Have you noticed the latest trend in organizing and decluttering? Yes, it's common for homes, but why not extend it to our digital lives and get rid of unnecessary clutter to reclaim valuable space and speed up our Macs? This is where cleaner software can come into play.
Today we introduce the best Mac cleaning software. To help you get started, we've put together a quick comparison overview of the best Mac cleaners for Mac.
| Evaluation | Name | Functions | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CleanMyMacX | Combines cleaning, optimization, maintenance and malware protection functionality in one app | Clutch |
| 2 | Avast Cleanup Premium | Detects and removes all kinds of junk files, uninstalls unnecessary apps | Clutch |
| 3 | Disk Doctor | Finds and removes various types of junk files that can be deleted safely | Clutch |
A handy cleaning app not only removes unnecessary files but also helps maintain and optimize your Mac. Keep reading to learn about the best Mac cleaning tools out there and choose one that best suits your needs.
Top 10 Best Maccleaner Software Solutions
1.CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac The System Junk module performs a thorough scan of your Mac's storage and detects junk such as user cache, system logs, installation files, old updates, and other things. It also shows your downloads and lets you delete unnecessary files - you don't have to do this annoying task manually.
Honestly, CleanMyMac X is the Tesla Roadster of other Mac cleaners. And it does an excellent job at uncovering your junk and other clutter, removing unnecessary apps and their leftovers, deleting local copies of attachments, keeping your Mac's system clean and optimized, and much more. It comes with 14 modules,according to CleanMyMac users, "keep the system running at maximum efficiency and protect it from malicious software," and each is a set of tools that do much more than just delete unused files.
Wondering if a paid version is worth buying? Start by running the Smart Scan feature, which is also available in the free trial versionhere, to perform some tasks and see how it affects your Mac.
Another benefit is that CleanMyMac
Official website
Taken: $39.95/year
Free trial: Availableher
| Benefit | Cons |
| Has an intuitive and attractive user interface | Doesn't find duplicate files - this may require an additional Mac system cleaner |
| A rich set of features gives users peace of mind Don't forget to know that they can achieve numerous goals with just one app | There is no option to schedule a scan |
| Runs in the background scanning system for vulnerabilities and notifies you when cleaning is needed | Does not offer threat quarantine and firewall |
2.Avast Cleanup Premium
You've probably heard of Avast antivirus, or maybe you even have it on your Mac. This cybersecurity software company has created many more products, and a Mac cleaner is one of them. Avast Cleanup Premium is a junk cleaner and a smart uninstaller: it allows you to perform various scans and remove unnecessary system files, duplicates and browser data, as well as uninstall applications.
It also comes with a tool to analyze images and find similar and bad images. Avast Cleanup also has a tool to manage startup items, which is handy enough because you can access all the login items from one place and you don't have to look for them in System Preferences. The duplicate file finder can scan not only your Mac's hard drive, but also external hard drives, which many users may find useful. And it not only locates identical files, but also folders, songs and videos.
However, Avast Cleanup doesn't come with a built-in antivirus, so if you're looking for an antimalware tool, you'll need to install the company's separate antivirus app.
Official website
Taken: $65.99/year
Free trial: A 30-day trial period is available
| Benefit | Cons |
| Comes with several modules specially designed for cleaning | Too many system messages are being sent |
| The uninstall tool shows apps that have not been used for more than six months | Doesn't have a tool to manage or delete email attachments |
| The trial version is not limited: a user can fully test all functionality of all modules | Does not come with memory and CPU screen |
3. Disk Doctor
Developed in Great Britain, Disk Doctor was awarded the "Mac Gem" award by MacWorld in 2013. CNET and other technology journalists also praise the functionality. In 2024, it still looks like a handy Mac drive cleaning utility, removing junk that slows down the computer and reduces your Mac's processing power.
It is the best Mac cleaner for those looking for an affordable app. Disk Doctor can help you free up disk space in just a few clicks and is known as a fast and easy-to-use cleaning software. It has a great file finder and can be used to delete the following categories of unnecessary files: caches, browser data, application logs, partial downloads, files from recycle bins, old iOS software updates and much more. However, it cannot remove unwanted apps and identical files. But if your main concern is using disk space and not looking for an optimization tool, Disk Doctor is a top choice.
Official website
Taken: $ 2,99
Free trial: N.v.t
| Benefit | Cons |
| Low price - this makes Disk Doctor one of the most affordable cleaner software solutions for a Mac | No free trial |
| Safe tool because it is distributed through the Mac App Store | Possible compatibility issues: Delays between the release of new macOS versions and app updates |
| Intuitive user interface and ability to preview files before deleting them | Does not come with the duplicate finder |
4. Gemini 2
Gemini 2is the duplicate finder that helps you free up gigabytes of storage space and organize your files. In a few minutes. You may have heard of it as a tool to find and remove duplicate images. But it does more than just that.
