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The short answer
Yes, Maccy is free. It is open source under the MIT license, with no paid tier, no subscription, no trial that runs out and no locked features. Every feature is in the version you download or build from the source code. The Mac App Store also lists a paid copy, priced at $9.99 in the US store at the time of writing, which supports the developer. As far as we can tell, it is the same app as the free download.
That is the whole answer. The rest covers the details, for readers who expect fine print after the word “free”. There is none here.
What “free” means for Maccy
In software, “free” can mean many things, and most of them are annoying. For the Maccy clipboard manager it means the following:
- Free to download and use, with no end date. There is no trial window, no time limit and no daily reminder to upgrade.
- No paid tier. There is no Maccy Pro behind a paywall. You get the complete app, not a cut-down preview.
- No account. You do not sign up, enter an email address or click a confirmation link. You open the app and it works.
- No ads and no data collection. Maccy shows no ads, and its App Store listing states that the developer collects no data from the app. Your clipboard history stays on your Mac.
- Open source under MIT. The full source code is on GitHub, where you can read it, audit it, fork it or build your own copy. The license allows all of that.
The complete feature list is on the Maccy features page, and every item on it is part of the free download.
What is the paid version on the Mac App Store?
Maccy Mac is also sold as a one-time purchase on the Mac App Store. It exists for two reasons. Some people prefer installing from the App Store, where updates arrive automatically, and others want a simple way to send the developer money without arranging a separate donation. It is not a “Pro” upgrade. As far as we can tell, the features match the free download. You pay because the app has earned it, not because anything is held back.
Both routes are fine. Most people take the free download, and some pick the App Store copy as a thank-you. Either way you end up with the same software.
How does a free app keep going?
Maccy is an open source project that appears to be maintained by an independent developer. It is reported to be funded by voluntary donations and by the optional App Store purchase. As far as we know there are no outside investors, so nobody is pressing to turn you into revenue. That also explains the privacy model: with no business reason to collect your data, the app does not collect it. To contribute, you can buy the App Store copy or use any donation option the developer lists on the project’s GitHub page. Whether you pay or not, you can keep using the free download for as long as you like, and the experience does not change.
Is there a catch?
Not in the price. The honest catches concern scope, not cost. Maccy runs on the Mac only, with no iPhone or iPad companion, and it does not sync the clipboard between devices. It also stays deliberately minimal, and some workflows outgrow that. None of this sits behind a paywall; these are simply the limits of what the app does. If they matter to you, paid alternatives such as Paste or Pastebot cover them, and the trade-offs are laid out on the compare Maccy alternatives page. If you only need a fast, private clipboard manager on a single Mac, the free download is the whole product.
How to get it
Download the app for free from the download Maccy page and drag it into Applications. Maccy 2 needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later. The first time you paste an item straight from Maccy, macOS asks for Accessibility permission; grant it and you are done. There is no registration, no license key and no follow-up email.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maccy completely free?
Yes. It is fully free and open source under the MIT license, with no paid tier, subscription, trial or feature gating. Every feature is in the free download.
Why does Maccy have a price on the Mac App Store?
The App Store copy is an optional one-time purchase that supports the developer. As far as we can tell it matches the free download, so it is not a paid upgrade. You can use the free version indefinitely without missing a feature.
Does Maccy show ads or track usage?
No ads, and the App Store listing says the developer collects no data from the app. It is open source, so you can inspect the code yourself, and your clipboard history is stored locally on your Mac.
Is the free version missing any features?
No. Only one version of the app exists. The free download and the App Store copy carry the same feature set, and there is no “Maccy Pro”.
Can I use Maccy for commercial or business work?
Yes. The MIT license permits free use in personal, commercial and enterprise settings. You can install it on a work Mac without buying a license or signing an agreement. This is general information, not legal advice.
