CleanMyMac review (2024)

Most antivirus companies that publishmacOS antivirus programsstarted with Windows security products. Not Kiev-based MacPaw, which makes CleanMyMac. CleanMyMac is Mac-centric through and through, combinedantivirus protectionwith a wide range of features to clean and tune your Mac. The cleanup functions are efficient and very useful. Kernen antivirus visibly does its job, but lacks some standard features and has no lab test results.

On the contraryBitdefender Antivirus for MacInNorton 360 Deluxe for Machas perfect scores from AV-Test, and Bitdefender adds a perfect score from AV-Comparatives. Norton is a cross-platform security suite with no limitationsVPNand 50 GB of storage space for your (Windows) online backups. Bitdefender also offers a VPN, ransomware protection, and a few other bonuses. It also doesn't help clean up and speed up your Mac as much as CleanMyMac, but these two are our Editors' Choice antivirus picks for Mac.

Note that CleanMyMac's online description clearly states that it "fights malware, adware, ransomware, and all other 'goods' specific to macOS." I think of this program as an antivirus program for Macs, one that happens to have a great collection of bonus tools for cleaning and tuning your Mac. A review that focuses on the cleanup side may well take a different approach.

How much does CleanMyMac cost?

A one-year Mac subscription to CleanMyMac costs $39.95, the same (or almost the same) as Bitdefender, ESET,Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac, InWebroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus for Mac. After that it gets confusing. The list price for a CleanMyMac subscription for two devices is $79.90, and for five devices it goes up to a whopping $199.75. But these prices are reduced with a volume discount (always active) and a daily coupon discount. If you ignore the coupon discount, you'll pay $59.95 for two licenses after the volume discount, about the same asF-Secure Safe for Mac. A five-device subscription costs $89.95. Once you get past the discount confusion, CleanMyMac's prices are in line with the competition.

Avast, Avira and AVG are free, which is useful if you're on a budgetMac-antivirus. At the other end of the price spectrum, Norton quotes $104.99 per year to protect five devices. It sounds loud, but Norton is a completely cross-platform security suite. Plus, for that price you get five licenses of Norton's VPN and 50 GB of online storage for your backups.

Like itSophos Home Premium tot Mac, CleanMyMac requires onemacOSversion of at least High Sierra (10.13). That should be an easy requirement to meet, considering how easy Apple makes it to stay informed. Some competitors even require newer versions.Norton 360 Deluxe for Macfor example, supports the current version and the previous two, meaning Ventura (13), Monterey (12) and Big Sur (11).

Some Mac users are stuck with an old macOS version, perhaps due to outdated hardware. No problem; protection is still available. For example,ProtectWorks AntiVirus for Macsupports versions back to Snow Leopard (10.6), andTarget Mac Internet securityworks with Mavericks (10.9) or higher.

Get started with CleanMyMac

CleanMyMac uses the super simple style of Mac app installation; you just drag the icon to Applications. I completed the process by running the program and activating it with my installation code. The program immediately began with a brief discussion of feature films with musical accompaniment.

CleanMyMac does not fall back on the typical off-white or dark gray background. Instead, the different pages use gradient backgrounds and lots of bold colors. The main page has a lavender background with a welcome message and a scan button.

(Credit: MacPaw)

At the bottom left you will find a list of all feature pages, organized by categories: Cleaning, Security, Speed, Programs and Files. Clicking the Scan button on this page will run a Smart Scan, which means it scans for junk files, quickly checks for malware, and looks for ways to speed up your Mac. That scan was completed in just over a minute. I followed the program's advice and ran a Deep Scan, but even that scan didn't take more than two minutes. CleanMyMac also advised me to clean unnecessary files to save space. The explanation page warns that this process is time consuming, but on my test system it took no more than another minute or two.

No lab results

For my Windows antivirus reviews, I closely follow the regular reports from four antivirus testing labs around the world: AV-Comparatives, AV-Test,MRG-Effitas, InSE-laboratory. Two of these (AV-Test and AV comparison) also tested macOS antivirus programs. When I first started reporting on macOS antivirus, I chose itwhenantivirus apps that showed up in at least one lab's results. Currently, two-thirds of the macOS antivirus programs I track don't show up in the test results from either lab. CleanMyMac is one of them.

