Paste review
A free, privacy-focused notes app for syncing encrypted content across trusted computers.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Paste is a free, open-source notes and clipboard app for people who want to keep notes, links, code snippets, and clipboard entries synchronized across their own trusted computers. It encrypts content on the device before replication and supports offline access, local search, sealed note rows, and device management. The current desktop platforms are macOS, Linux, and Windows, while iOS and Android are in development.
The pricing is straightforward: Paste is free, with no paid tier structure described in its published product details. That makes its full feature set accessible without a subscription distinction. The security model centers on local-only encryption keys, peer-to-peer synchronization, and optional ciphertext-only relay storage. Users can pair devices with QR codes, short codes, or recovery phrases, then revoke devices and authorize signed operations. Built-in and standalone encryption verification provide additional ways to inspect the encryption setup.
Paste’s main trade-off is platform coverage and product maturity. It is currently a private pre-beta application at version 0.1.0, and its mobile applications remain under development, so it is better suited to desktop-first workflows than to people who need notes available across phones and tablets today. The narrow focus on trusted-device synchronization is useful for privacy-conscious users who want local control, offline access, and encrypted clipboard history. Choose Paste if free desktop coverage and an open-source, end-to-end encryption model are priorities; choose an alternative if mobile availability or a more established product stage matters more.
Paste pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free access with open-source, end-to-end encryption
- Peer-to-peer sync with offline-first note access
- Device pairing, revocation, recovery, and verification tools
- Where it doesn't
- Currently limited to macOS, Linux, and Windows
- Private pre-beta software at version 0.1.0
- Mobile apps are still in development
Paste fact sheet, pricing and score →
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