Clipboard managers go beyond basic copy-and-paste functionality by storing a history of copied items. They make it easy to retrieve text, images, or links you’ve copied previously. A good clipboard manager can save time, reduce frustration, and streamline workflows.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best clipboard managers available across platforms, including Android, Google Chrome, iOS, Mac, Microsoft Windows, and Ubuntu Linux. Each platform offers unique solutions tailored to its user base, but the best clipboard managers share common traits:
- Ease of use: Simple interfaces that make accessing your clipboard history intuitive.
- Compatibility: Seamless integration with the platform and apps you rely on.
- Features: Advanced options like syncing across devices, search functionality, and categorization of copied items.
While each platform has standout solutions, TextExpander stands apart as the most versatile option. It offers a robust suite of tools for text expansion, Snippet management, and collaboration—on top of clipboard functionality. Whether you’re a Windows user, a Mac enthusiast, or someone who switches between devices, TextExpander is the clipboard manager that works for everyone.
Ready to dive in? Let’s explore the best clipboard managers by platform to find the perfect fit for your workflow.
The best clipboard manager that works anywhere: TextExpander
While platform-specific clipboard managers offer tailored solutions, TextExpander stands out as the ultimate cross-platform clipboard manager and productivity tool. Its unique ability to sync across devices and platforms—including Mac, Windows, Google Chrome, and even mobile—makes it the most versatile option.
Say goodbye to copy-and-paste
TextExpander goes beyond what a mere clipboard manager can do. It’s a comprehensive productivity tool that enhances workflows with features like:
- Text expansion: Create and store text, phrases, or templates (called Snippets)—including clipboard items—then insert them with a simple abbreviation.
- Cross-platform syncing: Access your Snippets and clipboard items seamlessly across all your devices.
- Powerful search and organization: Quickly find the Snippet or item you need using search or organize them into folders and categories.
- Team collaboration: Share Snippets with your team to maintain consistency and save time on repetitive tasks.
How TextExpander compares to traditional clipboard managers
While traditional clipboard managers focus on storing and retrieving copied items, TextExpander goes further by automating repetitive typing tasks. Whether you’re drafting emails, coding, or filling out forms, TextExpander lets you save time by eliminating repetitive keystrokes.
Why TextExpander works for everyone
Whether you’re a Windows user, a Mac enthusiast, or someone who switches between devices daily, TextExpander ensures your Snippets, templates, and clipboard items are always at your fingertips. It’s the perfect choice for professionals, students, and teams who want to enhance their productivity. Check out TextExpander’s five-star review on G2.
Best clipboard manager for Android
Android users often need clipboard managers to store, organize, and quickly retrieve copied text, links, and images. Built-in clipboard functions are typically limited, saving only the last copied item, which can be frustrating for multitaskers. Third-party clipboard managers shine here, offering features like extended clipboard history, cloud syncing, and customization.
Top Android clipboard managers
Here are some of the most popular clipboard managers for Android:
- Clipboard Manager: A straightforward app that allows users to manage clipboard history, categorize items, and easily search past entries. It has a 3.4-star rating on the Google Play Store with over 6,500 reviews.
- Clipper+: A feature-rich option that enables users to save frequently used phrases, organize clippings, and sync data with its paid version. It has a 4.1-star rating on the Google Play Store with over 6,500 reviews.
- Clip Stack: Known for its clean design and robust syncing options, Clip Stack allows users to store unlimited clipboard history and sync across devices via cloud services. It holds a 3.9star rating on the Google Play Store with over 7,000 reviews.
Winner: Clip Stack
While all the above tools are excellent, Clip Stack stands out as the best clipboard manager for Android. Its combination of user-friendly design, offline functionality, and syncing capabilities make it an excellent choice for Android users who need reliability and versatility.
Best clipboard manager for Mac
macOS only retains the most recently copied item, so a third-party clipboard manager can be a game-changer, especially for professionals juggling multiple tasks.
Top macOS clipboard managers
Here’s a comparison of some of the top clipboard managers for Mac:
- Alfred: A versatile productivity tool that includes a powerful clipboard manager as part of its workflows. Alfred allows users to access clipboard history, search past clippings, and integrate snippets into automation tasks. It has a 4.8-star rating on the App Store with over 1,000 reviews.
- CopyClip: A lightweight, free option for users who want an uncomplicated clipboard manager that tracks copied items and allows easy access from the menu bar. It has a 4.5-star rating on the App Store with over 1,900 reviews.
