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CleanClip alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 29, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave CleanClip: free version is capped at a set number of uses per day, and mac only on desktop; no Windows or Linux version. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces CleanClip, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Maccy currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1CopyQ logoCopyQOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 461.8
  1. CopyQ logo

    1. CopyQTop pick

    Best for: Power users who want a scriptable clipboard manager on any desktop OS

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from CleanClip

    Free, open source and cross-platform, with tabs, scripting and editing of saved items.

    Pros

    • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Tabs, tags and notes for organising clips
    • Command-line and scripting for automation
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Dated, busy interface
    • No built-in sync between computers
    • Scripting takes effort to learn
    Visit CopyQ Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is CopyQ a good CleanClip alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, Windows, macOS 10.15+
    Checked Oct 29, 2026hluk.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Formats
    Text, HTML, images and custom
    Checked Oct 29, 2026hluk.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Scripting
    CLI and scripting API
    Checked Oct 29, 2026hluk.github.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best CleanClip alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Maccy logo

Best CleanClip alternative for most people

Maccy

Free and open source, with a lighter feature set focused on fast search through clipboard history.

CopyQ logo

Best CleanClip alternative for a free option

CopyQ

Free, open source and cross-platform, with tabs, scripting and editing of saved items.

Maccy logo

Best CleanClip alternative for open source

Maccy

Free and open source, with a lighter feature set focused on fast search through clipboard history.

Paste logo

Best CleanClip alternative for Mac

Paste

Visual clipboard history with iCloud sync across Mac and iPhone, sold as a subscription.

CopyQ logo

Best CleanClip alternative for Windows

CopyQ

Free, open source and cross-platform, with tabs, scripting and editing of saved items.

CopyQ logo

Best CleanClip alternative for Linux

CopyQ

Free, open source and cross-platform, with tabs, scripting and editing of saved items.

CleanClip alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to CleanClip?

Maccy ranks first right now. Free and open source, with a lighter feature set focused on fast search through clipboard history. Paste and CopyQ follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to CleanClip?

Yes. Maccy (open source) and CopyQ (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to CleanClip?

Yes: Maccy and CopyQ.

Which CleanClip alternatives work on Linux?

CopyQ runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from CleanClip?

The complaints we hear most: free version is capped at a set number of uses per day; mac only on desktop; no Windows or Linux version; closed source, unlike free options such as Maccy or CopyQ.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces CleanClip, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.