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.
| NotchStar | Yoink | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Ten small tools in the notch, a shelf among them | A drag shelf; clipboard history is also included |
| Price | $4 once, with a 7 day trial, up to 3 Macs, 7 day refund | $8.99 once on the Mac App Store or developer website, varying by country and taxes; 28 day free trial; Setapp subscription also available with a 7 day trial |
| Minimum macOS | macOS 14 or later, Apple silicon and Intel | Its page says macOS 10.13, which looks out of date for current builds; silicon is not stated |
| File shelf | Included Opens from the notch | Included Appears at a screen edge, at the cursor or on demand while dragging; QuickLook previews |
| AirDrop zone | Included | Not listed Not listed on the page read |
| Copy or move behaviour | Not listed | Included Option and Command change whether files are copied or moved |
| Clipboard history | Included 50 items, kept in memory only | Included In the app or a Notification Center widget; size not stated; password managers excluded by default |
| Handoff and iOS app | Not listed | Included Handoff to other Macs and a separate iOS app |
| Automation | Not listed | Included Services, Quick Action, Share extension, Terminal and Automator support |
| Screenshot Tray | Included Catches macOS screenshots; it does not capture | Not listed Not listed on the page read |
Sources: Yoink for Mac (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.
Yoink at a glance.
- Made by
- Eternal Storms Software
- Who it suits
- A Mac user who wants a cheap, proven drag shelf that also keeps a clipboard history.
- Price
- One time purchase. Yoink page, 4 November 2026: 9,99 EUR, $8.99 or GBP 8.99, one time on the Mac App Store or the developer website, varying by country and taxes. Free trial of 28 days. A Setapp subscription is also available with a 7 day trial.
- Needs
- macOS version not stated. Not stated.
- License
- Closed source
Yoink is one of the 62 apps counted in our pricing statistics and requirements statistics.
Strengths
- The shelf appears at a screen edge, at the cursor or on demand while you drag, with QuickLook previews.
- Option and Command choose whether files are copied or moved.
- Clipboard history is included, in the app or a Notification Center widget, and excludes password managers by default.
- Handoff to other Macs, a separate iOS app, and Services, Quick Action, Share extension, Terminal and Automator support.
Limits
- The page lists macOS 10.13 for version 3.7.6, which looks out of date, and states no silicon.
- The clipboard history size is not stated.
- The page links a privacy policy that was not read.
- It is a shelf with a clipboard; the page lists no calendar, timers or screenshot tray.
Choose Yoink if…
- You want a cheap, proven drag shelf that also keeps a clipboard history.
- You want a 28 day trial before paying, and an iOS companion app.
- You use Services, Quick Actions, Terminal or Automator and want the shelf to join them.
Choose NotchStar if…
- You want an AirDrop zone on the shelf and a Screenshot Tray, plus timers, calendar and disk tools, for $4.
- You want one license for up to 3 Macs and a 7 day refund.
- You want an app that states macOS 14 or later and both Apple silicon and Intel.
The verdict.
Yoink is the older, deeper shelf, with copy or move control, Handoff and automation hooks, plus a clipboard history. NotchStar costs less and adds seven more tools. Choose Yoink if you drag files all day and want a long trial. Choose NotchStar if you want a small kit with an AirDrop zone. Prices as of 4 November 2026.
What Yoink is
Yoink is a drag shelf for the Mac from Eternal Storms Software. A shelf appears at a screen edge, at the cursor or on demand while you drag a file, and holds it while you switch windows. Option and Command decide whether a drop copies or moves. The page also lists QuickLook previews, clipboard history, Handoff to other Macs, an iOS app and hooks for Services, Quick Actions, Terminal and Automator.
It is $8.99 once on the Mac App Store or the developer website, with a 28 day free trial. Prices vary by country and taxes. Prices as of 4 November 2026.
Who it suits
Mac users who drag files often and want a cheap, established shelf. The clipboard history makes it a small two in one for people who do not need a separate manager.
What Yoink does that NotchStar does not
It gives more control over the file shelf: copy or move, edge or cursor placement, QuickLook previews, Handoff and a separate iOS app, and it hooks into Automator and the Terminal. Its trial is 28 days against NotchStar’s 7.
What NotchStar does that Yoink does not list
NotchStar’s shelf has an AirDrop zone, and the Yoink page does not mention one. The same $4 app has now playing, calendar and reminders, timers, a teleprompter, a camera mirror, system stats, quick notes and disk tools, plus a Screenshot Tray that catches macOS screenshots. One license covers up to 3 Macs, with a 7 day refund.
Switching from Yoink to NotchStar
Expect a different feel: NotchStar’s shelf opens from the notch rather than from a screen edge. Clipboard history works, though it keeps 50 items in memory only. Copy out anything you need from Yoink first.
What we could not verify
We read the Yoink for Mac page on 4 November 2026. Its macOS 10.13 minimum looks out of date, silicon and clipboard size are not stated, and the privacy policy was not read. We have not tested the app.
Questions.
Does Yoink have a free trial?
Its page lists a 28 day free trial. A Setapp subscription is also available, with a 7 day trial.
Does Yoink have clipboard history?
Yes, in the app or a Notification Center widget. The page does not state how many items it keeps, and says password managers are excluded by default.
What macOS does Yoink need?
Its page says macOS 10.13 High Sierra for version 3.7.6, which looks out of date. This page leaves the current minimum as not confirmed.
More comparisons.
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- NotchStar vs ChocolateBar
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- NotchStar vs DropNotch
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- NotchStar vs MewNotch
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- NotchStar vs Notchi
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- NotchStar vs Notchie
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- NotchStar vs Notchmeister
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- NotchStar vs OneNotch
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- NotchStar vs Sapphire
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- NotchStar vs Seam
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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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- Yoink alternatives
- Every option next to Yoink, 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.