
CopyQ
CopyQ is a free clipboard manager for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What CopyQ is
CopyQ is a free clipboard manager for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It monitors the system clipboard and saves copied content in customizable tabs, where users can search, copy, and paste entries. Supported content includes text, HTML, images, and other clipboard formats. Users can browse and filter history, edit and sort entries, and add notes or tags. CopyQ also offers system-wide keyboard shortcuts, customizable commands, a command-line interface, and scripting. Its appearance can be customized, and it includes a simple Vim-like editor with keyboard shortcuts. Users can add or import shared commands from the CopyQ Commands repository, including commands triggered by shortcuts or clipboard changes. CopyQ says it does not collect other data or send anything over the network. By default, it recognizes secret clipboard formats used by password managers and other applications, and does not store, show, or process that content in automatic commands. Built-in encryption can protect stored tab data with a user-set password. Pasting is supported on Windows, macOS, and X11 on Linux, but not on Wayland. The application is free under the GPL-3.0 license.
Good
- Stores text, HTML, images, and other clipboard formats.
- History entries can be searched, filtered, tagged, and edited.
- Supports shortcuts, custom commands, and scripting.
- Secret clipboard formats are excluded by default.
- Stored tab data can be encrypted.
Watch out
- Pasting is not supported on Wayland.
- Exported data from script export commands is not encrypted.
Who it suits
CopyQ suits people who want searchable clipboard history and ways to organize copied content across Linux, macOS, or Windows. Linux users should note that pasting is not supported on Wayland.
Verdict
CopyQ combines clipboard history with search, organization, shortcuts, and scripting across desktop platforms. Its Wayland paste limitation and the handling of exported data are worth considering before use.
Plans and prices
From CopyQ's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| CopyQ | Free | Free clipboard manager · GPL-3.0 licensed |
The facts
Each one read from CopyQ's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Clipboard formats
- It can store text, HTML, images, and other custom clipboard formats.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Clipboard secrets
- By default, CopyQ recognizes secret clipboard formats used by password managers and other applications and does not store, show, or process that content in automatic commands.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Customization
- The application supports customizable appearance and a simple Vim-like editor with keyboard shortcuts.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Built in encryption can protect all stored tab data with a user set password, using the Windows Credential Store, macOS Keychain, GNOME Keyring, or KWallet to store that password; exported data is not encrypted by script export commands.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Users can add or import shared commands from the CopyQ Commands repository, including commands triggered by shortcuts or clipboard changes.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The project site says CopyQ is maintained by hluk, whose GitHub profile identifies him as Lukas Holecek.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Users can browse and filter clipboard history, edit and sort entries, and add notes or tags.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- CopyQ states that it does not collect other data or send anything over the network.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Shortcuts and scripting
- CopyQ supports system wide keyboard shortcuts, customizable commands, a command line interface, and scripting.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Storage limit
- The documented default clipboard data limit is 100 MiB per MIME type, and users can configure MIME-specific limits.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project links to documentation, a mailing list, and GitHub bug reports for help and issue reporting.checked 9 Oct 2026
- What it does
- CopyQ monitors the system clipboard, saves its contents in customized tabs, and lets users search, copy, and paste saved entries.checked 9 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platform limitation
- Pasting from CopyQ is supported on Windows, macOS, and X11 on Linux, while the documentation says it is not supported on Wayland.checked 9 Oct 2026
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