TextStow vs Paste for Mac
Both apps provide searchable Mac clipboard history, but they optimize for different jobs. TextStow keeps its workflow on one Mac and combines structured bookmarks with 30+ local text tools. Paste offers polished visual browsing, pinned snippets, and private iCloud sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Choose TextStow if you want a free current version, local-only Mac storage, categories and tags for reusable content, and built-in text tools. Choose Paste if visual browsing and private iCloud sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad are worth a paid plan after its trial.
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | TextStow | Paste |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ✓ Free current version | 7-day trial, then paid |
| Clipboard History | ✓ | ✓ |
| Saved Content | ✓ Categories & tags | ✓ Pinned snippets & pinboards |
| Full-Text Search | ✓ Across history & bookmarks | ✓ |
| Text Tools (JSON, Base64, URL, PDF) | ✓ 30+ built-in | ✗ |
| Image & File Clipboard Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Device Sync | ✗ | ✓ Private iCloud |
| Platforms | Mac | Mac, iPhone & iPad |
| Storage | ✓ Local-only SQLite | Device storage + private iCloud |
Free Current Version vs Paid Cross-Device Product
TextStow is free to download and use for the current version. Paste offers a seven-day trial followed by subscription or lifetime purchase options. The difference is not simply free versus paid: Paste includes a polished multi-device product, while TextStow deliberately focuses on a local Mac workflow.
Categories and Tags vs Pinboards and Visual History
TextStow separates temporary history from permanent bookmarks that can have titles, categories, and tags. Paste provides searchable visual history and lets users pin snippets into pinboards. Both can preserve useful content; TextStow fits a structured local library, while Paste fits visual browsing and cross-device access.
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.
Local-Only Storage vs Private iCloud Sync
TextStow stores clipboard history and bookmarks in a local SQLite database and does not provide cross-device cloud sync. Paste says copied content stays on your devices and synchronizes through private iCloud rather than Paste servers. Single-device isolation favors TextStow; Apple-device continuity favors Paste.
Make the Decision with a One-Week Test
Choose five real items you regularly reuse: a paragraph, an image, a file, a code snippet, and a template. Test retrieval, organization, exclusion controls, and cleanup behavior in both apps. A fair comparison should measure the repeated work each product removes, not just count features.
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.
What does TextStow emphasize that Paste does not?▾
TextStow emphasizes local-only Mac storage, bookmarks with categories and tags, and 30+ built-in text processing actions beside clipboard history.
Is Paste subscription-only?▾
No. Paste currently offers a seven-day trial followed by subscription options, and its official pricing page also lists a lifetime purchase.
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 storage model is more private?▾
TextStow keeps its clipboard workflow on one Mac. Paste says it uses private iCloud sync and does not store copied content on Paste servers. The better model depends on whether you prioritize single-device isolation or synchronized access.
Can I test TextStow without removing Paste?▾
Yes. Keep Paste installed while trying TextStow, then compare both with the same real clipboard tasks before deciding.
Free Download TextStow
Both apps provide searchable Mac clipboard history, but they optimize for different jobs. TextStow keeps its workflow on one Mac and combines structured bookmarks with 30+ local text tools. Paste offers polished visual browsing, pinned snippets, and private iCloud sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Free Download