Gemini 2 quickly scans every corner of your Mac and removes useless copies. Whatever type of file it is: a photo, song or document... Gemini will definitely find it. And once the scan is done, you can remove the duplicates with one click. Or review the results to make sure nothing important has been removed. It's a great Mac cleaning solution that prevents unnecessary clutter.
If you accidentally delete something, it only takes one click to put it back. And to make sure things like this never happen again, you can exclude certain files and folders from the scan. Try the free version in real lifeher.
The app received a major update in 2022, including a real-time duplicate screen. This new tool alerts you to duplicates as soon as they are created on your Mac, so you don't even have to create identical files. It also has a new-found app that lets you open the tool directly from the menu bar, so you don't have to search for it in the Applications folder. You can even end the duplicate file cleanup from the menu bar. Practical, right?
Official website
Taken: $19.95/year
Free trial: Availableher
| Benefit | Cons |
| Can scan various folders and hard drives (including external hard drives) for duplicate files | Only finds similar files — does not find similar folders |
| Finds not only duplicate images, but also similar images, with the preview available to compare the found items | Does not come with an app uninstaller |
| Highly specialized duplicate finder | Does not have a separate optimization tool |
5.DaisyDisk
DaisyDisk gives you a visual representation of your Mac folders, so you can easily see what's taking up space and delete the folders you don't need. All you have to do is select a drive; DaisyDisk will scan it, then you can delete anything that's wasting valuable space. This Mac cleaning software comes with a free and premium version.
To delete files, a user must drag and drop the selected files to the bottom of the window. The process will start in a few seconds, so there is still a chance to stop it. It is also possible to preview files before deleting them.Users love it"how organized DaisyDisk is and how easy the app is to use."
However, even with this functionality, some research on the part of the user may be required. It's unclear whether the files shown in this fun and attractive diagram are absolutely safe to delete.
Official website
Taken: $9,99
Free trial: Trial version available
| Benefit | Cons |
| The user interface is attractive and interactive | The functionality of the free version is limited |
| The scanning process is fast and covers all files including large and hidden files | Deleting files requires a lot of manual work and a lot of effort from the user. The files are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered |
| Multiple drives can be connected and scanned, including a boot drive and external hard drives | Possible problems with deleting essential information instead of unnecessary files |
6. CCleaner
CCleaner was created in 2004 by Piriform and comes with a free and professional version aimed at business and enterprise customers. CCleaner is a cross-platform tool for PCs, Macs and Android, and has a cloud, network and technician tool depending on what you need and the platform/software you use.
The free version comes with a cleaner, uninstaller, duplicate finder and root finder. The app cleans up both system and browser junk files, deletes downloads and disables startup programs. It can also record large files. Moreover, the free version is equipped with a tool to find bad and similar images. As for the duplicate file finder, developers claim that it only searches for files with identical contents.
The professional version comes with many more features, including real-time alerts, automatic browser cleaning, and dedicated support. This version of the cleaning software also comes with a scheduled scanning feature, making it almost impossible to forget to clean up Mac disk space. No unnecessary files and clutter will go unnoticed!
Although it was created for PCs in its early days, CCleaner does a good job of identifying junk files on a Mac, allowing users to select the files and folders they don't need and delete them to free up space. As a Mac cleaner, customers are quite satisfied with the results of CCleaner. However, it is necessary to note that there have been reports of bundled software, so it is crucial to download this Mac cleaning app only from the developer's website to avoid unnecessary malware-related risks.
Official website
Taken: $29.95/year
Free version: Available
| Benefit | Cons |
| The process of installing and scanning Mac computers is fast | The trial version comes with the limited functionality |
| It is an all-in-one Mac cleanup software that allows the user to find duplicate files and unnecessary files | Even the professional version does not have an anti-malware or attachment management tool |
| The app is constantly updated and they are automatically installed in the background | Although it comes with an app uninstaller, it does not delete residual files. Another special tool or manual removal may be required |
7. Parallels Toolkit
Parallels Toolbox is basically a set of utilities for your Mac. It includes more than 30 tools to help you quickly perform routine tasks on your Mac, such as taking screenshots, recording audio, setting timers, and cleaning up your drive. Considering the many tools available, Parallels Toolbox is more of an optimization tool than a cleaning software.
But the Clean Drive feature probably won't thoroughly clean up your Mac: it removes some junk files, but doesn't show 100% accurate information about files in the Trash. It also lets you view your large files and display the most demanding apps on your Mac, which is useful when you're running low on free disk space.
What is useful is that it gives a reminder to clean the drive. When enabled, the app will notify you when it can free at least 2 GB of junk files from the hard drive. However, it will not find duplicate files or temporary files. But some users may find it helpful to keep their Mac maintained and optimized.
Official website
Taken:$24.99/year
Free trial:A 7-day trial period is available
| Benefit | Cons |
An all-in-one optimization tool for Mac | The app is sending too many notifications |
| Easy to use app with an intuitive and user-friendly interface | Does not show accurate information about files to be deleted |
| Alternatives can be more expensive – multiple apps are needed to replace the functionality of this one tool | Each tool launches as a separate app and may use too many system resources |
8. App cleaner and uninstaller
If you only need to uninstall apps on Mac, App Cleaner & Uninstaller is a great alternative Mac cleaning software for you. This app uninstaller developed by Nektonyl allows you to uninstall applications, plugins, widgets, launcher apps and app related files. The app's interface is also clean and easy to understand for a beginner.
