Clop

Clop is a macOS image, video, PDF and clipboard optimizer from Low-Tech Guys. It reduces file sizes for sharing, documents and publishing, using local encoders and configurable compression, conversion and resizing workflows. It suits people handling screenshots, recordings, photos and attachments; achievable savings depend on the source and settings, and lossy operations can alter quality.

Features

• Automatically optimize copied images and files in configured watched folders.
• Drop files onto the floating drop zone or run optimization on demand.
• Resize, crop and convert media through floating result controls.
• Chain operations in pipelines and apply them through preset zones.
• Compress PDFs and optimize supported audio and video formats.
• Integrate with Finder, Shortcuts and the clop command-line interface.
• Use larger batch workflows and the optional MCP server with Pro.

Install and system requirements

Install with brew install --cask clop, or download the official DMG and move Clop.app into Applications. Launch the app, review settings and configure which clipboard content and folders it should watch. Current publisher information requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later; the catalog raw requirement still says macOS 13. Follow the newer publisher requirement for current 3.5.0 rather than assuming Ventura support from the cask. The official source project also sets the main application deployment target to 14.0.

Clop is a Mac application, not a Windows or Linux application. Apple Silicon's Media Engine can accelerate supported video encoding; available hardware acceleration and codecs depend on the Mac and macOS. HDR conversion/cropping has feature-specific requirements: AVIF HDR preservation and HDR cropping described in 3.5.0 require macOS 15 or later. The official 3.5.0 DMG was verified against the catalog SHA-256. Its application executable is Universal, containing x86_64 and arm64 slices for native Intel and Apple Silicon execution; Rosetta is not required for the native Apple Silicon main application. The packaged Info.plist declares macOS 13.0, while the publisher's current support statement requires macOS 14 or later. Use the publisher's supported baseline rather than interpreting the lower bundle declaration as a support guarantee.

File handling and permissions

Automatic clipboard optimization examines supported copied content while enabled. Watched folders process matching files automatically. Review the selected folders, destinations, compression and metadata settings before enabling automation, especially for originals or shared folders. Optimization can replace files in place. The publisher provides an originals backup folder and restore controls; keep independent backups for important media and verify the result before deleting backups.

Conversion and stronger compression can change file format, resolution, HDR, metadata or audio/video quality. Some operations intentionally remove metadata, and different formats preserve transparency differently. Verify color, transparency, playback and required camera/location metadata for your use case. File-size targets cannot guarantee every source remains visually identical.

Clop needs access to the files and folders being processed. Review macOS access prompts and enable only the clipboard, Finder, folder and integration features you intend to use. The official material examined does not establish blanket Full Disk Access or Screen Recording permission as a prerequisite for ordinary optimization; optimizing a saved screen recording is distinct from recording the screen itself. Custom pipeline script steps execute user-specified code, and agent integrations can manipulate files and settings: use trusted scripts and review automation permissions.

Dependencies and integrations

The publisher lists pngquant, jpegoptim, gifsicle, ffmpeg, libvips, gifski and Ghostscript among its encoder tools. The 3.5.0 notes explicitly describe bundled utilities exposed to script steps through CLOP_BIN. Ordinary app installation does not require separately installing every listed encoder through Homebrew. Source builds are a separate development workflow. The cask lists no additional formula dependency or explicit conflicting cask.

Dropshare uploads and file-shelf integrations require the corresponding external application and configuration; they are optional rather than included cloud storage. Avoid having multiple optimizers automatically rewrite the same watched files, which can trigger repeated processing or surprising results. The optional MCP server requires Pro and its Enable MCP setting; connecting an AI client does not mean that client or its model service is included in Clop's price.

Privacy, accounts, cost and license

Media optimization runs locally. This does not mean every feature is offline: URL drops download files, optional upload integrations send data to their configured services, and updates/licensing require network access. The privacy policy describes Sentry crash reporting that may include OS/Mac information, IP address and a consented contact email; Paddle handles checkout and licensing. Review both the policy and optional integrations for sensitive files.

The publisher offers free features that continue after a 14-day Pro trial. Its current website advertises a lifetime Pro license at EUR 15, subject to checkout terms and applicable taxes. Pro adds features including larger batch workflows and the MCP server; the current page says free drops can contain up to five files. Do not treat the older repository feature table as a complete current entitlement list. An online service account is not documented as necessary for ordinary local free optimization; paid activation uses a license and network verification through Paddle.

The application source is licensed under GPLv3, while bundled components have their own licenses. Open-source licensing does not mean every feature in the publisher's distributed Pro offering is free of charge. The separate Clop SDK uses MIT terms, which are not the application license.

The official 3.5.0 DMG is 101,204,159 bytes according to HTTP HEAD metadata. Installed storage, temporary processing files and originals backups require additional space.

Sources: Official product and current requirements, Privacy policy, Official source and license, 3.5.0 announcement.