Maccy vs CleanClip (2026): Free Open Source vs One-Time Purchase
CleanClip is one of the newer clipboard managers on macOS — paid ($12.99 one-time), visual, and opens near your cursor. Maccy is free, open source, and keyboard-first. Here is a full feature-by-feature comparison.
Quick verdict. Maccy is free, open source, and keyboard-first. CleanClip is $12.99 one-time with a more visual, panel-based UI. Both support text, images, and app exclusion. Choose Maccy if you want zero cost and keyboard speed. Choose CleanClip if a visual search panel matters more to you than a menu-bar dropdown.
What is CleanClip?
CleanClip is a paid clipboard manager for macOS released in 2023 and updated actively through 2026. It opens as a floating panel near your cursor rather than a menu-bar dropdown. The free tier stores the last 5 items; the paid version ($12.99 one-time via the Mac App Store or the developer's site) lifts all limits and adds app exclusion, images, and quick search.
Maccy vs CleanClip at a glance
| Feature | Maccy | CleanClip |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | $12.99 one-time (free tier limited to 5 items) |
| Open source | Yes — MIT licence | No |
| UI style | Menu bar dropdown (keyboard-first) | Floating panel near cursor |
| Text, images, files | Yes | Yes |
| App exclusion (privacy) | Yes — configurable ignore list | Yes |
| Regex search | Yes | No |
| Pinned items | Yes | Yes |
| iCloud sync | Optional | No |
| Plain-text paste | Yes | Yes |
| macOS version required | macOS 14+ | macOS 13+ |
| RAM usage (typical) | 14–22 MB | ~45–65 MB |
| App size download | ~8 MB | ~18 MB |
Where CleanClip is better
Cursor-adjacent panel. CleanClip opens where your cursor is, not in the menu bar. If you find Maccy's top-right dropdown inconvenient on large monitors or multiple screens, CleanClip's floating panel approach is genuinely more comfortable.
Visual layout. CleanClip shows recent items in a formatted panel with larger preview text and clearer visual separation between items. For users who are not comfortable with keyboard-first interfaces, this is easier to learn.
macOS 13 Ventura support. CleanClip works on macOS 13, while Maccy requires macOS 14 Sonoma. If you are running an older system, CleanClip covers you.
Where Maccy is better
Cost. Maccy is completely free with no feature gating. CleanClip's free tier limits history to 5 items, which is barely functional. The paid upgrade is a one-time fee (not a subscription), but $12.99 versus free is a clear difference.
Regex search. Maccy supports full regular expressions in the search bar. If you work with patterns — finding items matching /^\d{4}/, extracting specific URLs, searching structured text — Maccy's regex is a genuine productivity feature CleanClip lacks.
Transparency. Maccy is open source. You can read exactly what the app does, audit it for security, and compile it yourself. CleanClip is closed source.
Memory efficiency. Maccy consistently uses 14–22 MB of RAM; CleanClip runs heavier due to its visual rendering engine. On older Macs or memory-constrained workflows, this matters.
Who should choose each
Choose Maccy if:
- You want the best free option with no restrictions
- You are a developer who wants regex search or open-source transparency
- You prefer keyboard-driven workflows
- You need iCloud sync or plan to use Homebrew for deployment
Choose CleanClip if:
- You prefer a visual panel that opens near your cursor
- You are on macOS 13 Ventura
- You are willing to pay $12.99 one-time for a different UX philosophy
Questions
Can I try both before deciding?
Yes. Maccy is free to download and fully featured from day one. CleanClip has a free tier (limited to 5 items). Install both, compare them for a week, and decide. There is no cost to trying either.
Does CleanClip send data anywhere?
CleanClip's privacy policy states that clipboard data stays local. It is closed source, so you cannot audit the code independently. Maccy is open source and verifiable on GitHub.
Is there a Maccy alternative that opens at the cursor?
CleanClip and Maus both open near the cursor. Maccy opens in the menu bar. This is a deliberate design choice: the menu bar placement is always in the same location, which some users find more predictable. You can change Maccy's shortcut to make it faster to activate.