After uninstalling apps with App Cleaner, go to the Remaining Files section of the app to delete any remaining files. It also has a handy drag-and-drop feature: just drag any of your apps into the App Cleaner & Uninstaller window and you'll see a full list of files the app stores on your Mac.
It has a peculiar tool called Open With. When you open it, you can browse different file extensions and formats and view apps that can open those files. Wondering what that has to do with how much storage space you have on your Mac computer? You will be surprised that you can uninstall apps designed to work with the same formats. For example, this app cleaner detected four different apps that we could use to open text documents. No need to say that we have not opened some of them, so uninstalling these applications can free up some storage space. But if you need a tool to delete junk files, find hidden files or scan all files on your Mac, you need an alternative.
Official website
Taken: $14.95/year
Free trial: A 3-day trial period is available.
Benefit | Cons |
| Can disable startup items, delete apps and associated files | Can't remove duplicate files, large files or junk - may require other apps from the developer |
| Unlimited functionality of the free trial version | Can't uninstall or reset native apps (the apps that come pre-installed with macOS). |
| A clean and intuitive user interface | No malware detection or removal tool |
9. OnyX
Another app that is among the best Mac cleaning software is OnyX. It's not a Mac cleanup app per se, but instead it's an app that allows users to add a range of different rules that can optimize their Macs and give them more control over files and anything that takes up disk space. It is especially loved among tech-savvy Mac users as it offers tons of options for customizing macOS.
With its rules, this Mac cleanup software can replace the use of Terminal or other command-line tools to perform various tasks on the computer. As far as cleaning the Mac is concerned, the following can be performed: a deep clean of apps, system and internet browsers, deleting log files and other system files, and removing exact duplicates, to name a few.
OnyX also comes with tools to maintain your Mac and change various settings and how macOS looks and works, and these changes are made at a very deep level. As convenient as it is, it also requires extra caution.
Official website
Taken: Free
Free trial:Not usable
| Benefit | Cons |
Provides a powerful toolkit for Mac customization | Requires technical expertise to be used appropriately; novice Mac users will find it too advanced |
Allows customization of macOS at deep levels | Each macOS upgrade requires users to install a different version of the app - this one is macOS specific |
Runs even on the oldest macOS versions, andsay the usersthat all versions are always reliable | Developers only support the latest version of the app |
10.Mac Cleaner Pro
Mac Cleaner Pro is another tool developed by Nektony - also the maker of App Cleaner & Uninstaller.say the usersthey are quite satisfied with the app because "it does what it claims to do and makes it very easy for the user to use." Mac Cleaner Pro is basically a tool for cleaning and speeding up your Mac. When you install and launch the app, you'll see a detailed diagram with colored storage categories, similar to the categories you see in the About This Mac section of your Mac.
Mac Cleaner Pro's interface is clean and straightforward: click Cleanup to view the junk files detected by the app and delete them immediately. It detects several types of files that can be deleted immediately: attachments, caches, trash, language and installation files, screenshots and downloads. When you tap on each category of the categories described above, you can first see what the app is going to delete. It is possible to select the files you want to delete, making it easier to ensure that necessary information is not accidentally lost.
Besides the cleaning tool, Mac Cleaner Pro also comes with a duplicate file finder, app cleaner and uninstaller, hidden file hunter, memory cleaner and space analyzer. These are all essentially separate apps that are launched by tapping on one of them. So be prepared for the installation file to contain six apps instead of the one you were hoping to install.
Official website
Taken: $29.95/year
Free trial: A 2-day trial period is available
| Benefit | Cons |
| Beautifully designed and user-friendly interface | Multiple apps are installed within 1 installation file |
| Offers a variety of tools for cleaning and optimizing Mac | Does not detect malware |
| Offers a one-time purchase or an annual subscription | To use different tools, it is necessary to switch between apps - not always practical and can be resource intensive |
Hopefully, you now know which software is the best Mac cleaning app for you. Make cleaning Mac comfortable and stay tuned for more updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't my Mac clean itself?
Your macOS also has a built-in Mac cleaner that Apple called Optimize Storage. It is available from the Storage tab of your Mac computer's System Preferences. Although the options are limited, it will give you basic instructions on where to start the cleanup. But for a thorough system cleanup and malware removal, you'll need a dedicated Mac cleanup app.
Can Mac Cleanup Apps Delete My Important Files?
Normally, the best Mac cleaning apps have built-in protection. Usually, they only select the files that can be safely deleted.
Will Mac Cleaners Slow Down My Mac?
Some cleaners try to get into your login elements, which puts an additional load on the processor. On the other hand, the trusted Mac cleanup apps can even speed up your Mac. They remove all outdated junk files, giving your Mac an extra boost.
