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Head-to-head · Clipboard Manager Software

CopyQ vs Relic

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score CopyQ #2 in Clipboard Manager Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit CopyQ
Relic #5 in Clipboard Manager Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Relic

CopyQ leads on 0 checks, Relic on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCopyQ · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresRelic · 4 of 4

CopyQ scores higher on our rubric for clipboard manager software: 8.5 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

CopyQ is the better fit for open-source users across desktop platforms. Relic is the better fit for power users wanting OCR and semantic search.

  • CopyQ fits best

    Open-source users across desktop platforms

  • Relic fits best

    Power users wanting OCR and semantic search

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Side by side

Feature CopyQ 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Relic 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.7
Ranking #2 in Clipboard Manager Software #5 in Clipboard Manager Software
Best for Open-source users across desktop platforms Power users wanting OCR and semantic search
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $60/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features CopyQ 2/4 · Relic 4/4
History search ✓ ✓
Cross-device sync Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Snippets Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Rich text support ✓ ✓
Specs
History limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Linux, Windows, macOS Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, web
Our review
Pros
  • Stores text, HTML, images, and custom clipboard formats
  • Adds tabs, filtering, notes, tags, and item editing
  • Supports scripting, command-line access, and custom commands
  • Searches clipboard content by words, dates, meaning, and screenshot text
  • Supports encrypted sync across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web
  • Offers snippets, rich-text retention, secret masking, and self-hosting
Cons
  • Focuses on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop platforms
  • Advanced automation may require scripting or command-line knowledge
  • Its broad feature set may exceed simple clipboard-history needs
  • The Free plan limits sync to 3 devices and storage to 250 MB
  • Mobile apps add items through sharing and platform shortcuts
  • Self-hosting requires you to run the sync server on your own hardware
Our verdict

CopyQ is an open-source desktop clipboard manager for users who want more control than a basic clipboard history utility provides. It monitors the system clipboard and stores copied text, HTML, images, and custom formats across Windows,…

Read the review →

Relic is a clipboard manager for people who need more than a short copy-and-paste buffer. It captures text, images, screenshots, and files, then makes them searchable across supported computers and phones. Its audience is power users who…

Read the review →
  1. CopyQClipboard Manager Software 8.5Free plan
  2. RelicClipboard Manager Software 7.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • CopyQ — where it wins

    • Stores text, HTML, images, and custom clipboard formats
    • Adds tabs, filtering, notes, tags, and item editing
    • Supports scripting, command-line access, and custom commands

    Where it doesn't

    • Focuses on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop platforms
    • Advanced automation may require scripting or command-line knowledge
    • Its broad feature set may exceed simple clipboard-history needs

  • Relic — where it wins

    • Searches clipboard content by words, dates, meaning, and screenshot text
    • Supports encrypted sync across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web
    • Offers snippets, rich-text retention, secret masking, and self-hosting

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan limits sync to 3 devices and storage to 250 MB
    • Mobile apps add items through sharing and platform shortcuts
    • Self-hosting requires you to run the sync server on your own hardware
  • CopyQ8.5/10 · Free plan

    A flexible, cross-platform clipboard history tool for users who want control and automation.

    Visit CopyQFull verdict →
  • Relic7.7/10 · Free plan

    Relic combines searchable clipboard history, encrypted sync, OCR, and self-hosting.

    Visit RelicFull verdict →

More comparisons

All clipboard manager software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update