ✓ | Partial |
Paste stack (sequential paste) Sold separately as Paste Queue. | ✓ | — |
Screenshot OCR (region → text) Sold separately as TextScoop. | ✓ | — |
| Price | $29.99/yr or $79 once | $8.99 once (Mac) |
Top differences only. See the full feature-by-feature table.
- ✓You want OCR, paste stack, and clipboard without buying three apps
- ✓You want snippets and text expansion
- ✓You want a keyboard palette that stays out of the way
Other options
Other clipboard manager to consider
Fair picks if SnipVault is not the right shape for you.
2. Paste
$29.99/yr or $89.99 once · Mac (macOS 14+), iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision
Paste is the most polished Mac and iPhone clipboard manager, with pinboards, iCloud sync, and a Liquid Glass redesign. It has no text expansion, and its 2020 switch to subscription and 2024 price doubling are the loudest complaints in the category.
Best for: You need clipboard history on your iPhone and iPad today
SnipVault vs Paste →3. Maccy
Free (open source) · Mac (macOS 14+)
Maccy is the free, open-source, keyboard-first clipboard manager. It does one job well and deliberately skips collections, snippets, OCR, and sync.
Best for: You want a free, minimal, open-source history and nothing else
SnipVault vs Maccy →4. Pastebot
$39 + $19/yr updates · Mac (macOS 26 only)
Pastebot 3 is Tapbots' July 2026 rewrite: rule-based Pastebins, text filters, stacks, and an MCP server. It requires macOS 26 Tahoe, has no iPhone app, and moved to a paid-updates model that reviewers call steep.
Best for: You want regex rules that file clips automatically
SnipVault vs Pastebot →5. PastePal
$14.99 once · Mac (macOS 13+), iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision
PastePal is a $14.99 one-time Mac and iOS clipboard manager with collections, a paste stack, and image OCR. It is the app Paste users most often switch to, and its iCloud sync is its weak spot.
Best for: You want the cheapest one-time price that includes an iPhone app
SnipVault vs PastePal →Still with them?
When Copy 'Em is still the right call
- •You want the cheapest Mac clipboard manager with lists and batch paste
- •You like dense power-user menus
Sources
- Copy 'Em pricing, checked 2026-09-04
- Mac App Store review (UK)
- MacUpdate review, January 2025
FAQ
Copy 'Em alternative: questions
What is the best Copy 'Em alternative?+
SnipVault is the closest all-in-one replacement: it covers what Copy 'Em does and adds screenshot OCR and text snippets, for $29.99 a year or $79 once.
Is there a free Copy 'Em alternative?+
Maccy is free and open source. SnipVault is paid but offers a 7-day free trial without a card.
How do I switch from Copy 'Em to SnipVault?+
Install SnipVault, press ⇧⌘V, and keep Copy 'Em running alongside it during the 7-day trial. Nothing is charged until you choose a plan, and you can export your SnipVault vault at any time.
Does Copy 'Em do OCR?+
Not in the main app. Apprywhere sells TextScoop separately for OCR and Paste Queue for sequential paste. SnipVault includes both.
Switch from Copy 'Em in five minutes
Install, press ⇧⌘V, and keep both apps until you are sure. Nothing is charged during the trial.