A Maccy alternative for Mac: when Copytrove fits, and when Maccy is enough

Summary

Maccy is a free, open-source clipboard manager that does one job: keep your copy history at hand. Copytrove is a Mac clipboard manager with more built in: filters by type, app and date, pinboards, Paste Stack, on-device OCR and per-app paste rules. If you only need fast history and search, Maccy is likely enough, and it costs nothing. If you want those extra tools and don't mind a Pro purchase for some of them, Copytrove is worth a try.

Comparison

• Price

  MaccyFree; "open source application using the MIT license" ^S1

  CopytroveFree to start; Pro is a one-time $19.99 (1 Mac) or $29.99 (5 Macs), 12 months of updates included

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Focus

  Maccy"does only one job - keep your copy history" ^S1

  CopytroveShelf with cards, filters, pinboards, Paste Stack, OCR

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Pin items

  MaccyYes, pinned items stay on top ^S2

  CopytrovePinboards (3 in Free, unlimited in Pro)

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Password managers

  Maccy"If your password manager removes a copied password from the clipboard, so will Maccy." ^S1

  CopytroveSkips password managers; masks card numbers, IBANs, API keys; free for everyone

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Free history length

  MaccyNot stated on maccy.app

  Copytrove7 days in Free, unlimited in Pro

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Requires

  Maccy"macOS Sonoma 14 or higher" ^S1

  CopytrovemacOS 14 or later

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

Prices and features change. We read each page on 6 October 2026.

Where Maccy is better

• It is free forever and open source. Copytrove's free version keeps 7 days of history; maccy.app states no history limit (it does not give a number either).
• It is smaller and simpler. Maccy says "You won't be overloaded by unnecessary features." If extra features distract you, that is a real advantage.
• You can read the code. Maccy says its "full source code is available" on GitHub ^S1. Copytrove's site does not list an open-source licence.
• Keyboard-first by design. Type to search, press Enter. Copytrove also works from the keyboard, but Maccy built its whole pitch on it.

Where Copytrove may fit better

• You want to filter by type, source app, date or pinboard while you type.
• You paste several items in a row (Paste Stack, a Pro feature).
• You want text and QR codes read out of images on your device (OCR, Pro).
• You want different paste behaviour per app, such as plain text only (Pro).
• You want sensitive-data masking in the free version.

How to switch from Maccy

1. Install Copytrove and open it once. It starts collecting from that moment.
2. Maccy history does not transfer. If you need something old, copy it out of Maccy first.
3. Set the shelf shortcut in Copytrove. Pick one that does not clash with Maccy.
4. Run both for a few days if you like, then quit Maccy and remove it from your Login Items if you added it there.
5. Optional: add apps you never want recorded to Copytrove's excluded apps.

FAQ

Is Copytrove a free alternative to Maccy?

Partly. The free version keeps 7 days of history with full search, up to 3 pinboards and every privacy protection. Unlimited history, Paste Stack, OCR and per-app rules need Pro.

Is Copytrove open source like Maccy?

No. Maccy is MIT-licensed and open source ^S1. Copytrove's site does not list an open-source licence.

Does Copytrove upload what I copy?

No. History is stored on your Mac and OCR runs on the device. There is no account needed to use it.

Can I keep using Maccy?

Yes. Both can run side by side. Use whichever you reach for.