At the other extreme, about a quarter of the apps appear in the results from both laboratories.Avast One for Mac, AVG, Bitdefender and Trend Micro both achieve perfect results. MacKeeper and Norton only participateAV-Test Institute, but that lab gives both a perfect score in its latest look at the app.

MacPaw's MoonLock antivirus engine isn't completely ignored by certification sites. Opswat has awarded it gold certification, which means it doescompatiblewith enterprise-level operating systems. But it doesn't reach the platinum level that wayAvira free antivirus program for Mac, Bitdefender, Trend Micro and a few others do that. At that level, Opswat guarantees both compatibility and efficiency.

OfMoonLock-websitereports that MoonLock achieves 93.3% protection in a private test by AV-Test. This is not directly comparable to other results as it was not tested at the same time and does not provide performance and usability results. But if an antivirus program had achieved that score in the last public test, it would have received 1.5 out of a possible 6 points for protection. That's not all bad, because this type of testing gives antivirus manufacturers detailed information on how to improve their products.

Limited field testing

It is common for Mac-targeted antivirus programs to also detect Windows malware. Malware designed for Windows obviously won't work on a Mac. This is a precaution to ensure that the Mac does not become a carrier. Total Defense, G Data, and Avast performed particularly well against Windows malware in my tests, eliminating 97%, 96%, and 95% of samples, respectively.

CleanMyMac doesn't promise to remove Windows malware, but I ran my usual test anyway. I copied my Windows malware collection, over 60 samples, to a drive and then connected that drive to the Mac. At the time of my last review, CleanMyMac did nothing, even when I copied the files to the desktop and ran an on-demand scan. This time, CleanMyMac asked for permission to scan the USB stick and got to work right away. No report was generated and no messages were displayed. But when I checked, almost three-quarters of the samples were gone. I repeated this test with the same result.

As I continued my research, I went tofunction control pagesoffered by AMTSO, the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization. Here I downloadedEICAR-testfil, a small, simple, harmless file that almost all antivirus companies have agreed to detect as malware for testing purposes. When I last tested CleanMyMac, the scan detected the EICAR file. This time the file disappeared without any notice. I asked my MacPaw contact if there was a log I could check, a quarantine list orsomeway to confirm that CleanMyMac actually did its job.

(Credit: MacPaw)

According to my contact, "Moonlock Engine completely removes the malware and it is no longer on the device. No footprints. Log files are not accessible to users." However, she showed me how to open a dashboard that shows malware elimination in real time. Running the test again gave me proof that CleanMyMac was doing its job and that the malware didn't just randomly evaporate.

A feature of many macOS antivirus programs is the ability to redirect the user's browser away from websites that host malware. Most of them achieve this using browser extensions, although a few do their work below the browser level. This feature almost always includes detection ofphishingwebsites, fraudulent websites that try to steal your passwords. I don't have the resources to find sites that specifically host macOS malware, but phishing is cross-platform, as is my phishing security test.

However, CleanMyMac does not offer this feature. The program's documentation mentions that modern browsers have built-in protection against malicious and fraudulent websites, which is true. ClamXAV, MacKeeper andMalwarebytes to Mac Premiumtake a similar position.

However, my real-world testing shows that the best Mac-focused antivirus apps outperform the built-in browsers, sometimes by quite a bit. In their respective final tests, Avast and Trend Micro achieved a perfect score of 100%, while Bitdefender and AVG came in at 99%. They outperformed all native browsers by amounts ranging from less than 10% to more than 50%.

CleanMyMac privacy protection

Under the Protection category in the menu on the left you will find malware removal and privacy protection. The latter does not refer to strong protection against attacks on your computerprivacyand personal information, however. It does not actively block ad trackers and other trackers, nor does it search for your personal information on the dark web, nor does it remove your personal information from data collection sites.

