MacPaste vs Raycast:
all-in-one or dedicated?
Raycast is a fantastic launcher that includes a Clipboard History module. MacPaste is dedicated to the clipboard. Spoiler: you can easily use both together.
You want a robust clipboard + iPhone sync
- You use Spotlight or Alfred and do not want to migrate to Raycast
- You want color tags and Mac ↔ iPhone sync
- You want a dedicated ⌘⇧V shortcut, not a menu within a launcher
- You want a lifetime license ($49) instead of a subscription if you activate Raycast Pro
You want to replace Spotlight
- You want a full launcher (apps, files, calculations, snippets, AI)
- You are okay with the clipboard being one module among 50 others
- You want its ecosystem of extensions and built-in AI
- The clipboard is secondary in your workflow
| MacPaste | Raycast Clipboard | |
|---|---|---|
| App type | Dedicated clipboard manager | Launcher with built-in clipboard |
| Price | Free · Pro $49 lifetime | Raycast Free · Pro $10/mo · $16/mo team |
| Unlimited history | Yes (always) | 3 months free · unlimited Pro |
| Color tags | Yes · 7 colors | No |
| iCloud Sync Mac ↔ iPhone | Yes (Pro) | No (no iOS app) |
| iCloud Sync Mac ↔ Mac | Not yet | Yes (Raycast Pro) |
| iPhone App | Yes (Pro) | No |
| Global shortcut | Dedicated ⌘⇧V | ⌘ Space then "clipboard" |
| Hover preview | Yes (scrollable) | Yes (preview panel) |
| Built-in AI | No | Yes (Pro) |
| Search within clips | Yes | Yes |
| Disk footprint | 5.9 MB | ~150 MB |
These two apps are not in direct competition
Raycast is primarily a launcher: opening apps, running calculations, executing workflows, querying AI, and searching files. The clipboard is just one of the dozens of features it includes.
MacPaste is a dedicated clipboard manager, with its own shortcut and a UI optimized for this single task. It's the difference between a Swiss Army knife and a chef's knife.
Many users keep both: Raycast for launching/searching/calculating, and MacPaste for the clipboard. The ⌘⇧V shortcut is much more direct than navigating inside Raycast for your clipboard history.
Real practical differences
- Color tags: MacPaste has 7 color tags accessible via keyboard shortcuts (⌃1-7). Raycast lacks this feature — you can only "Pin" an item.
- iPhone Sync: MacPaste Pro syncs Mac ↔ iPhone via iCloud. Raycast has no iPhone app. If you copy between devices frequently, this is a deciding factor.
- Pricing Model: MacPaste is a $49 one-time lifetime purchase. Raycast Pro (which unlocks unlimited history) is $10/month — totaling $120/year. This makes MacPaste cheaper within the first year if you only need the clipboard.
- Direct Shortcut: ⌘⇧V opens MacPaste instantly. In Raycast, you must press ⌘ Space → type "clipboard" → Enter, or configure a custom hotkey for that module.
When Raycast is enough (and MacPaste is redundant)
If you use Raycast as your primary launcher, copy almost exclusively text, don't need iPhone sync, and already pay for Raycast Pro for other reasons — you probably don't need MacPaste. The Raycast clipboard module does the job.
MacPaste targets users who want a deeper clipboard tool (color tags, sync, boards) or prefer a minimalist launcher like Spotlight.
Try MacPaste for free.
Lifetime $49 instead of $120/year if you upgrade to Raycast Pro just for the clipboard.
Download MacPaste