PowerToys has quietly eaten a lot of the small, focused utilities that used to be paid staples of the Windows power‑user toolkit — and for many people that means a one‑time purchase or subscription is no longer necessary. A recent XDA piece argued that five paid apps (Divvy/DisplayFusion/AquaSnap, WindowTop, Synergy, several clipboard managers, and Listary) were rendered redundant by PowerToys features such as FancyZones, Always On Top, Mouse Without Borders, Advanced Paste and PowerToys Run. That claim tracks with the current public documentation and release notes from the PowerToys project, but the shift is not purely a win: there are trade‑offs for privacy, enterprise management, and edge‑case functionality that deserve attention.
PowerToys is an open‑source collection of modular utilities developed by Microsoft and the community. Since its modern revival it has moved from hobby project to a well‑maintained productivity suite: the repository and release artifacts are public on GitHub and updates are frequent, with feature releases adding new modules and refinements on a regular cadence. The project’s active release cycle means new capabilities can appear in PowerToys faster than they reach Windows as built‑in features. That model explains why users who used to buy small, specialized apps now find the same capabilities in one free package. (github.com)
PowerToys is intentionally modular: you install one package and enable only the utilities you want. This modularity reduces runtime overhead and lets users adopt features incrementally. It’s also a public development process: changes are visible in GitHub release notes, which helps IT teams and privacy‑conscious users audit the code and follow the project roadmap. (github.com)
WindowTop and similar tools often add picture‑in‑picture, opacity control, and more advanced PiP cropping — some of those advanced functions remain unique to those apps. WindowTop’s website documents a paid activation key starting at around $10 (sometimes shown at $9.99 or higher depending on the storefront). If your workflow relies heavily on PIP with interactive controls or advanced anchoring, WindowTop still offers a compelling set of extras. But for straightforward pinning, PowerToys’ Always On Top is simpler and frees you from additional licensing. (windowtop.info)
Synergy (from Symless) remains a go‑to when you need cross‑platform control (Windows, macOS, Linux) and enterprise‑grade remote keyboard encryption and configuration. Synergy’s current product tiers (a one‑time Synergy 3 license at roughly $29 for up to three machines, $49 for the “Ultimate” tier allowing more machines and extra features) remain relevant for multi‑OS households. If you only run Windows devices, PowerToys’ inclusion of Mouse Without Borders is a strong, cost‑free alternative. (symless.com, learn.microsoft.com)
Windows’ own Clipboard History (Win + V) remains the underlying cross‑device/pin storage for quick retrieval and cloud sync across Microsoft accounts. Combined, Clipboard History and Advanced Paste cover many of the typical needs: storage, retrieval, inline formatting, and quick conversions. (microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)
However, the choice to drop paid tools should be made after checking the specific advanced features you rely on, assessing enterprise deployment policies, and understanding the privacy implications of optional AI features. Paid apps with long histories (DisplayFusion, ClipboardFusion, ClipMate) still hold value for niche or business users who need vendor support, specialized automation, or unique multi‑monitor workflows. PowerToys is a remarkable, rapidly improving toolkit — but like all consolidation moves, it’s best adopted with verification and staged deployment for mission‑critical environments. (displayfusion.com, clipboardfusion.com)
When evaluating your own setup, begin with these practical first steps: enable FancyZones, try Always On Top for a week, test Mouse Without Borders on two Windows PCs, and evaluate Advanced Paste for formatting needs (remember to keep AI features opt‑in). If a paid utility still provides an indispensable workflow you can’t replicate, keep it — PowerToys is powerful, but it’s not yet a one‑size‑fits‑all replacement for every paid niche product. (learn.microsoft.com)
Source: xda-developers.com PowerToys made these 5 paid utilities obsolete for me