- Paste: A polished, feature-rich clipboard manager with a visually stunning interface. Paste organizes clipboard history into categories and allows for syncing across devices using iCloud. It maintains a 4.4-star rating on the App Store with over 3,800 reviews.
Best free clipboard manager for Mac
For those on a budget, CopyClip is an excellent free choice. It’s simple, effective, and ideal for users who need basic clipboard management without extra bells and whistles.
Overall Winner: Paste
Paste is the best clipboard manager for Mac. Its sleek interface and intuitive design make it incredibly easy to use, while its robust feature set—like extended clipboard history, search capabilities, and cross-device syncing—caters to power users. Whether you’re copying text, images, or links, Paste makes managing and retrieving clippings effortless.
Bonus: macOS Universal Clipboard
Mac users in the Apple ecosystem can also take advantage of Universal Clipboard, which syncs copied content between macOS and iOS devices. However, this is limited to a single item at a time, making tools like Paste essential for advanced clipboard management.
Best clipboard manager for Windows
Windows users often handle tasks that require copying and pasting across multiple applications, making a robust clipboard manager essential for improving efficiency. While Windows has a built-in clipboard history feature, third-party tools offer enhanced functionality like syncing, advanced search, and organization options.
Top Windows clipboard managers
Here’s a look at some of the best clipboard managers for Windows:
- Clipboard Master: Designed for power users, this tool supports multi-format clipboard entries, hotkeys, and organizational features like folders and quick access to frequently used items.
- CopyQ: A cross-platform clipboard manager with advanced scripting capabilities, making it ideal for users who need extensive customization.
- Ditto: An open-source clipboard manager that offers a powerful set of features, including clipboard history, search, and the ability to sync across devices. Ditto is lightweight and easy to use.
- Windows Clipboard History: Built into Windows 10 and 11, this feature allows users to access recent clipboard items with a simple shortcut (Windows + V). It’s convenient but lacks advanced features like syncing or categorization.
Best clipboard managers by Windows version
- Windows 10: Ditto is the best choice for its simplicity, customization options, and compatibility with Windows 10. It complements the built-in Clipboard History feature for users who need more functionality.
- Windows 11: Clipboard Master compliments Windows 11’s advanced UI, offering enhanced productivity for multitaskers.
- Best free option: For a free, no-frills solution, Windows Clipboard History works well for casual users. However, Ditto remains the best free third-party app for users who want additional features.
Overall Winner: Ditto
Ditto earns the title of the best clipboard manager for Windows. Its simplicity, open-source nature, and rich feature set—like searchable history, customizable hotkeys, and cross-device syncing—make it a favorite among Windows users.
Best clipboard manager for iOS
Clipboard management on iOS devices can be challenging due to system limitations. The native clipboard only stores the most recent copied item and has no built-in history feature. Fortunately, several third-party apps enhance the clipboard experience, providing tools for organizing, syncing, and retrieving clipboard entries across devices.
Top iOS clipboard managers
Here are some of the top clipboard manager apps for iPhone and iPad users:
- Anybuffer: A versatile clipboard tool that doubles as a personal organizer. Users can save and categorize clippings, files, and even media for later use.
- Copied: A powerful clipboard manager with seamless iCloud syncing, Copied allows users to save, organize, and edit clippings. It also offers customizable templates for pasting content in various formats. It maintains a 4.4-star rating on the App Store with over 300 reviews.
- Paste: Known for its visually appealing design, Paste keeps a history of copied items, syncs across macOS and iOS, and provides an intuitive way to organize clipboard entries.
Winner: Copied
Copied is the clipboard manager for iOS due to its robust features and ability to sync effortlessly across devices using iCloud. It offers a clean interface and powerful customization options, making it a favorite for those who want complete control over their clipboard.
Bonus: Universal Clipboard for Apple devices
If you use multiple Apple devices, the built-in Universal Clipboard feature lets you copy something on your iPhone or iPad and paste it on your Mac or another Apple device. While convenient, it doesn’t save clipboard history, so apps like Copied remain essential for advanced clipboard management.
Best clipboard managers for Ubuntu Linux
Linux users, particularly those on Ubuntu, often look for lightweight, open-source clipboard managers that integrate seamlessly with their workflows. While Linux desktops like GNOME and KDE have basic clipboard utilities, third-party tools provide advanced features like clipboard history, search, and scripting capabilities.
