How much clipboard history does ClipHistory keep?

ClipHistory saves your last 150 unpinned clips automatically, plus unlimited pinned clips. Pin any item with ⌘⇧V to keep it forever without losing your recent history.

Is ClipHistory cloud-based like Paste?

No. ClipHistory is 100% local and runs entirely on your Mac. Your clipboard history never leaves your device, and no account is required. This makes it ideal for privacy-conscious users.

Can I use my own AI key with ClipHistory?

Yes. ClipHistory lets you bring your own API keys for 5 AI providers: Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, Google, or a custom endpoint. You're not locked into Paste's or any vendor's subscription.

What's the long-term cost difference between ClipHistory and Paste?

ClipHistory is $19.99 as a one-time, lifetime purchase. Paste is $39.99/year. After 3 years, you'll have paid $119.97 for Paste versus $19.99 for ClipHistory—a $100 difference.

ClipHistory vs Paste: Which Clipboard Manager Is Right for macOS?

Your clipboard is one of the most-used features on macOS, yet Apple's native implementation maxes out at a single item. If you've ever needed to paste something from an hour ago, you know the pain of losing clipboard history. Two popular solutions—ClipHistory and Paste—solve this problem, but they take very different approaches.

This guide compares both tools across storage, AI features, pricing, and privacy so you can decide which fits your workflow.

Storage and History Limits

ClipHistory stores your last 150 unpinned clipboard items automatically, plus unlimited pinned clips. This means you can preserve important snippets—code blocks, email addresses, URLs—indefinitely without losing your recent history. Pinning takes one click: press ⌘⇧V, find the clip, and pin it.

Paste offers 5,000 clips in its free tier and unlimited with a paid subscription. On the surface, this sounds like more, but there's a catch: Paste syncs across devices via cloud, which some users prefer but others avoid for privacy reasons.

If you work with code, design assets, or frequently reference the same snippets, ClipHistory's pinning system becomes powerful—you're not competing with thousands of items for what you actually need.

AI-Powered Transformations

Both tools recognize what's on your clipboard. ClipHistory auto-detects 8+ clip types: URLs, emails, code, colors, phone numbers, images, and more. Once detected, you unlock AI transforms.

ClipHistory's AI:

Summarize, translate, rewrite, or clean any clip
Choose from 5 providers: Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT-4), DeepSeek, Google Gemini, or custom endpoints
Bring your own API key—no subscription lock-in
Transforms run locally on your Mac; no clips leave your machine unless you send them to an AI service of your choice

Paste's AI:

Offers AI features but requires a subscription and uses Paste's chosen providers
Less flexibility around which AI service you use

For users who already pay for Claude or ChatGPT, ClipHistory's bring-your-own-key model means you don't pay twice.

Organization Tools

ClipHistory:

Snippets: save templates for repeated content
Custom Boards: organize clips by project, category, or workflow
Paste Stack: queue multiple clips for sequential pasting
Everything stays on your Mac

Paste:

Clipboard sync and team features (if using the subscription)
Cross-device access via iCloud or Paste's cloud
Designed for collaboration and multi-device workflows

If you work alone or prioritize privacy, ClipHistory's local-only approach is cleaner. If your team shares clips or you use multiple devices, Paste's sync may appeal.

Privacy and Data Security

ClipHistory: 100% local, no cloud, no account.

Your clipboard history never leaves your Mac
No account creation required
No subscription renewal to worry about
All data is encrypted on your device by default

Paste: Cloud-synced by default.

Clips sync to Paste's servers for multi-device access
You can use a local-only mode if you disable sync, but the default is cloud
Requires an account

For macOS-only users who value privacy, ClipHistory's offline-first design removes any concern about clipboard data being hosted elsewhere.

Pricing Comparison

Feature	ClipHistory	Paste
Cost	$19.99 lifetime (one payment)	Free (limited); $39.99/year (Pro)
Renewal	Never	Annual subscription
AI Transforms	Included; bring your key	Pro tier only
Cloud Sync	No	Yes (Pro)
Team Features	No	Yes (Pro)
Local-Only	Yes, always	Optional
macOS Versions	Universal; current OS	Universal

ClipHistory's $19.99 lifetime license is a one-time purchase. Paste's $39.99/year adds up to $80 after two years. If you plan to use either tool for 3+ years, ClipHistory becomes the more economical choice.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose ClipHistory if you:

Work primarily on one Mac
Want absolute privacy and no cloud
Value simplicity and a one-time cost
Already subscribe to an AI service (Claude, ChatGPT) and want to use your own key
Appreciate pinning frequently-used snippets over searching through thousands

Choose Paste if you:

Sync across Mac, iPad, and iPhone
Collaborate with a team and need shared clip boards
Prefer managed cloud sync over local storage
Don't mind a recurring subscription

The Bottom Line

ClipHistory and Paste are both solid clipboard managers, but they serve different needs. ClipHistory prioritizes privacy, affordability, and simplicity for solo macOS users. Paste prioritizes sync, collaboration, and cross-platform access.

For a macOS-first workflow where privacy and lifetime value matter, Get ClipHistory — $19.99 and enjoy unlimited clipboard history with zero subscription overhead.