TextStow vs Paste for Mac
Both tools handle Mac clipboard history, but they take opposite approaches. TextStow gives you clipboard history, permanent bookmarks, and built-in text tools — free and 100% local. Paste requires a paid plan (subscription or one-time purchase) for core features and relies on cloud sync.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | TextStow | Paste |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ✓ Free | Subscription or one-time purchase |
| Clipboard History | ✓ | ✓ |
| Permanent Bookmarks | ✓ With categories & tags | ✗ |
| Full-Text Search | ✓ Across history & bookmarks | ✓ |
| Text Tools (JSON, Base64, URL, PDF) | ✓ 30+ built-in | ✗ |
| Image & File Clipboard Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Storage | ✓ 100% local SQLite | iCloud cloud sync |
| Account Required | ✓ No account needed | ✗ Apple ID required |
| Privacy | ✓ No data leaves your Mac | Cloud upload to Apple servers |
Free vs paid: the bottom-line difference
Paste requires a paid plan — either a subscription ($2.49/month, $29.99/year) or a one-time lifetime purchase — for clipboard history and cross-device iCloud sync. TextStow provides the same core clipboard workflow — plus permanent bookmarks, image and file support, and 30+ text tools — as a free download. If your clipboard work stays on your Mac, paying for sync or a lifetime license is unnecessary overhead.
Permanent bookmarks: a library, not just a timeline
Paste only shows clips in a chronological visual timeline. Once history fills up, finding a specific old snippet means scrolling. TextStow adds permanent bookmarks that exist independently of history: save important clips with titles, categories, and tags, and they stay accessible regardless of history cleanup. For anyone who reuses API keys, customer replies, code snippets, or email templates, bookmarks are the difference between a disposable list and a structured knowledge library.
30+ built-in text tools: replace your browser utilities
TextStow includes JSON formatting, Base64 encoding/decoding, URL encoding/decoding, line break removal, extra space cleanup, PDF text repair, case conversion, duplicate line removal, and more — all running locally on your Mac. Paste has no comparable text processing built in. You do not need to open a browser, visit a random formatting website, or paste sensitive data into a web form. TextStow turns your clipboard into a lightweight DevToys for Mac.
100% local storage: your clipboard data never leaves your Mac
TextStow stores all clipboard history, bookmarks, images, and files in a local SQLite database on your Mac. No data is uploaded to any server. If your copied content includes client text, internal links, API keys, passwords, or unpublished drafts, local storage means your data never leaves your machine. Paste iCloud sync is convenient, but it also means your clipboard content passes through Apple servers.
No account, no tracking, no paywall
TextStow does not require account creation, does not track usage analytics, and does not lock features behind a subscription tier. Download, install, grant standard macOS accessibility permission, and start copying — that is it. Every feature is available from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TextStow really free?▾
Yes. TextStow is a free download for the current version. No subscription, no account, no paywall for the core clipboard workflow, bookmarks, or text tools.
Does TextStow have features Paste does not?▾
Yes. TextStow includes permanent bookmarks with categories and tags, 30+ built-in text tools (JSON, Base64, URL, PDF repair, and more), and 100% local storage — none of which Paste offers.
Why does Paste cost money?▾
Paste offers both subscription plans ($2.49/month, $29.99/year) and a one-time lifetime purchase. The cost primarily funds cross-device iCloud sync and ongoing development. If you only need clipboard history on your Mac, paying is unnecessary.
Does TextStow work on iPhone or iPad?▾
No. TextStow is a Mac-only application. For users whose clipboard workflow stays on Mac, cross-device sync is not a reason to pay a subscription.
Which is more private?▾
TextStow keeps all clipboard data on your Mac with no cloud upload, which is a stronger default for sensitive copied content like API keys, client data, and internal links.
Can I switch from Paste to TextStow easily?▾
Yes. Download TextStow, install it, and start copying. Clipboard history records immediately. Re-copy your most-used clips as bookmarks — most users rebuild their core library in under 15 minutes.
Free Download TextStow
Both tools handle Mac clipboard history, but they take opposite approaches. TextStow gives you clipboard history, permanent bookmarks, and built-in text tools — free and 100% local. Paste requires a paid plan (subscription or one-time purchase) for core features and relies on cloud sync.
Free Download