A Paste app alternative for Mac: one-time price, Mac only

Summary

Paste is a polished clipboard manager that syncs across Mac, iPhone and iPad. Copytrove is a Mac-only clipboard manager with a free version and a one-time Pro purchase. If you need your clipboard on your phone, Paste does that and Copytrove does not. If you work on a Mac only and would rather own your tool than subscribe, Copytrove may be enough.

Comparison

• Price

  PasteWebsite: "$2.49/month" or "$29.99 billed annually" ^S7. App Store: $3.99/month, Lifetime Plan $99.99 ^S18

  CopytroveFree to start; Pro one-time $19.99 (1 Mac) or $29.99 (5 Macs)

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Devices

  Paste"Every plan includes Paste on Mac, iPhone, and iPad at no extra cost" ^S7

  CopytroveMac only; macOS 14 or later

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Trial / free

  Paste"Seven days, every feature, all your devices" ^S7

  CopytroveFree version with 7 days of history and no time limit

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• History

  Paste"Unlimited clipboard history, pinboards, search, and sync" ^S7

  Copytrove7 days in Free; unlimited in Pro

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Privacy

  Paste"Your clipboard stays on your device and in your private iCloud." ^S8

  CopytroveStays on your Mac, encrypted at rest; no account needed

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Sensitive apps

  Paste"Set rules so Paste ignores passwords and other sensitive apps." ^S8

  CopytroveSkips password managers, masks card numbers and API keys, excluded apps

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

• Extras

  PasteSuggests what to paste next, "Powered by Apple Intelligence" ^S8

  CopytrovePaste Stack, OCR and QR, per-app paste rules

  Read on: 6 Oct 2026

pasteapp.io lists a Lifetime Plan ^S7 but its pricing page does not show the amount; the $99.99 Lifetime and $3.99 monthly prices are from Paste's App Store listing ^S18. Prices and features change. We read each page on 6 October 2026.

Where Paste is better

• Sync across Mac, iPhone and iPad ^S7. Copytrove is Mac only; iCloud sync is on our "coming later" list, not shipped.
• Shared pinboards for teams. Paste says you can "Share pinboards" with your team ^S8.
• Apple Intelligence suggestions for what to paste next ^S8.
• Free trial of every feature, 7 days, no credit card for the Mac download ^S7.

Where Copytrove may fit better

• You want a one-time Pro purchase instead of a yearly subscription. After 12 months of updates, renewal is optional and the version you own keeps working.
• You want a free version you can keep using, with privacy protections included.
• You use only a Mac.
• You want Paste Stack and per-app paste rules.

How to switch from Paste

1. Install Copytrove. It starts recording from that moment; Paste history does not move over.
2. Copy out any older items you still need, or keep Paste until your current plan period ends.
3. Set a shelf shortcut that differs from Paste's while both are installed.
4. Rebuild the pinboards you use most by dragging cards into Copytrove pinboards.
5. Cancel your Paste subscription only after you are sure. Cancel in the place you bought it (website or App Store).

FAQ

Is Copytrove a free alternative to Paste?

The free version is usable on its own: 7 days of history, search, 3 pinboards and every privacy protection. Pro unlocks unlimited history and more.

Does Copytrove work on iPhone or iPad?

No. It is Mac only for now.

Is Pro a subscription?

No. It is one-time, with 12 months of updates; renewing later is optional.

Can I get a refund?

We refund within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked.