ClipKeep vs Maccy: which Mac clipboard manager is right for you?
Maccy is a great free, open-source clipboard manager — fast, native, and keyboard-driven, focused on text. ClipKeep covers the same essentials and adds rich previews, sticky notes, and sync, with a more designed interface. If you want free and minimal, Maccy is excellent; if you want previews, notes, and sync, ClipKeep is built for that.
Maccy and ClipKeep solve the same core problem — a clipboard that remembers more than one thing — from different angles. Maccy optimizes for free, open, and minimal. ClipKeep optimizes for previews, notes, sync, and design. Here is the honest breakdown.
Side by side
| Feature | ClipKeep | Maccy |
|---|---|---|
| Searchable history | ||
| Open source | — | |
| Rich link / color previews | Basic | |
| Sticky notes | — | |
| Cross-device sync | — | |
| Designed, polished UI | Minimal | |
| Price | Subscription, 7-day trial | Free |
Choose Maccy if…
- •You want a free, open-source, no-frills clipboard history.
- •You live in the keyboard and mostly copy plain text.
- •You prefer the lightest possible menu-bar utility.
Choose ClipKeep if…
- You want rich previews for links, images, and colors.
- You want sticky notes alongside your clipboard.
- You want your notes to sync across your Macs.
- You care about a designed, native-premium interface.
Questions
Is Maccy free?
Yes — Maccy is free and open source. ClipKeep is a paid subscription with a free trial; the trade-off is previews, sticky notes, sync, and a more designed interface.
What does ClipKeep add over Maccy?
Rich previews (links, images, colors), built-in sticky notes, cross-device sync secured by device attestation, and a polished native UI. Maccy stays lean and text-focused.
Are both native Mac apps?
Yes. Both are native macOS apps that live in the menu bar and open over whatever you are working in. Neither is an Electron wrapper.