Free Local Clipboard Manager for Mac
TextStow is free for the current version and focuses on a local Mac workflow: searchable history, reusable bookmarks, and text transformations without a TextStow account or cross-device cloud sync.
Best for
- Users who want a free current version without a subscription
- Mac users who prefer local history
- Developers who need built-in text transformations
- Users who separate temporary history from permanent bookmarks
Not for
- Users who need clipboard history synced to iPhone or iPad
- Users who require an open-source application
- Users who only need the recent history built into macOS Tahoe 26
Check the Built-in Option Before Installing Anything
macOS Tahoe 26 includes recent clipboard history in Spotlight. If recent recall is your only requirement, start there. A separate app becomes useful when you need durable bookmarks, deeper filtering, longer-lived organization, or text transformations. TextStow is positioned around those additional jobs instead of claiming every Mac user needs another utility.
What the Free Current Version Includes
TextStow records supported text, image, and file copies, provides full-text search and filters, and lets you promote useful clips into categorized bookmarks. It also includes more than 30 local text actions such as JSON formatting, Base64 and URL encoding, PDF text repair, whitespace cleanup, case conversion, and line deduplication.
Free Does Not Mean Every Product Has the Same Trade-offs
Maccy is a strong choice for people who want a lightweight, keyboard-first, open-source history manager whose data stays on the Mac. TextStow is better aligned with users who also want bookmark organization and text processing in the same app. These are different product scopes, so the right choice depends on whether minimalism or a broader workflow matters more.
When a Paid Cross-Device App Is the Better Choice
Paste emphasizes searchable history, pinboards, and sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It offers a free trial followed by paid subscription or lifetime plans. If cross-device continuity is essential, that paid model may fit better than TextStow. TextStow deliberately gives up that sync in favor of a local Mac workflow.
No TextStow Account or Subscription for the Current Version
The current TextStow version can be downloaded and used without creating a TextStow account or starting a subscription. Pricing and product scope can change over time, so this page describes the current version rather than making a permanent promise about every future release.
Choose by Workflow, Not by a Generic “Best” Label
Choose macOS Tahoe history for simple recent recall, Maccy for a minimal open-source history manager, Paste for a polished cross-device experience, and TextStow for local history plus bookmarks and text tools. For a fuller selection methodology, use the linked buyer’s guide rather than treating one product as universally best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TextStow free to use on Mac?▾
The current TextStow version is available as a free download without a subscription.
Does TextStow require an account or login?▾
No. TextStow works without any account creation, email verification, or sign-in. Install and use immediately.
Does TextStow sync clipboard history to the cloud?▾
No. TextStow does not provide cross-device cloud sync; clipboard history is stored for the local Mac workflow.
What content types does TextStow support?▾
Text, images, and files — all tracked automatically in clipboard history and bookmarkable permanently.
What text tools are included?▾
30+ built-in tools including JSON formatter, Base64 encode/decode, URL encode/decode, PDF text repair, remove extra spaces, deduplicate lines, text case converter, and more.
How does TextStow compare to Maccy or Paste?▾
Maccy prioritizes a lightweight open-source history workflow. Paste prioritizes a visual, synchronized experience across Apple devices with paid plans after its trial. TextStow combines local Mac history, permanent bookmarks, and text tools.
Free Download TextStow
TextStow is free for the current version and focuses on a local Mac workflow: searchable history, reusable bookmarks, and text transformations without a TextStow account or cross-device cloud sync.
Free Download