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Utilities · head to head

7-Zip vs Paste

7-Zip logo

7-Zip

Utilities

Free and open-source file archiver with high compression and strong encryption

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paste logo

Paste

Utilities

Subscription clipboard manager for Mac, iPhone and iPad with iCloud sync between devices

From
$29.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only 7-Zip has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 7-Zip windows-centric GUI design; native graphical interface is Windows-only, with no first-class macOS or Linux GUI applications provided; Paste it is an ongoing subscription, unlike the free, one-time-cost alternatives Maccy and the built in macOS clipboard, so the cost compounds every year it is used.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 7-Zip and Paste actually diverge.

Attributes where 7-Zip and Paste differ
Attribute7-ZipPaste
Starting priceFree$29.99/year
Pricing modelopen-sourcePer user per month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Linux, macOSMac, iOS

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 7-Zip

Nothing recorded that Paste does not also cover.

Only in Paste

  • Clipboard history
  • iCloud sync
  • Pinboards
  • Rich content support
  • Search and filter
  • Setapp availability

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

7-Zip

  • Creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisationnot Paste
  • Distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive toolsnot Paste
  • Unpacking diverse archive formats (RAR, ISO, DMG) without purchasing separate toolsnot Paste
  • CI/CD automation via command-line compression and extractionnot Paste
  • Encrypting sensitive files with AES-256 for secure transmissionnot Paste
  • Restoring archived VirtualBox and VMware disk imagesnot Paste

Paste

  • Someone who regularly copies something on their iPhone, such as an address or code, and needs it moments later on their Macnot 7-Zip
  • A user organising reusable snippets like email signatures or boilerplate text into named pinboardsnot 7-Zip
  • A team member already paying for Setapp who wants Paste included rather than purchased separatelynot 7-Zip
  • Anyone who has outgrown a local-only clipboard manager because they now work across multiple Apple devicesnot 7-Zip

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

7-Zip

  • Windows-centric GUI design; native graphical interface is Windows-only, with no first-class macOS or Linux GUI applications provided
  • Linux and macOS support primarily through command-line tools; no native file manager integration on these platforms
  • User interface design is dated compared to modern alternatives; visual feedback and UX polish lag behind commercial archivers
  • ARM64 support limited to Windows; no ARM64 build for Linux or macOS despite growing ARM adoption
  • No built-in cloud storage integration or synchronisation; cannot extract directly to Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive

Paste

  • It is an ongoing subscription, unlike the free, one-time-cost alternatives Maccy and the built in macOS clipboard, so the cost compounds every year it is used.
  • Sync depends on iCloud, so a user without a reliable iCloud connection or who disables iCloud for privacy reasons loses the entire reason to pay for it over Maccy.
  • It has no Windows or Android app, so sync only works within the Apple ecosystem.
  • Because it preserves rich content and images, the synced history can grow large enough to be noticeable in iCloud storage use over time.
  • A user who only ever uses one Mac gets no benefit from the subscription cost over a free local-only tool like Maccy.

Pricing, plan by plan

7-Zip

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the 7-Zip review.

Paste

$29.99/year
  • Paste$2.49/month
    • Billed annually at roughly 29.99 USD per year
    • Covers Mac, iPhone and iPad apps under one subscription
    • iCloud sync between all devices

Which should you pick?

Choose 7-Zip if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, macOS.
7-Zip review

Choose Paste if

  • You need clipboard history.
  • You work on Mac, iOS.
  • You also want icloud sync.
Paste review

Questions people ask

Is 7-Zip or Paste better?
Neither clearly leads. 7-Zip starts at Free and Paste at $29.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 7-Zip or Paste?
7-Zip has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for 7-Zip and $29.99/year for Paste.
Does 7-Zip or Paste run on more platforms?
7-Zip runs on Windows, Linux, macOS. Paste runs on Mac, iOS.
Can I use 7-Zip for free?
Yes. 7-Zip has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paste starts at $29.99/year.
What is 7-Zip best used for?
7-Zip is most often used for creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisation, distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive tools, unpacking diverse archive formats (rar, iso, dmg) without purchasing separate tools, ci/cd automation via command-line compression and extraction. Of those, creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisation and distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive tools are not what Paste is typically brought in for.
What can 7-Zip do that Paste cannot?
Paste covers Clipboard history, iCloud sync, Pinboards, Rich content support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

7-Zip: Is 7-Zip free to use commercially?

Yes. 7-Zip is licensed under GNU LGPL with BSD 3-clause portions, permitting commercial and personal use without fees, registration, or restrictions.

Source
Paste: Is Paste free?

No. It is a subscription, priced around 2.49 to 3.99 US dollars a month or roughly 30 dollars a year, though it is also available through the Setapp bundle.

7-Zip: What file formats does 7-Zip support?

7-Zip natively creates 7z archives and supports packing/unpacking ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, TAR, and WIM. It can unpack 30+ additional formats including RAR, ISO, DMG, and VirtualBox disk images without requiring external tools.

Source
Paste: Does Paste sync between my Mac and iPhone?

Yes, that is its main differentiator, using iCloud to sync clipboard history across Mac, iPhone and iPad.

7-Zip: Does 7-Zip work on macOS and Linux?

Yes. 7-Zip operates on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Graphical interfaces are optimised for Windows; Linux and macOS primarily use command-line tools. Port and third-party GUI applications extend functionality on these platforms.

Source
Paste: Is there a free alternative that does not sync?

Yes, Maccy is free, open source and Mac-only with no sync, for users who do not need cross-device history.

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