Built-in vs app · checked October 17, 2026

Ditto vs Windows clipboard history

The verdict

The verdict: For most people the built-in clipboard history (Windows + V) is enough. It keeps your last 25 copies and pinned items survive a restart. Ditto is a free, open-source app worth installing if you want a much longer history that survives restarts, with search and saved snippets.

Side by side

Feature	Windows clipboard history	Ditto
Price	Free, built in	Free, open source
How many items	Last 25	As many as you set
After a restart	Only pinned items stay	Everything stays
Finding an old clip	Scroll the panel	Type to search
Shortcut	Windows + V	Ctrl + ` by default, can be changed

Which one to pick

Pick Windows clipboard history if you just want the last few copies back. Turn it on and you are done.
Pick Ditto if you write, code or do support work and reuse the same snippets every day.

The options

Windows clipboard history

Built in

Best for: Pasting something you copied a few minutes ago.

Good

Nothing to install
Pin items you reuse
Optional sync between PCs with a Microsoft account

Not so good

Only the last 25 items
Unpinned items are cleared on restart

How to set it up

Ditto

Free, open source

Best for: People who copy and paste all day.

Good

History as long as you want, kept after restarts
Type to search old clips
Groups for saved snippets

Not so good

One more app running in the background
Stores everything you copy unless you exclude apps

Ditto website

Questions people ask

Is Ditto safe to install?

It is open source and has been around for many years. Like any clipboard manager it keeps what you copy, so exclude your password manager in its settings or clear it often.

Can I use Ditto and Windows + V together?

Yes. They use different shortcuts, so they do not clash. Most people end up using only one.

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