Cleaning apps promise space and speed. Some deliver a friendlier way to do what you could do by hand, and some mostly deliver alarming scan results. This guide sorts them by the job they do so you can pick one, or skip them.
Three jobs, three kinds of tool#
Pick the job first
- Low risk
See what is big
A disk analyser maps your folders by size so you decide what goes. DaisyDisk is the example here.
- Low risk
Remove apps completely
An uninstaller finds an app's leftover files. AppCleaner is a free example.
- Needs review
Clean and maintain automatically
Suites such as CleanMyMac bundle cleanup, uninstalling and maintenance. OnyX offers technical maintenance for advanced users.
Which one fits you?#
Find the right kind of cleaner
1/3
What do you want to do?
Quick recommendations#
Provisional until testing is complete.
| If you want… | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| To see what fills the disk | DaisyDisk | A visual map and review before deleting |
| A free uninstaller | AppCleaner | Finds leftovers for one app at a time |
| A guided suite | CleanMyMac | Bundles several chores in one interface |
| Technical maintenance | OnyX | Free, aimed at advanced users |
| A $0 option | Your own Mac | Storage settings plus our safe clean-up guide |
Comparison table#
| Software | Best for | Price | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CleanMyMacMacPaw | Mac cleanup and maintenance in one app | Price not yet verifiedCheck the vendor for current pricing | Not yet rated | Visit |
| DaisyDisk | Visualising what is using your disk space | Price not yet verifiedCheck the vendor for current pricing | Not yet rated | Visit |
| AppCleanerFreeMacSoft | Fully removing apps and their leftover files | Free | Not yet rated | Visit |
| OnyXTitanium Software | Maintenance tasks and hidden macOS settings | Free | Not yet rated | Visit |
These links go to the official sites; none are affiliate links yet. Ratings appear only after we have tested a product. See how we test.
What a cleaner can and cannot do#
| By hand | Cleaner app | |
|---|---|---|
| Find the largest folders | Yes | Yes |
| Remove an app and its leftovers | Yes | Yes |
| Clear one app's cache | Yes | Yes |
| Reclaim purgeable space faster than macOS | No | No |
| Make a healthy Mac noticeably faster | No | Partly |
MacPaw, the maker of CleanMyMac, also runs the Setapp app subscription, which can bundle cleaners with other tools.
Start with our guides to System Data and to clearing caches safely. If the cleaner promises speed, read Best Mac Optimization Software too.
The apps#
CleanMyMac#
- Best for
- Mac cleanup and maintenance in one app
- Developer
- MacPaw
- Price
- Price not yet verified · check the vendor for current pricing
- Our testing
- Not yet hands-on tested
Links to the official site. We earn nothing from this link.
Pros
- Polished and approachable
- Covers several chores in one place
- Good for people who rarely clean up by hand
Cons
- Subscription cost adds up
- Easy to overstate how much cleaning a Mac needs
- Overlaps with built-in macOS tools
See our CleanMyMac review, the CleanMyMac alternatives and the CleanMyMac vs DaisyDisk comparison.
DaisyDisk#
- Best for
- Visualising what is using your disk space
- Price
- Price not yet verified · check the vendor for current pricing
- Our testing
- Not yet hands-on tested
Links to the official site. We earn nothing from this link.
Pros
- Finds space hogs quickly
- You review before deleting
- Does one job well
Cons
- Does not clean caches automatically
- Takes a minute to learn to read
- No built-in uninstaller
AppCleaner#
- Best for
- Fully removing apps and their leftover files
- Developer
- FreeMacSoft
- Price
- Free
- Our testing
- Not yet hands-on tested
Links to the official site. We earn nothing from this link.
Pros
- Free
- Simple and small
- Finds an app's related files
Cons
- Dated interface
- May miss some leftovers
- Not updated often
OnyX#
- Best for
- Maintenance tasks and hidden macOS settings
- Developer
- Titanium Software
- Price
- Free
- Our testing
- Not yet hands-on tested
Links to the official site. We earn nothing from this link.
Pros
- Free
- Trusted by long-time Mac users
- Reaches hidden settings
Cons
- Technical interface
- Can change system settings if misused
- Needs the version that matches your macOS
Safety rules for any cleaner#
- Have a backup first. See our backup software guide.
- Read what it will delete before you confirm.
- Be wary of scare numbers and urgent warnings.
- Check the app is trustworthy. Our guide to vetting a Mac app shows how.
Pricing and compatibility#
Prices are in the comparison table, marked unverified until checked and dated. Compatibility notes follow once we confirm system requirements.
How we test#
See our review methodology. For cleaners, we plan to measure space recovered on the same test Mac, check what each app deletes and whether it is reversible, and record permissions requested.
Frequently asked questions#
Do I need a Mac cleaner?#
Most people do not. The built-in Storage settings and a few careful steps cover it. A cleaner helps if you want guidance.
Is CleanMyMac or DaisyDisk better?#
They do different jobs. See CleanMyMac vs DaisyDisk.
Can a cleaner speed up my Mac?#
Only if the slowdown comes from a full disk or a heavy login item. See why a MacBook runs slowly.
Are free cleaners safe?#
Free tools from known developers are fine. Check their source and what they delete.
Written by
Guides are researched, written, and maintained by the Atypical Mac User editorial team. Every procedure is checked against the current version of macOS before it is marked as published.
Last updated . First published .
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