PowerToys is an open‑source collection of modular utilities developed by Microsoft and the community. Since its modern revival it has moved from hobby project to a well‑maintained productivity suite: the repository and release artifacts are public on GitHub and updates are frequent, with feature releases adding new modules and refinements on a regular cadence. The project’s active release cycle means new capabilities can appear in PowerToys faster than they reach Windows as built‑in features. That model explains why users who used to buy small, specialized apps now find the same capabilities in one free package. (github.com)PowerToys is intentionally modular: you install one package and enable only the utilities you want. This modularity reduces runtime overhead and lets users adopt features incrementally. It’s also a public development process: changes are visible in GitHub release notes, which helps IT teams and privacy‑conscious users audit the code and follow the project roadmap. (github.com)
FancyZones: the modern tiler that displaced multiple paid window managers
What FancyZones does today
FancyZones gives Windows users a way to define custom window zones, save layouts per monitor, and assign hotkeys to quickly snap windows into preconfigured zones. It supports spanning zones across monitors (with DPI restrictions), keyboard navigation between zones, and shortcut‑driven layout switching. FancyZones is now rich enough to cover most workflows that formerly required standalone tiling apps. (learn.microsoft.com)Which paid apps it replaces — and where it still falls short
- Divvy: a low‑cost, grid‑based tiler (historically a one‑time purchase around $14) that focused on keyboard-centric grid selection and shortcuts. Divvy’s simple grid and keyboard mapping provided an easy mental model; FancyZones matches and extends that functionality with per‑monitor layouts and saved templates. Public archives and vendor pages show Divvy historically sold for roughly $13–$15. (xbiz.com, divvy.app)
- DisplayFusion: a heavyweight multi‑monitor manager offering multi‑monitor taskbars, monitor splitting, and extensive window functions. DisplayFusion is a robust commercial product with multi‑tier pricing (personal / personal multiple machines / site licenses), often $30–$50 for consumer tiers; it still has features beyond FancyZones (monitor taskbars, monitor splitting, per‑application compatibility settings). For users who need DisplayFusion’s advanced multi‑monitor controls, FancyZones is not a full replacement. (displayfusion.com)
- AquaSnap: a lightweight window snapping and docking tool with a pro edition (around $29–$30). AquaSnap offers behaviors like window docking, snapping, and stretch features that overlap FancyZones’ capabilities; FancyZones covers most tiling and layout needs, but AquaSnap’s per‑window mouse shortcuts and some smaller UX niceties may still be preferred by some users. (nurgo-software.com, steambase.io)
Always On Top: the one‑shot fix for window pinning
PowerToys’ Always On Top vs specialized pinning tools
PowerToys includes a simple, reliable Always On Top toggle (default hotkey: Win + Ctrl + T) that pins the active window above others. The feature is lightweight, configurable, and integrated into the PowerToys settings UI. For users who only wanted a quick pin/unpin shortcut, Always On Top removes the need for a separate pinning app. (learn.microsoft.com)WindowTop and similar tools often add picture‑in‑picture, opacity control, and more advanced PiP cropping — some of those advanced functions remain unique to those apps. WindowTop’s website documents a paid activation key starting at around $10 (sometimes shown at $9.99 or higher depending on the storefront). If your workflow relies heavily on PIP with interactive controls or advanced anchoring, WindowTop still offers a compelling set of extras. But for straightforward pinning, PowerToys’ Always On Top is simpler and frees you from additional licensing. (windowtop.info)
Mouse Without Borders: cross‑PC control without a new purchase
What the feature is and how it compares
PowerToys ships with a Mouse Without Borders utility that enables control of up to four Windows PCs with the same keyboard and mouse, allows drag‑and‑drop file transfers, and supports shared clipboard between machines. The feature is integrated in PowerToys Settings and—even more importantly—includes an option to run as a service to allow controlling elevated apps or the lock screen, with an explicit security caveat documented by Microsoft. For Windows‑only multi‑PC setups, this removes the need to buy a dedicated product like Synergy. (learn.microsoft.com)Synergy (from Symless) remains a go‑to when you need cross‑platform control (Windows, macOS, Linux) and enterprise‑grade remote keyboard encryption and configuration. Synergy’s current product tiers (a one‑time Synergy 3 license at roughly $29 for up to three machines, $49 for the “Ultimate” tier allowing more machines and extra features) remain relevant for multi‑OS households. If you only run Windows devices, PowerToys’ inclusion of Mouse Without Borders is a strong, cost‑free alternative. (symless.com, learn.microsoft.com)
