Different clipboard managers for Linux | 2021

In this article, you will learn about clipboard managers and what are the different clipboard managers available for Linux.

A clipboard manager keeps track of the things that you have copied in your system. It keeps the history of it just like the history command that has all the commands list that you have executed in the shell so far.

Here is an example of a clipboard manager.

Now if you are convinced to get a clipboard manager then you can install it in your Linux distribution in mainly two ways.

• As an application and
• As a plugin or extension

Clipboard managers as extension/plugin for Linux

A clipboard manager can easily be installed as an extension or plugin. Different desktop environments have different clipboard extensions and plugins. Here is a list of some of the most popular desktop environments.

1. Gnome Desktop Environment

Gnome is one of the most popular desktop environment for Linux and comes as a default in many well known distro like Ubuntu, Fedora, Redhat, etc.

Best thing about the Gnome is that it support extensions, just like s browser. So you can install a clipboard manager that way. Here are some of the clipboard manger extensions for the Gnome.

Clipboard Indicator Clipper

Setup extension support in Gnome ‣ How to install extensions in Gnome | 2020

Also, check ‣ Best 5 Gnome extensions you must have

2. For XFCE & KDE Desktop Environments

You can also install plugins in XFCE and KDE desktop environments. They are similar to the extensions.

In order to install plugins in these desktop environments, simply open up the software center and search for the clipboard, you shall see many clipboard managers in the result.

Clipman – a popular clipboard plugin for XFCE
Klipper – another popular clipboard manager for KDE

3. Clipboard Managers As Applications

As not all the desktop environments support the extensions or plugins, you can still get a clipboard manager. For that, you have to use standalone applications.

Here are some of the best clipboard manager applications for Linux.

CopyQ Clipboard Manager

CopyQ is an advanced clipboard manager with editing and scripting features for Linux.

You can install CopyQ in Ubuntu and derivative using the ppa.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:hluk/copyq
sudo apt update
sudo apt install copyq

For other distributions, you can use the .rpm and .deb package files. You can also install it from the source files manually.

Download CopyQ

Similar to CopyQ there are many clipboard manager are available to Linux.

‣ Parcellite
‣ GPaste
‣ Glipper

So you have a long list of options to choose from to get a clipboard manager. All these applications have similar interface and use-case so there will not be any hustle of learning curve.

Watch Video guide on YouTube

Additionally, You can also watch a step-by-step video guide on YouTube to get a better understanding of it.

Conclusion

So that’s it about the clipboard managers for Linux. Let me know what you think about it in the comments and subscribe to the LinuxH2O Youtube channel. Till then, keep enjoying Linux.

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