Clipboard manager · alternatives
The best PastePal alternative for Mac
PastePal is $14.99 once. 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. 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 PastePal alternative
Quoted from public reviews and forums. Follow the links for full context.
“The sync is just terrible… I've lost clipboard items because I assumed PastePal was syncing… PastePal doesn't save the clipboard at all unless I open it.”
“macOS iCloud not syncing.”
Our pick
1. SnipVault
Clipboard history, screenshot OCR, and snippets in one keyboard-first Mac app.
| Feature | SnipVault | PastePal |
|---|---|---|
Clipboard history | ✓ | ✓ |
Unlimited history | ✓ | ✓ |
Full-text search | ✓ | ✓ |
Pinboards / collections + tags PastePal has collections, no tags. | ✓ | Partial |
Paste stack (sequential paste) | ✓ | ✓ |
Screenshot OCR (region → text) PastePal recognises text in copied images; no screen-region capture. | ✓ | Partial |
| Price | $29.99/yr or $79 once | $14.99 once |
Top differences only. See the full feature-by-feature table.
- ✓You want hotkey screen OCR, not just OCR on images you already copied
- ✓You want snippets and text expansion
- ✓You want a capture counter so you know nothing was silently missed
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. Copy 'Em
$8.99 once (Mac) · Mac (macOS 14.5+), iPhone, iPad
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.
Best for: You want the cheapest Mac clipboard manager with lists and batch paste
SnipVault vs Copy 'Em →Still with them?
When PastePal is still the right call
- •You want the cheapest one-time price that includes an iPhone app
- •Collections and a paste queue are all the organisation you need
Sources
FAQ
PastePal alternative: questions
What is the best PastePal alternative?+
SnipVault is the closest all-in-one replacement: it covers what PastePal does and adds screenshot OCR and text snippets, for $29.99 a year or $79 once.
Is there a free PastePal 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 PastePal to SnipVault?+
Install SnipVault, press ⇧⌘V, and keep PastePal 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 SnipVault have PastePal's sync problems?+
SnipVault's sync is off by default, secrets never sync, and the app shows a live capture counter so you can see it is recording without opening it.
Switch from PastePal in five minutes
Install, press ⇧⌘V, and keep both apps until you are sure. Nothing is charged during the trial.