Honest comparison
Clipster vs Pastebot
Updated on
Pastebot, by Tapbots (the makers of Tweetbot and Ivory), is one of the most respected clipboard managers on the Mac: fast, keyboard-driven, with custom pastebins, text filters and paste stacks. Its latest release requires macOS Tahoe. Clipster is built for people whose clipboard has to cross platforms: Mac, Windows and iPhone, synced and end-to-end encrypted.
At a glance
| Pastebot | Clipster | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Paid: a license bought directly from Tapbots, or a subscription on the App Store | — |
| Platforms | Mac only, macOS Tahoe or later (the previous Pastebot is still available for older macOS) | Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), iPhone |
| Sync | iCloud sync between Macs; works with Apple's Universal Clipboard | Windows ↔ Mac ↔ iPhone |
| Encryption of synced data | Through your iCloud; Tapbots' page doesn't describe end-to-end encryption | End-to-end, zero-knowledge (AES-256-GCM) |
| Search | Yes, with searchable notes on clippings | Full-text search |
| Organization | Custom Pastebins (colors, icons, emoji) and rule-based Smart Pastebins | Pins: named boards with icons |
| Power features | Filters (stackable text transformations), Stacks (sequential paste), Quick Paste menu, per-clipping shortcuts, Shortcuts & CLI | Previews, highlighted code, drag and drop, iPhone keyboard |
| Privacy controls | App blacklist (block an app, or ignore images/text from it) | Local by default; synced copies encrypted end to end |
| Open source | No | No |
Where Pastebot shines
Keyboard power. The Quick Paste menu lets you paste any of your last 10 copies with a number key, and you can assign shortcuts to individual clippings, pastebins and filters. A built-in cheat sheet helps you learn them.
Filters. Pastebot can transform text before you paste it, and you can stack filters into complex ones with a live preview. If you clean up text all day (strip formatting, change case, reformat lists), this is a real time-saver that Clipster doesn't offer.
Stacks. Copy several items, then paste them one after another in sequence. Great for filling out forms.
Organization. Custom Pastebins keep important clippings forever, with colors and icons, and Smart Pastebins filter clippings by rules. You can add searchable notes to clippings.
Apple integration. iCloud sync keeps clippings, pastebins and filters in sync between your Macs, and Pastebot imports what you copy on your iPhone via Universal Clipboard. It also supports Apple Shortcuts and a command-line tool.
Pedigree. Tapbots has a long track record of beautifully crafted Apple apps, and Pastebot has been praised by MacStories and The Verge.
Where Clipster is different
Windows and iPhone. Pastebot is Mac-only, and its latest release needs macOS Tahoe. Clipster runs on Windows, on Macs (Apple Silicon and Intel), and on iPhone with a real app: your history, your Pins, and a keyboard that pastes any copy into any app. With sync turned on, all of them share one clipboard over the internet, not just devices nearby.
Explicit end-to-end encryption. Pastebot's sync goes through iCloud, so it's as private as your iCloud account. Clipster encrypts each copy on your device with a key derived from your master password before syncing; our server stores only ciphertext it can't read.
Clipster's limits, honestly
- No text filters, no paste stacks, no smart rules: Pastebot is the more powerful Mac tool.
- Young app vs. a mature, well-known product.
- No Linux or Android; not open source.
Pastebot is the better pick if you…
- use only Macs (and maybe an iPhone for Universal Clipboard)
- transform text a lot and want filters and stacks
- are already on macOS Tahoe
Clipster is the better pick if you…
- also use a Windows PC
- want a real clipboard app on your iPhone, with a paste keyboard
- want synced copies encrypted end to end, zero-knowledge
- are on a Mac that isn't running macOS Tahoe yet
Switching from Pastebot
Clipboard history rebuilds as you copy, so there's nothing to export. Recreate your most-used Custom Pastebins as Clipster Pins, then quit Pastebot so the two don't record the same clipboard.
Download Clipster: lightweight and fast, built with Tauri (Rust, not Electron). Also see Clipster vs Paste and Clipster vs Maccy, or our guide to the best clipboard manager for Mac.
FAQ
Is Pastebot free?
No. Pastebot is a paid app: you can buy a license directly from Tapbots or subscribe on the App Store, and both come with a free trial. Current prices are on Tapbots' website.
Is there a Pastebot for Windows or iPhone?
No. Pastebot is a Mac app. It can receive iPhone copies through Apple's Universal Clipboard, but there's no Pastebot iPhone app and no Windows version.
Which macOS does Pastebot need?
The latest Pastebot needs macOS Tahoe or later. Tapbots still offers the previous Pastebot for older systems.
Does Clipster have filters and stacks like Pastebot?
No. Clipster focuses on history, search, Pins and cross-device sync. If filters and stacks are central to your workflow, Pastebot is the better tool.
Disclosure: Clipster is our app.
Try it on your own devices
Available on Mac, Windows and iPhone.
Download ClipsterOther comparisons: Clipster vs Paste · Clipster vs Maccy · Clipster vs Ditto · Clipster vs ClipClip · Clipster vs CopyQ · Clipster vs Raycast · Clipster vs Windows clipboard (Win+V) · every app side by side
Details checked on official websites in October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us: contact@clipster-app.com