What does CleanMyMac do for your privacy? First, traces of your browsing history are erased from the popular browsers Chrome, Firefox and Safari. It certainly does a thorough job. In addition to the expected clearing of history and cookies, things like AutoFill data, saved passwords, and download history will also be cleared. It can also clear recently used file lists from the Finder and Wi-Fi networks that your Mac remembers. The Privacy Scan simply reports these results without flagging anyone for removal. It is up to you to choose which one you want to delete.

(Credit: MacPaw)

There's another category of privacy data that isn't quite like the rest. CleanMyMac scans for apps that have specific permissions, such as access to the camera, folder and microphone. Many apps, including CleanMyMac itself, legitimately need these permissions to work, so don't simply remove the permissions. On the other hand, if you revoke something that an app needs to function, the app will simply ask you to grant that permission again when necessary.

CleanMyMac's application features are not all directly related to security, but the update is certainly important. Malicious programmers scour popular applications, looking for security holes they can exploit. The makers of these applications are working hard to close these security holes and release updated software. But until you install these security updates, your Mac remains vulnerable. It's true that macOS is a fairly robust automated update system by default. This scan found no unpatched apps on my test system.

Uninstalling applications won't improve your security, but it's smart to clean up. CleanMyMac promises to perform a thorough removal of any apps you select for removal, without leaving any residue. Speaking of leftovers, it also finds bits and pieces left over from imperfect deletions. My test Mac had about a dozen, including files from Avast,McAfee Antivirus Plus for Macand Bitdefender. Brittle old antivirus files can interfere with the installation of a newer antivirus, so removing them is a big plus.

(Credit: MacPaw)

That leaves the Extension Scanner. When you use your Mac, you can install all kinds of widgets, plugins and other extensions. CleanMyMac scans and reports on Spotlight, Safari and Preferences extensions, as well as Internet plugins. My Mac is used purely for testing, but it still had an unknown Spotlight plug-in on it. Check out the list and feel free to delete anything you don't use.

CleanMyMac-assistent

This program has so many features that you might not even get around to using them all. This is where the assistant comes into the picture. Every time you complete a process, such as removing uninstall leftovers or scanning for malware, the assistant steps in and suggests other actions you can take, such as uninstalling unused apps, running an optimization scan, or running of maintenance tasks. It reminds me to some extent of the AutoPilot feature inBitdefender Antivirus for Mac. In either case, the app will prompt you to make full use of its features.

(Credit: MacPaw)

If you click to open the assistant completely, more suggestions are shown, as well as statistics at the bottom about the app's successes. You can invoke (or close) the assistant at any time by clicking a link in the top right.

Cleanup and speed functions

CleanMyMac is the name, and it actually does a lot more than cleaning up malware. A full suite of cleaning and acceleration features should increase your free disk space and keep your Mac running as efficiently as possible.

The Clean category cleans system junk and email attachments and empties the Recycle Bin. The System Junk scan is self-explanatory; it also works as part of the recommended Smart Scan. By default, it performs a "smart selection", choosing which elements can be removed without consequences. You can also dig into the results and mark multiple items for deletion, things like downloaded files (all or just some), unused disk image files, and file versions saved by data editors.

An unusual choice is the title Universal Binaries. The accompanying page explains that to support both Intel hardware and Apple's own processors, developers must package two different binaries in each program. CleanMyMac offers to clean the ones that don't match your hardware. I've never seen an antivirus offer. It shows that MacPaw developers have a deep understanding of macOS and Mac hardware.

(Credit: MacPaw)

Email Attachments scans for unnecessary local copies of messages and attachments associated with the Mail app. You can delete these local copies without any problems. Mail will simply download them again if necessary. Finally, CleanMyMac can empty the Trash, and not just the main Trash, but also the Trash bins associated with specific apps, like the Photo Library.

