NotchStar vs Alfred clipboard history
Alfred is a launcher whose clipboard history needs the Powerpack at 34 GBP and keeps up to 3 months; NotchStar is a $4 once app where clipboard history is one of ten notch tools.
| NotchStar | Alfred | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Ten small tools in the notch | A launcher with workflows; the clipboard viewer is one feature |
| Price | $4 once, with a 7 day trial, up to 3 Macs, 7 day refund | Core app is free; Powerpack is priced in GBP: Single License 34 GBP, Mega Supporter 59 GBP with free lifetime upgrades; trial and refund are not stated |
| Clipboard history needs a paid license | Included in the $4 price | Clipboard history is part of the Powerpack |
| History retention | 50 items, kept in memory only | Choose 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month or 3 months; 3 months is the maximum |
| Skips password manager items | Included Skips items marked as concealed | Included Ignores password apps and concealed data by default |
| Saves text, images and file paths | Included Items copied to the clipboard | Included Text, images and file paths; clips can be saved as snippets |
| Minimum macOS | macOS 14 or later, Apple silicon and Intel | Its home page says macOS 10.14 or later, which is likely out of date; Intel and Apple silicon are both listed |
| Workflows and launcher | Not listed | Included A long running launcher with workflows |
| File shelf with AirDrop | Included | Not listed Not listed on the pages read |
| Screenshot Tray | Included Catches macOS screenshots; it does not capture | Not listed Not listed on the pages read |
Sources: Alfred website (checked 4 November 2026), Alfred Powerpack (checked 4 November 2026), Alfred Powerpack buy page (checked 4 November 2026), Alfred clipboard help (checked 4 November 2026). “Not listed” means the source does not mention it, which is not proof the feature is missing. Prices and features change, so check before you buy.
Alfred at a glance.
- Made by
- Running with Crayons Ltd
- Who it suits
- Someone who wants a launcher with workflows and a modest clipboard history.
- Price
- Free tier and paid plans. Alfred website, 4 November 2026: the core app is free. Powerpack is priced in GBP, not USD: Single License 34 GBP (single user, version 5) and Mega Supporter 59 GBP (single user, free lifetime upgrades). Buying now includes a free upgrade to Alfred 6. Trial and refund are not stated on the pages read.
- Needs
- macOS version not stated. Apple silicon and Intel.
- License
- Closed source
Alfred is one of the 62 apps counted in our pricing statistics and requirements statistics.
Strengths
- A long running launcher with workflows, with the clipboard viewer built in.
- Retention you choose: 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month or 3 months.
- It saves text, images and file paths and lets you save clips as snippets.
- It ignores password apps and concealed data by default.
Limits
- Clipboard history needs the paid Powerpack, and the maximum retention is 3 months.
- It is off by default and needs the Accessibility permission.
- Prices are listed in GBP only, and the trial and refund are not stated.
- The home page says macOS 10.14 or later, which is likely out of date for Alfred 5.8.1, so the real floor is unknown.
Choose Alfred if…
- You want a launcher with workflows, and a clipboard viewer inside it that can save clips as snippets.
- You want a one time license from a long running Mac launcher, with free upgrades on the Mega Supporter tier.
- You want retention of up to 3 months rather than 50 items in memory.
Choose NotchStar if…
- You want clipboard history without paying 34 GBP for a license you may use for little else.
- You want a file shelf with an AirDrop zone, timers, calendar and a screenshot tray around the notch.
- You want clipboard history that is on from the start, with no permission switch to turn it on first.
The verdict.
Alfred is a launcher, and its clipboard history is a Powerpack feature that is off by default. NotchStar keeps 50 items in memory and adds nine other tools for $4. Choose Alfred if you want workflows and a longer history. Choose NotchStar if you want small tools in the notch for less. Prices as of 4 November 2026, Alfred in GBP.
What Alfred is
Alfred is a Mac launcher from Running with Crayons Ltd. This page compares only its clipboard viewer, because that is where NotchStar overlaps. The home page lists Alfred 5.8.1 (build 2349) and teases Alfred 6 with no date.
The core app is free. Clipboard history belongs to the Powerpack, priced in GBP: 34 GBP for a Single License and 59 GBP for the Mega Supporter license with free lifetime upgrades. Buying now includes a free upgrade to Alfred 6. Prices as of 4 November 2026.
Who it suits
People who want a launcher with workflows and are happy to pay once for the Powerpack. The clipboard viewer is a bonus on top of that, with retention you choose and the option to save clips as snippets.
What Alfred does that NotchStar does not
It keeps history for up to 3 months, where NotchStar keeps 50 items in memory and clears them when the app quits. It is also a launcher with workflows, which NotchStar is not, and it can turn a clip into a snippet.
What NotchStar does that Alfred does not list
The pages we read list no file shelf, timers, calendar tool, teleprompter or screenshot tray. NotchStar has ten tools in the notch plus a Screenshot Tray that catches macOS screenshots, for $4 once with a 7 day trial and a 7 day refund. Clipboard history is on from the start, and there is no account.
Switching from Alfred to NotchStar
The two are not substitutes. If Alfred’s clipboard viewer is the only Powerpack feature you use, NotchStar gives you a shorter history and a wider toolbox for less money. Otherwise keep Alfred and add NotchStar.
What we could not verify
We read Alfred’s home, Powerpack, buy and clipboard help pages on 4 November 2026. The macOS 10.14 figure looks out of date, so we leave the minimum as not confirmed. The combined terms and privacy page was not read, and no trial or refund is stated. We have not tested the app.
Questions.
Does Alfred clipboard history need the Powerpack?
Yes. Its help page says clipboard history is part of the Powerpack. It is off by default and needs the Accessibility permission.
How long does Alfred keep clipboard history?
You can choose 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month or 3 months. Three months is the maximum.
Does NotchStar replace Alfred?
No. NotchStar has no launcher or workflows. It overlaps with Alfred only on clipboard history.
More comparisons.
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- NotchStar vs ChocolateBar
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- NotchStar vs Crest
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- NotchStar vs Dropover
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- NotchStar vs Dynamic Notch
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- NotchStar vs MacNotch
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- NotchStar vs NotchDrop
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- NotchStar vs Notchi
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- NotchStar vs Notchmeister
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- NotchStar vs NotchNest
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- Sapphire is a free, AGPL licensed notch app with Face ID, window snapping, a lock screen and a big free feature set, plus monthly AI and live data plans from $15.99; NotchStar is a $4 one time toolbox with none of those. Read it
- NotchStar vs Seam
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- NotchStar vs Session
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- NotchStar vs Stats
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- NotchStar vs SuperIsland
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- NotchStar vs TopNotch
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- NotchStar vs Tuneful
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- NotchStar vs Vibe Notch
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- NotchStar vs Xnapper
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- NotchStar vs Yoink
- Yoink is a long established drag shelf with clipboard history and an iOS companion at $8.99 once with a 28 day trial; NotchStar is a $4 app whose shelf is one of ten tools. Read it
- Alfred alternatives
- Every option next to Alfred, with price and macOS support. See the alternatives
- Best Mac notch apps
- A neutral roundup of the options. Read the guide
Put your notch to work.
Buy it once for $4, activate it in a minute, and keep it. Not sure yet? Try every tool in the browser on the home page, or install the 7 day trial.