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Utilities · head to head

Kap vs Maccy

Kap logo

Kap

Utilities

Free open source screen recorder for macOS, focused on video and GIF capture rather than annotation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Maccy logo

Maccy

Utilities

Free open source clipboard history manager for macOS with no account, sync fee or subscription

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kap it has no annotation tools at all, so any still-image markup work needs a separate app such as Shottr or CleanShot X.; Maccy there is no iPhone or iPad app and no sync between machines, so clipboard history does not follow a user to another device.
  • They diverge on capability: Kap covers Multi-format export, Maccy covers Clipboard history.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kap and Maccy actually diverge.

Attributes where Kap and Maccy differ
AttributeKapMaccy

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Open source, no licence fee), free tier (Yes), platforms (Mac), 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 Kap

  • Multi-format export
  • Area, window or display capture
  • Plugin system
  • Basic trimming
  • Menu bar operation

Only in Maccy

  • Clipboard history
  • Keyboard navigation
  • Local-only storage
  • Password exclusion
  • Lightweight footprint

Both cover

  • Open source

What people use each for

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

Kap

  • A developer recording a demo GIF for a README or documentation pagenot Maccy
  • A marketer capturing a quick product walkthrough clip without buying screen recording softwarenot Maccy
  • Someone creating App Store style device-framed screenshots for a listingnot Maccy
  • A user who only needs video capture and does not want to pay for a suite of annotation features they will not usenot Maccy

Maccy

  • A developer or writer who copies and pastes constantly and wants fast, searchable history on one Macnot Kap
  • Anyone who wants clipboard history but does not want their clipboard data touching any cloud servicenot Kap
  • A user who tried Paste and does not need iPhone or iPad sync, only wants the Mac functionality for freenot Kap
  • Someone installing via Homebrew who wants a minimal, single-purpose menu bar utilitynot Kap

Where each one falls short

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

Kap

  • It has no annotation tools at all, so any still-image markup work needs a separate app such as Shottr or CleanShot X.
  • There is no scrolling capture or OCR, features both Shottr and CleanShot X include.
  • Editing is limited to basic trimming, so anything beyond a simple cut needs a dedicated video editor afterward.
  • It is Mac only, offering nothing for screen recording needs on Windows.
  • As a volunteer-maintained open source project, updates and bug fixes depend on community contribution rather than a company with paid support obligations.

Maccy

  • There is no iPhone or iPad app and no sync between machines, so clipboard history does not follow a user to another device.
  • It has no snippets, templates or organised boards, so a user wanting structured reusable text needs a different tool as well.
  • It is Mac only, so it offers nothing for a Windows machine in the same workflow.
  • As a volunteer-maintained open source project, there is no guaranteed support response time if something breaks.
  • Very large clipboard histories with many images can still use meaningful memory, though far less than a heavier commercial equivalent.

Pricing, plan by plan

Kap

Free
  • KapFree
    • Free and open source under the MIT licence
    • MP4, WebM, GIF and device frame export
    • Plugin system for extended workflows

Maccy

Free
  • MaccyFree
    • Free and open source under the MIT licence
    • Unlimited local clipboard history
    • No account or sync required

Which should you pick?

Choose Kap if

  • You need multi-format export.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want area, window or display capture.
Kap review

Choose Maccy if

  • You need clipboard history.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want keyboard navigation.
Maccy review

Questions people ask

Is Kap or Maccy better?
Neither clearly leads. Kap starts at Free and Maccy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kap or Maccy?
Kap starts at Free and Maccy at Free.
Does Kap or Maccy run on more platforms?
Both run on Mac, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Kap for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Kap best used for?
Kap is most often used for a developer recording a demo gif for a readme or documentation page, a marketer capturing a quick product walkthrough clip without buying screen recording software, someone creating app store style device-framed screenshots for a listing, a user who only needs video capture and does not want to pay for a suite of annotation features they will not use. Of those, a developer recording a demo gif for a readme or documentation page and a marketer capturing a quick product walkthrough clip without buying screen recording software are not what Maccy is typically brought in for.
What can Kap do that Maccy cannot?
Kap covers Multi-format export, Area, window or display capture, Plugin system, Basic trimming. Maccy covers Clipboard history, Keyboard navigation, Local-only storage, Password exclusion. Both handle Open source.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kap: Is Kap free?

Yes, entirely. It is open source under the MIT licence with no paid tier.

Maccy: Is Maccy free?

Yes, entirely. It is open source under the MIT licence with no paid tier.

Kap: Does Kap do screenshots or only video?

It is focused on video and GIF recording. For still screenshots with annotation, pair it with Shottr or CleanShot X.

Maccy: Does Maccy sync across devices?

No. It stores clipboard history only on the local Mac, with no iPhone, iPad or cross-Mac sync.

Kap: Can Kap export directly to GIF?

Yes, GIF is one of its native export formats alongside MP4, WebM and Apple device frames.

Maccy: Is my clipboard data sent anywhere?

No. Maccy stores everything locally and does not upload clipboard content.

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