Some files are clearly unwanted, such as old cache files and temporary files. For other files, you should consider whether they are necessary or worth deleting. In the Files menu category, CleanMyMac offers three features: Space Lens, Large & Old Files, and Shredder. Space Lens maps file usage on your Mac and shows folders in circles with sizes corresponding to the amount of space used. You can use this feature to delete unwanted files if you wish. During the test, I found that almost every folder was protected from deletion due to the presence of essential system files.

(Credit: MacPaw)

You'll get the most benefit by deleting files that are both unnecessary and large. This is where scanning large and old files comes in. And unlike Space Lens, it doesn't report system files. Deleting one or two "whales" with this tool can save you a lot of disk space.

What should I do if the file you want to delete is super sensitive? Your code for a world-dominating AI perhaps, or the stolen specs for a methane microlaser? Simply deleting a file may leave data on your drive that can be recovered with forensic software. If you want to make sure the NSA can't find any trace of a deleted file, use Shredder.

During testing, I found that this section offered two choices: Instant Delete and Safe Delete. The choice is almost hidden next to the Shred button. A little research revealed that Remove Instantly, the default setting, regularly deletes files with the added option of removing files locked by the Finder or another program. If you want to hide all your tracks and overwrite data before deleting files and folders, select Safely Delete.

That leaves the speed category, populated by optimization and maintenance. The optimization tool aims to regain your Mac's computing power by terminating unnecessary processes. You can take control of programs that automatically start every time you log in, close programs that crash, and consider whether you need apps that are listed as heavy resource consumers.

The list of Launch Agents is not that easy to understand. CleanMyMac calls them "satellite applications" and notes that "in some cases you may want to consider uninstalling or disabling them." I was surprised to find several items related to tools no longer present with Vipre and NordLocker. I thought I had cleaned up these leftovers with the removal tool.

(Credit: MacPaw)

The Maintenance Tool simply provides nine scripts that perform maintenance tasks on your Mac: free up RAM; Free up cleanable space; Run maintenance scripts; Clear DNS cache; Speed ​​up the mail; Reindex Spotlight; Restore disk permissions; Time Machine Snapshot Dilution; Check and repair drives. When you select each script, you'll get a description and, in some cases, advice on when to use it. Several include warnings that the process will take a long time. Don't check them all off and hit Run unless you're willing to leave the Mac alone for a while.

One more thing (as Columbo would say). On several occasions I came across a link to try Gemini, an app designed to save space by eliminating duplicate files. The suggestion to try Gemini also appeared as the last piece of advice in the assistant. Gemini ($19.95 per year) appears to be a separate purchase from MacPaw, which seems strange. I haven't seen duplicate detection as a feature in many macOS security tools, but in several Windows-based programs likeAvira PrimeInTotalAV Antivirus Projust duplicate deletion along with other cleanup features.

(Credit: MacPaw / PCMag)

I loaded the free trial to see. It seems very thorough. Naturally, it asked for permission to view files in my Documents, Downloads, and other folders. But it also asked to connect to photos and music in the cloud. The detection includes both true duplicates and files that look exactly the same, just like the similar feature in Norton. For example, four completely different screenshots of the same program were found. The frame was the same for each, but the background and text were very different. I was impressed that Gemini recognized the connection. It's a smart tool, but has nothing to do with security.

With its colorful backgrounds and attractive pages, CleanMyMac looks much better than your average macOS antivirus. It also has a wide range of really useful features for tuning and cleaning your Mac. And unlike previous tests, I confirmed that it works as an antivirus. However, the labs don't test it and it doesn't protect against phishing, a security feature found in most competitors. Choose this one if you're more interested in fine-tuning your Mac, with malware protection as a bonus.

Our Editors' Choice pick for macOS antivirus comes with significant evidence of their capabilities.Bitdefender Antivirus for Macobtained perfect results from two laboratories andNorton 360 Deluxe for Macachieved a perfect score. They also achieved excellent results in our practical tests. Bitdefender costs about the same as CleanMyMac. Norton costs more, but gives you five security suite licenses, five VPN licenses, and 50 GB of online storage for your backups. Unless your focus is on system cleanup rather than security, one of these will be a better choice.