Pastebird vs Windows clipboard history vs Ditto
Windows already has a clipboard history (Win+V), and Ditto is the best-known free clipboard manager. Here is how Pastebird compares, including what the others do better.
On a Mac? Compare Pastebird with Spotlight →
| Feature | Pastebird | Windows (Win+V) | Ditto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Built into Windows | Free |
| Open source | YesMIT license | No | YesGPL license |
| History | 50 to 500 items, plus pinned items | The last 25 items | Configurable, up to thousands of items |
| Kept after a restart | Yes | Only pinned items | Yes |
| Search | YesFuzzy, as you type, also the text in screenshots | No | Yes |
| Pin items | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copied files | YesPaste as real files in Explorer | No | Yes |
| Images | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Formatting (bold, colors) | YesCtrl+Enter pastes plain text | Yes | Yes |
| Sync between pcs | NoStays on your pc, by design | YesOptional, via your Microsoft account | YesOptional, over your own network |
| Look | Windows 11, with acrylic and dark mode | Windows 11 | Classic Windows |
| Installation | Installer without admin rights or Microsoft Store | Built in; turn it on in Settings | Installer or portable version |
Based on the documentation of each app, October 2026. Something out of date? Let us know.
Which one is right for you?
Pastebird
You work from the keyboard and want to find something you copied days ago by typing a few letters. You copy text, links, paths, files and screenshots, and you want it simple and private.
Windows (Win+V)
You only need the last few items, want sync between your pcs, and don't want to install anything.
Ditto
You want network sync, thousands of items and lots of settings, and a classic look doesn't bother you.
Give your clipboard a memory
Free for Windows 11 and Mac. Installs in seconds, no account needed.
Pastebird is for Windows 11 pcs and Macs. Send yourself the link and install it on your computer.
Link copied. Paste it in a message or email to yourself.