Tool profile
CopyQ: cost, fit and limits
CopyQ is an open source clipboard manager maintained by hluk under the GPL-3.0 license that stores text, HTML, images and custom formats in tabs on Linux, Windows and macOS, and exposes a command-line interface and scripting API.
What to know first
CopyQ is free, with no paid tier named, and the project page lists a Donate link. It runs on Linux, Windows and OS X 10.15 or later, and other systems need a build from source. Items can carry notes and tags and be browsed with filters. The scripting API and command line make it the most programmable tool here. No AI feature is named.
CopyQ at a glance
| Maker | hluk (project maintainer on GitHub; no legal entity stated on the pages read), Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Free |
| API access | Yes |
| Category | Best AI Clipboard Manager Apps in 2026, rank 9 of 13 |
| Website | hluk.github.io/CopyQ |
Who CopyQ is best for
Linux users
CopyQ is the only tool in this ranking that lists Linux as a supported system, so it is the default pick for that platform.
Scripters and tinkerers
A documented scripting API and an advanced command-line interface let you attach custom commands to shortcuts or to clipboard events.
People who organize clips by topic
Custom tabs, notes and tags separate items by project, and filters narrow the list, which suits long-running research or support work.
CopyQ plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Open source download | Free | GPL-3.0 license; a binary package or installer for Linux, Windows and OS X 10.15 or later, with a Donate link on the project page. |
Checked November 2026.
What CopyQ does
- Custom tabs
- Text, HTML, images or any other custom formats are stored in customized tabs, so items from different tasks do not mix in one long list.
- Ignore rules
- CopyQ can ignore clipboard content copied from some windows or containing certain text, which keeps unwanted or sensitive items out of storage if you set the rules up.
- Notes and tags
- You can add notes or tags to items and browse them with filters, a feature that turns the history into a lightweight, searchable knowledge store for long projects.
- Shortcuts and commands
- System-wide shortcuts trigger customizable commands, so you decide which action fires when you press a key combination, such as pasting a saved phrase, anywhere on the desktop, in any application.
- CLI and scripting
- An advanced command-line interface and a documented scripting API let you control the app from scripts and connect it to other tools on the machine, as the project page describes.
How CopyQ handles your data
The project page says CopyQ saves clipboard content in its own tabs on the local computer. No hosting region, retention period, training policy or certification is stated, and no sync or cloud feature is named. Because the project is open source on GitHub under GPL-3.0, anyone can read how data is stored. The maintainer is named as hluk, with no legal entity, so there is no company privacy policy to cite for this tool.
Where CopyQ falls short in practice
- Steeper learning curve. Tabs, commands and scripts give power, and the interface offers more settings than a one-purpose history tool, so first setup takes longer and the defaults suit few people.
- Builds for unlisted systems. Unlisted systems need a build from source, per the project page, which is out of reach for many casual users and rules out systems the maintainers do not package.
- No sync and no company. No sync feature is named, and the maintainer is an individual, so support runs through the project pages and GitHub rather than through a vendor help desk.
Alternatives to CopyQ
CopyQ: common questions
Is CopyQ free?
Yes. CopyQ is open source under the GPL-3.0 license, and the project page names no paid tier. It lists binary packages and installers for Linux, Windows and OS X 10.15 or later, plus a Donate link for people who want to support the maintainer.
Which operating systems does CopyQ support?
The project page names Linux, Windows and OS X 10.15 or later. Unlisted systems need a build from source. This cross-platform reach is the main reason to choose CopyQ over Ditto, which is Windows only, or Maccy and Clipy, which are Mac only.
Can CopyQ be scripted?
Yes. The project page describes an advanced command-line interface and a documented scripting API, plus system-wide shortcuts with customizable commands. You can use them to automate paste actions or process items as they arrive. Expect to read the documentation, since no ready-made macros are described on the pages we read.
Does CopyQ sync across devices?
No sync feature is named on the pages we read. The app saves clipboard content in its own tabs on the local computer. For synced history, look at Paste for Apple devices or ClipboardFusion Pro for Windows with mobile sync.
Can CopyQ ignore sensitive copies?
The project page says CopyQ can ignore clipboard content copied from some windows or containing some text. You set the rules yourself. It names no automatic password manager detection, unlike Maccy, so configure the ignore rules before using it with a password manager.