Security note
Mouse Without Borders provides a “Use Service” mode to run as SYSTEM for elevated control. Microsoft documentation warns that running this service increases attack surface and should be used with awareness of security trade‑offs; organizations should evaluate the risk before enabling service mode on sensitive endpoints. (learn.microsoft.com)Clipboard utilities: Advanced Paste + Windows Clipboard History vs paid clipboard managers
What XDA reported
The XDA author argues that Advanced Paste (in PowerToys) plus Windows’ built‑in Clipboard History (Win + V) replaces paid clipboard managers like ClipboardFusion Pro, ClipMate and Clipdiary. That’s largely correct for many workflows, but nuance matters.What Advanced Paste adds
PowerToys’ Advanced Paste exposes a small launcher (default Win + Shift + V) that can paste clipboard contents as plain text, Markdown, JSON, or even as files (.txt, .html, .png). It also includes an opt‑in AI paste mode that uses an OpenAI API key you supply, and the feature set keeps growing (custom actions, image‑to‑text conversion, paste as file, and more). Advanced Paste runs locally by default for most transforms, and Microsoft documents the OpenAI option as an explicit, user‑provided key — i.e., it won’t use your account by default without your action. (learn.microsoft.com)Windows’ own Clipboard History (Win + V) remains the underlying cross‑device/pin storage for quick retrieval and cloud sync across Microsoft accounts. Combined, Clipboard History and Advanced Paste cover many of the typical needs: storage, retrieval, inline formatting, and quick conversions. (microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)
Where paid clipboard managers still win
Paid managers like ClipboardFusion (Binary Fortress), ClipMate, and Clipdiary typically offer:- Longer history retention, advanced snippet organization, and heavier macro/script support.
- Synchronization models and cloud backup options with vendor support.
- Complex macros and programmatic transformations (ClipboardFusion supports C# macros).
- Legacy enterprise features or long‑term archival that some organizations still need.
PowerToys Run (and Command Palette): the free Spotlight replacement
What the tools do
PowerToys historically included PowerToys Run, a Spotlight‑like quick launcher (default Alt + Space) for apps, files and commands. That functionality evolved into the Command Palette, which expands the feature set (richer extensions, command execution, window switching) and ships with a different default shortcut (Win + Alt + Space). The Command Palette is intended to be the successor to Run, but Run is still available in settings for those who prefer the familiar Alt + Space mapping. (learn.microsoft.com, theverge.com)How this compares to Listary and other paid launchers
Listary has long been a favored paid option for power users who wanted quick, context‑aware file search and specialized filters. The vendor lists a one‑time life‑time Pro price of $19.95 and provides a free version for personal use; historically users paid for the Pro extras. PowerToys Run/Command Palette matches Listary for local app and file search speed and keyboard‑first workflows; it doesn’t attempt to replicate every Listary filter or remote indexing feature, but for pure local productivity the free PowerToys launcher is as fast and often better integrated. (listary.com)Shortcut and UX changes to be aware of
The Command Palette moved to Win + Alt + Space in recent releases to avoid shortcut conflicts with OS functions and other utilities; the older Alt + Space mapping (PowerToys Run) can still be reenabled if desired. If you have muscle memory built on Alt + Space, check PowerToys’ settings after upgrading. The change is deliberate and intended to avoid conflicts with emerging system and AI features. (learn.microsoft.com, windowslatest.com)Critical analysis: strengths, caveats, and the risks to consider
Strengths
- Cost and consolidation: For most Windows users, PowerToys converts multiple niche purchases into a single free, integrated toolset. This is a tangible savings and reduces install/update friction.
