Windows’ native clipboard implementation is functional, but not smart. It doesn’t offer any meaningful organization or search, and it remembers just a handful of recent items. If you copy images, links, or text continuously, you’ll find their limitations frustrating.
CopyQ is a smarter clipboard option that treats your clipboard like a database. Apart from saving everything you copy, it lets you group items into tabs, search through your history, and automate tasks from your clipboard. CopyQ is lightweight, open-source, and gives a level of control that only a few productivity tools can rival. CopyQ is similar to Ditto, another clipboard manager I like to recommend.
- OS
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Linux, Windows, macOS
- Price model
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Free
CopyQ is an advanced, open-source clipboard manager that saves your full clipboard history. It transforms the standard clipboard into a productivity hub, allowing you to organize clips into tabs, search history instantly.
Store, search, and organize everything you copy
Tabs, filters, and a searchable history that keeps chaos in check
Windows’ built-in clipboard will only remember a few things at a time, but CopyQ transforms your entire clipboard into an organized, searchable repository. It lets you store text, code, and images, with unlimited entries. You can save data using multiple custom data formats (MIME types), ensuring your data retains its integrity when pasted into other applications.
All your entries are cataloged, and because you can browse visually with previews, it’s very easy to locate exactly what you need.
However, it takes organization a step further with tabs, labels, and filters. It lets me separate my work-related clips from project references, creative ideas, or research notes, and I can switch between these categories instantly. CopyQ allows tagging, so you can track items without cluttering your workspace.
A single keystroke opens CopyQ’s search, and it lets you locate snippets using content, tag, or date. So, when I copy several URLs while researching, I can filter by keyword or domain rather than rely on endless scrolling. Its unlimited storage, rapid search, and flexible organization help me maintain an efficient workflow.
Automate your workflow directly from the clipboard
From simple shortcuts to full command-based actions
One of CopyQ’s strongest features is its automation. It gives you far more control than most clipboard managers. You can automatically transform copied content by assigning it commands and scripts. I have a shortcut that strips formatting from copied text, one that converts data to different formats, and another that prepends repetitive tags to notes.
Its clipboard events trigger actions in real time. With CopyQ’s commands, I launch my PC’s calculator app when I copy numbers, automatically save copied receipts to a folder, and execute a shell command whenever a specific keyword appears. It supports scripting with Python, Bash, or PowerShell, allowing me to perform an unlimited number of automations.
It’s an active productivity hub thanks to its extensive capabilities. I can run tasks like copying, formatting, saving, or pasting instantly rather than in multiple steps. If you are a power user, it will save you several minutes every day.
Integration that feels native, not like an add-on
CopyQ blends with your Windows setup without slowing it down
CopyQ’s design and integration make it feel like a native part of Windows. Once installed, you can access it in the system tray. It also launches automatically on startup and can be controlled with customizable hotkeys. Pasting items into nearly all applications—browsers, editors, email clients—is seamless.
However, its cross-platform compatibility is the feature I value most. It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and I set up synchronization to share clipboard histories between all my machines. Any developer or writer would find this invaluable for keeping a consistent workflow while switching devices.
Even with its full feature set, it’s incredibly lightweight. It avoids the bloat you typically see in commercial clipboard apps and doesn’t require background services. It’s highly customizable, allowing me to tailor it to my habits.
Privacy, transparency, and control over your data
Open-source freedom with zero tracking or cloud dependency
What makes CopyQ a must-use for me is its open-source nature. While commercial clipboard managers may track your usage or store your data in a cloud you don’t control, CopyQ stores everything on your local device by default. My sensitive information, like passwords, personal notes, or work documents, only leaves my device when I’m consciously exporting or syncing them. Even during export, I maintain greater control because I’ve built my own sync system using apps like Syncthing.
It adds an extra layer of security for confidential information with AES-256 encryption support for stored clips—an industry-standard cipher. You retain control of everything you save, and you can set how long clips are retained and the commands that can run on your copied items. This is a high level of transparency that ensures no hidden processes, telemetry, or forced accounts.
It offers power and trustworthiness—a rare combination if you care about digital privacy or security. This ultimately results in a very capable tool that’s safe, reliable, and fully under your control. It’s an easy recommendation and even easier to integrate into your workflow.
When open source quietly outshines everything else
Open source isn’t perfect. I tried switching entirely to open source and hit a few bottlenecks, but tools like CopyQ make a world of difference. It isn’t flashy, just efficient. It doesn’t change how I work, but it makes my workflow more productive.
It’s simple, transparent, and empowering—exactly how any good software should be. Any interested party can audit CopyQ’s codebase for security vulnerabilities. It’s given me so much ownership over my work and data that going back to Windows’ basic clipboard, or any other one, would feel like working blindfolded.