Tool profile
Alfred: cost, fit and limits
Alfred is a macOS launcher made by Running with Crayons Ltd. that finds files and apps on the computer and, with its paid Powerpack add-on, adds Clipboard History, Snippets and Workflows covering text, images and file paths.
What to know first
Alfred splits its product in two. The core launcher is free to use forever, while the Powerpack adds Clipboard History, Snippets and Workflows for a one-time 34 pounds Single License with free lifetime upgrades. Settings can sync between Macs through a file service such as Dropbox. The pages we read name no AI feature, so the appeal is workflow depth and a single purchase, not machine learning or a subscription for AI credits.
Alfred at a glance
| Maker | Running with Crayons Ltd. (copyright line on alfredapp.com), Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | 34 pounds one-time (Powerpack Single License) |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Clipboard Manager Apps in 2026, rank 4 of 13 |
| Website | alfredapp.com |
Who Alfred is best for
Long-time Mac users who want one purchase
The Single License is paid once and includes free lifetime upgrades, so there is no yearly fee for the clipboard module.
People who automate small tasks
Workflows connect Alfred to apps such as Dash, Spotify and YouTube, so the clipboard becomes one trigger among many in a routine you design yourself.
Heavy text expanders
Snippets expand from a short keyword, and a clipboard item can be saved as a snippet with Cmd S, which turns repeat copies into shortcuts.
Alfred plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Core app | Free | The core of Alfred, which the vendor says is free to download and use forever, without Clipboard History or the other Powerpack features. |
| Powerpack Single License | 34 pounds | Powerpack features including Clipboard History, Snippets and Workflows, with free lifetime upgrades after the single payment and a free upgrade to Alfred 6. |
Checked November 2026.
What Alfred does
- Clipboard History
- Text clips, images and file paths are saved and opened with a keyboard shortcut, in a history view that can be searched by typing part of the item.
- Snippets
- A short keyword expands into saved text, and the Snippets Viewer lists what you have stored. Any clipboard item can be turned into a snippet with Cmd S.
- Workflows
- Workflows chain actions between Alfred and other applications, which can include triggering clipboard actions as part of a longer routine that you assemble from the vendor's building blocks.
- Settings sync
- Alfred syncs its settings between Macs through a file sync service such as Dropbox that the user already runs, not through a vendor account, so the setup depends on that service.
How Alfred handles your data
Alfred's Powerpack page says settings sync uses the user's own file sync service such as Dropbox, so the vendor does not host a sync account. The pages we read do not state where clipboard history is stored, how long it is kept or whether it feeds any model. We tried the vendor's privacy URL and it returned a 404, and we did not follow the privacy terms link, so read that page yourself before relying on it.
Where Alfred falls short in practice
- History sits behind Powerpack. Clipboard History is a Powerpack feature, so the free core app gives you the launcher but no history, and the clipboard is only available after you buy the license.
- macOS only. The download page lists macOS 10.14 or later for the current build, and no Windows or iOS version is described on any of the pages that we read.
- A launcher around it. As with Raycast, the clipboard is one module of a larger tool, and a buyer who wanted a stand-alone history window gets more than needed.
Works with
Alternatives to Alfred
Alfred: common questions
How much does Alfred cost?
The core app is free forever. The Powerpack Single License costs 34 pounds, is a one-time payment and includes free lifetime upgrades. The Powerpack page also lists a v5 License at 59 pounds, but the text we read does not describe its scope, so check the page before choosing between them.
Is clipboard history free in Alfred?
No. Clipboard History is listed among the Powerpack features, which require the paid license. The free core app launches apps and files but does not keep a clipboard history. If you need history at no cost, Maccy and CopyQ are free alternatives in this ranking.
Does Alfred sync between Macs?
It syncs Alfred settings through a file sync service such as Dropbox, according to the Powerpack page. That means you point Alfred at a synced folder rather than sign in to a vendor account. The page does not say clipboard history itself is synced.
What can Alfred Snippets do with clipboard items?
Snippets expand when you type a short keyword, and the Snippets Viewer lists them. A clipboard item can be saved as a snippet with Cmd S. This links the two features: something you copy often becomes a keyword you type instead.
Does Alfred have AI features?
The vendor pages we read name no AI feature. Alfred is a launcher with workflows, snippets and clipboard history. Buyers who want AI beside their clipboard should look at Raycast, which lists Raycast AI on its paid plans, or at Paste.