What happens to my clipboard history if I switch from Clipy to ClipHistory?

You'll start fresh with ClipHistory. It stores up to 150 unpinned clips plus unlimited pinned items locally on your Mac. Press ⌘⇧V to open the history and immediately start capturing new clipboard data. Your pins stay organized and accessible.

Is ClipHistory cloud-based like Paste?

No. ClipHistory is 100% local and runs entirely on your Mac. Nothing is uploaded to the cloud, no account is required, and your clipboard data never leaves your device. This makes it faster and more private than cloud-dependent alternatives.

Can I use AI transforms without paying OpenAI or Anthropic separately?

You can use any of the 5 AI providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, Google, or custom API), but you bring your own API key. This means you only pay for what you use directly with each provider, and ClipHistory never sees your clips. If you have existing credits with OpenAI or another service, you can use those.

Why should I pay $19.99 when Maccy and Clipy are free?

ClipHistory is actively maintained in 2026 (unlike Clipy), offers AI transforms that free tools don't provide, includes custom boards and paste stack functionality, and costs less than most competing paid managers. At $19.99 lifetime with no subscription, it's a one-time investment that pays for itself quickly compared to annual subscriptions like Paste ($99.99/year) or Raycast ($120/year).

Best Clipy Alternative Still Maintained in 2026: ClipHistory for macOS

If you've relied on Clipy for clipboard management on macOS, you've likely noticed its development has stalled. The last significant update was years ago, and it no longer receives security patches or feature improvements. If you're searching for a modern, actively maintained alternative that goes beyond basic clipboard history, ClipHistory deserves your attention.

In this guide, we'll compare ClipHistory with other popular clipboard managers—including Clipy, Paste, Maccy, Alfred, and Raycast—so you can make an informed choice for your 2026 workflow.

Why Clipy Is No Longer Enough

Clipy was groundbreaking when it launched: simple, open-source, and free. However, it hasn't received meaningful updates in years. For modern macOS users, this creates real concerns:

No security updates for recent macOS versions
Limited clipboard capacity and no smart organization
No AI-powered transforms or content analysis
No active support or bug fixes

Users still on Clipy are essentially using legacy software in a modern OS environment.

What Makes a Good Clipboard Manager in 2026?

Today's best clipboard managers offer:

Reliable history storage with smart organization
Content-type detection (URLs, emails, code, colors, phone numbers)
Search and filtering to find clips instantly
AI-powered transforms (summarize, translate, rewrite)
Privacy-first design (local storage, no cloud required)
Reasonable pricing without recurring subscriptions
Active maintenance and regular updates

Let's see how ClipHistory stacks up against the competition.

ClipHistory vs. Other Clipboard Managers

Feature	ClipHistory	Clipy	Paste	Maccy	Alfred	Raycast
Clipboard History	150 unpinned + unlimited pinned	Limited	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Type Detection	✓ (URL, email, code, color, phone, image)	Basic	✓	✓	✓	✓
AI Transforms	✓ (5 providers, BYOK)	✗	Limited	✗	Partial	✓
100% Local/No Cloud	✓	✓	✗	✓	✓	Partial
Custom Boards	✓	✗	✓	✗	✓	✓
Paste Stack	✓	✗	✓	✗	✗	Partial
Lifetime License	✓ ($19.99)	Free	Subscription	Free	$49	Subscription
Actively Maintained	✓ (2026)	✗	✓	✓	✓	✓
No Account Required	✓	✓	✗	✓	✓	✗

ClipHistory: The Modern Alternative

ClipHistory is built specifically for power users who want clipboard management without compromise. Here's what sets it apart:

Smart Organization & Storage
Save up to 150 unpinned clips plus unlimited pinned items. Press ⌘⇧V to open the interface, search instantly, and pin frequently used snippets for permanent access. Everything stays on your Mac—no cloud upload, no account required.

Intelligent Type Detection
ClipHistory automatically recognizes what you're copying: URLs, email addresses, code snippets, hex colors, phone numbers, and images. This means smarter search and better organization without manual tagging.

AI-Powered Transforms (Bring Your Own Key)
Unlike Clipy's zero AI features, ClipHistory includes transformations: summarize long text, translate to another language, rewrite for clarity, or clean formatting. It supports 5 AI providers—Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI, DeepSeek, Google, and custom endpoints. You bring your own API key, so you control costs and never share your clips with ClipHistory servers.

Custom Boards & Paste Stack
Organize clips into project-specific boards. Use Paste Stack to queue multiple clips and paste them sequentially—impossible in Clipy.

Lifetime Ownership
$19.99 one-time payment. No subscriptions. No recurring fees. No surprise price hikes. Compare that to Paste ($99.99/year) or Raycast Premium ($120/year).

100% Private
Everything is local. No cloud sync, no tracking, no telemetry. Your clipboard data never leaves your Mac.

How ClipHistory Compares to Competitors

vs. Clipy: ClipHistory is the spiritual successor Clipy users need. It's actively maintained, adds AI capabilities, and offers better storage with a one-time payment.

vs. Paste: Paste is powerful but cloud-dependent and subscription-based. ClipHistory offers privacy-first design and lifetime pricing.

vs. Maccy: Maccy is lightweight and free, but lacks AI transforms and custom boards. For users who want more, ClipHistory adds professional-grade features.

vs. Alfred: Alfred is a Swiss Army knife, but clipboard management is secondary. ClipHistory specializes in clipboard workflows and costs far less ($19.99 vs. $49+).

vs. Raycast: Raycast is excellent but requires an account and subscription. ClipHistory works completely offline and costs a one-time $19.99.

The Bottom Line

If you're still using Clipy, it's time to migrate. If you're considering clipboard managers in 2026, ClipHistory delivers the best combination of privacy, features, and value. It's actively developed, respects your data, and costs less than a coffee.

Get ClipHistory — $19.99 and upgrade your clipboard workflow today.