PastePaw review
A capable local clipboard manager with search, collections, and optional AI tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
PastePaw is a desktop clipboard manager for macOS and Windows, designed for people who regularly reuse text, code, images, and other data formats. It stores clipboard history locally, supports unlimited history and search, and organizes saved clips through collections. Multi-select paste, drag-and-drop filing, previews, configurable ignored applications, and transformation tools make it suited to users who want more control than a basic clipboard history. Its positioning is strongest for local organization with optional AI assistance, rather than cloud-based access across devices.
The free plan includes unlimited clipboard history, search across saved items, all 18 clip tools, standard collections, and multi-select paste and drag. The paid Pro plan is listed at $2.99 per month or $19.99 per year, adding smart collections, secure collections, a local MCP server, AI actions, and all themes. A Pro Lifetime option costs $29.99 one time and includes Pro features with lifetime access. Custom AI actions use the user’s own API key, while the local MCP server is available on macOS for authorized AI agents. The plan structure gives free users a substantial clipboard workflow before requiring an upgrade.
PastePaw’s local approach is a clear fit for users who prefer clipboard data to remain on-device. The macOS application does not synchronize clips to the cloud, and encrypted secure collections are available on macOS. Smart collections can apply automatic filing rules, while the macOS-only MCP access extends clipboard workflows to authorized AI agents. Windows is presented as a separate free and open-source codebase with unlimited history and smart search, so the experience is not fully uniform across platforms. Choose PastePaw for local clip organization, search, and AI-assisted workflows; choose another clipboard manager if cross-device synchronization is central to your workflow.
PastePaw pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Unlimited clipboard history and search
- Collections, transformations, and multi-select paste
- macOS secure collections and local AI access
- Where it doesn't
- No cross-device synchronization
- Secure collections are limited to macOS
- Mac and Windows apps use separate codebases
PastePaw fact sheet, pricing and score →
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