MacPaste vs Alfred:
launcher add-on or dedicated app?
Alfred is the original Mac launcher, beloved by power users since 2010. Its clipboard history lives behind the paid Powerpack ($34+). MacPaste is a standalone clipboard from the start.
The clipboard is the point
- You don't need a launcher (Spotlight or Raycast already covers it)
- You want a dedicated ⌘⇧V shortcut, not a launcher submenu
- You want Mac ↔ iPhone iCloud sync (Alfred has none)
- You want color tags on individual clips
You live inside Alfred workflows
- You already own the Powerpack and use Alfred for everything
- You rely on custom workflows and snippet expansion
- The clipboard is one feature among many you already use
- You don't need cross-device sync
| MacPaste | Alfred Clipboard (Powerpack) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dedicated clipboard manager | Launcher with clipboard add-on |
| Price | Free · Pro $49 lifetime | Powerpack $34 single · $45 mega supporter |
| Clipboard included in free version | Yes | No — Powerpack required |
| Unlimited history | Yes | Yes (Powerpack) |
| Color tags | Yes · 7 colors | No |
| Mac ↔ iPhone iCloud sync | Yes (Pro) | No |
| iPhone app | Yes (Pro) | No |
| Mac ↔ Mac sync | Not yet | Yes (via Dropbox/iCloud Drive) |
| Dedicated shortcut | ⌘⇧V | Custom (Option-Cmd-C typical) |
| Hover preview | Yes (scrollable) | Inline only |
| Snippet expansion | No | Yes (Powerpack) |
| App launcher | No | Yes (core) |
| Workflows / automation | No | Yes (Powerpack) |
Alfred is a different product entirely.
Alfred is a launcher first — its primary job is to replace Spotlight with apps, file search, calculations, web searches, and custom workflows. The clipboard manager is a Powerpack add-on, not the focus.
If you already pay for Powerpack to get workflows and snippet expansion, the bundled clipboard is essentially "free" for you. If you only want a clipboard manager, paying $34 just for that feature alongside features you'll never use makes less sense.
Where MacPaste pulls ahead
- iPhone Sync. Alfred is Mac-only with no companion iOS app. MacPaste Pro syncs both ways via iCloud — copy on Mac, paste on iPhone.
- Color tags. Alfred lets you favorite clips but has no labeling system. MacPaste has 7 colors with ⌃1-7 shortcuts.
- Free for unlimited local use. MacPaste's free tier already includes unlimited history. Alfred requires Powerpack ($34) just to get clipboard history at all.
- Dedicated single shortcut. ⌘⇧V opens MacPaste instantly. In Alfred you trigger Alfred, then navigate to clipboard, or set a custom keybind for that mode.
5-year cost calculation
- Alfred Powerpack: $34 once — but you're paying mostly for launcher features.
- MacPaste Pro: $49 once — entirely focused on clipboard + iPhone sync.
Both are lifetime, both refuse the subscription trap. The real question isn't price — it's whether you want a clipboard inside a launcher, or a clipboard as its own polished tool.
Try MacPaste for free.
No launcher overhead. Just a fast, focused clipboard with iPhone sync.
Download MacPaste