- Integration and discoverability: Because PowerToys is from Microsoft and runs tightly with Windows, things such as system hotkeys, admin policies, and UI behavior are better coordinated than many third‑party utilities. (github.com)
- Open development model: Public GitHub development encourages rapid iteration, community patches, and auditability — useful for security‑minded users and admins. (github.com)
Risks and limitations
- Enterprise and management friction: Frequent updates and low‑level hooks (keyboard, mouse, clipboard) can conflict with endpoint protection or corporate policies. IT teams should pilot PowerToys and validate telemetry, installer hashes, and update policies before broad deployment. PowerToys provides machine‑wide installers and SHA256 hashes for enterprise imaging, but it is not an “inbox” Windows component and may require approval.
- Feature parity and edge cases: Some paid tools still offer advanced features that PowerToys doesn’t replicate perfectly — e.g., DisplayFusion’s multi‑monitor taskbars and very specific monitor splitting workflows, WindowTop’s advanced PiP interactivity, and ClipboardFusion’s scripted macros. Users dependent on those advanced capabilities should evaluate carefully before migrating. (displayfusion.com, windowtop.info, clipboardfusion.com)
- AI and privacy: Advanced Paste supports an opt‑in OpenAI key. That design reduces surprise data flow, but any AI integration involving external APIs means users must manage API keys, usage quotas, and potential data exposure. Microsoft documents an explicit GPO rule to disallow online models in Advanced Paste, which is a helpful enterprise control. Be deliberate about enabling AI features for sensitive content. (github.com, learn.microsoft.com)
- Security considerations for cross‑PC control: Mouse Without Borders can be installed as a service to control elevated apps; Microsoft warns that service mode increases attack surface and administrators should consider trust boundaries before enabling it. (learn.microsoft.com)
- Stability and regressions: Rapid release cadence means features evolve quickly but regressions sometimes slip through. PowerToys’ test coverage and frequent hotfixes mitigate this, but conservative users should stage updates or rely on Store‑side installs where suitable. (github.com)
Practical guidance: how to replace paid tools safely and incrementally
- Inventory: list the exact paid features you rely on (e.g., DisplayFusion’s monitor taskbars, WindowTop PiP interactivity, ClipboardFusion macros).
- Test: install PowerToys from the official GitHub releases or Microsoft Store and enable modules one at a time in a sandbox or test machine. Verify behavior with your actual apps (terminals, GPU accelerated apps, games).
- Keep backups: if you’re replacing a paid app that stores settings or snippets, export or back up that data before uninstalling.
- Check shortcuts: after upgrading, confirm the Command Palette/Run shortcuts and FancyZones hotkeys match your muscle memory; PowerToys allows remapping.
- Enterprise rollout: use machine‑wide installers, verify SHA256 hashes, and pilot with a small group. Document GPOs (for example: disallow online AI in Advanced Paste) if governance is required. (github.com)
Final verdict
For the majority of power users and productivity‑minded individuals, PowerToys is now a credible, cost‑free replacement for many small paid utilities. FancyZones, Always On Top, Mouse Without Borders, Advanced Paste, and the Command Palette/PowerToys Run collectively cover the core functions that previously justified small purchases such as Divvy, WindowTop, Synergy (for Windows‑only setups), clipboard managers, and Listary. The consolidation reduces cost and friction while offering the added benefit of deep OS integration and open development.However, the choice to drop paid tools should be made after checking the specific advanced features you rely on, assessing enterprise deployment policies, and understanding the privacy implications of optional AI features. Paid apps with long histories (DisplayFusion, ClipboardFusion, ClipMate) still hold value for niche or business users who need vendor support, specialized automation, or unique multi‑monitor workflows. PowerToys is a remarkable, rapidly improving toolkit — but like all consolidation moves, it’s best adopted with verification and staged deployment for mission‑critical environments. (displayfusion.com, clipboardfusion.com)
When evaluating your own setup, begin with these practical first steps: enable FancyZones, try Always On Top for a week, test Mouse Without Borders on two Windows PCs, and evaluate Advanced Paste for formatting needs (remember to keep AI features opt‑in). If a paid utility still provides an indispensable workflow you can’t replicate, keep it — PowerToys is powerful, but it’s not yet a one‑size‑fits‑all replacement for every paid niche product. (learn.microsoft.com)
Source: xda-developers.com PowerToys made these 5 paid utilities obsolete for me