Here’s a comparison of the best clipboard managers for Ubuntu Linux:
- CopyQ: A feature-packed clipboard manager that supports clipboard history, scripting, advanced search, and multi-format support. It’s compatible with various Linux distributions and is highly customizable.
- GNOME Clipboard History: A simple plugin for the GNOME desktop environment that adds a panel so you can easily search and access your clipboard history.
- Klipper: If you prefer the KDE desktop environment, Klipper is a powerful built-in option.
- Parcellite: A minimalistic clipboard manager that offers clipboard history and quick access to copied items. It’s ideal for users who prefer simplicity without sacrificing functionality. It doesn’t have any window manager dependencies, so it works well regardless of whether you run GNOME, KDE, or another environment.
Best clipboard manager for Google Chrome
Browser-based clipboard managers are essential for users working primarily in Google Chrome, like Chromebook users. These extensions provide clipboard history, quick access to saved clippings, and secure cloud storage, making them perfect for multitasking and managing content directly within the browser.
Top Google Chrome clipboard managers
Here are some of the best clipboard management tools for Chrome:
- Clipboard History Pro: This extension saves your clipboard history and allows you to organize, search, and sync items across devices. It features robust privacy controls for secure cloud storage.
- Permanent Clipboard: A simple tool for saving and reusing frequently copied text snippets. It’s lightweight and great for quick access to repetitive content. Users rate it 4.3 stars with over 220 reviews.
Winner: Clipboard History Pro
Clipboard History Pro stands out as the best clipboard manager for Google Chrome. Its combination of intuitive design, powerful search capabilities, and secure cloud-based storage makes it ideal for users who need reliability and cross-device accessibility.
Bonus: ChromeOS Clipboard Management
ChromeOS includes a built-in clipboard history feature that allows users to store up to five recently copied items. While convenient, its limited storage makes extensions like Clipboard History Pro a better choice for those who need a more comprehensive solution.
With these tools, managing your clipboard directly within Google Chrome has never been easier!
FAQs
What is the best clipboard manager?
The best clipboard manager depends on your needs and platform. For cross-platform users, TextExpander is the ultimate solution, offering seamless syncing, advanced text expansion, and collaboration tools. For platform-specific needs, here are the top picks:
- Android: Clip Stack
- Mac: Paste
- Windows: Ditto
- iOS: Copied
- Ubuntu Linux: CopyQ
- Google Chrome: Clipboard History Pro
Does Windows 10 have a clipboard manager?
Yes, Windows 10 includes a built-in clipboard manager called Clipboard History. To enable it:
- Go to Settings > System > Clipboard.
- Toggle on Clipboard history.
- Use Windows + V to view and manage your clipboard history.
While useful, it lacks advanced features like syncing or organization, making third-party apps like Ditto a better option for power users.
Can hackers see my clipboard?
Clipboard data is temporary and can sometimes be accessed by malicious software, especially on less secure platforms. Here’s how to stay safe:
- Avoid copying sensitive information (e.g., passwords or credit card numbers).
- Use clipboard managers with security features, like encrypted storage (e.g., Clipboard History Pro).
- Keep your software and apps updated to protect against vulnerabilities.
How to find a clipboard on Android?
Android devices generally save only the last copied item in the clipboard. To view or manage your clipboard history, you can:
- Use the Gboard keyboard (tap the clipboard icon to access clipboard history).
- Install a clipboard manager app like Clip Stack or Clipboard Manager for extended capabilities.
Conclusion
Clipboard managers are essential tools for anyone looking to streamline their workflow and save time on repetitive tasks. Whether you’re managing text, links, or media, a good clipboard manager helps you stay organized, productive, and efficient.
In this guide, we’ve explored the best clipboard managers across multiple platforms, highlighting tools like Clip Stack for Android, Paste for Mac, Ditto for Windows, Copied for iOS, CopyQ for Ubuntu Linux, and Clipboard History Pro for Google Chrome. Each of these tools is tailored to specific platforms, offering features that meet the needs of their user base.
However, when it comes to a solution that works everywhere, TextExpander is the ultimate choice. By combining clipboard management with advanced text expansion, syncing, and team collaboration features, TextExpander ensures your productivity is maximized across all devices and platforms.
No matter your platform or workflow, there’s a clipboard manager out there to suit your needs. Try one today and see how it can transform the way you work!
