9 Best Mac Cleaner Software

If you've transitioned from PC to Mac or you've seen ads online about Mac cleaning apps, you might be wondering if such apps are available and if they are worth the money.

I've been a computer technician for over a decade, and have seen it all when it comes to different programs and utilities that claim to speed up or declutter your Mac. Some of them are great, but many of them should be avoided.

So, how do you tell one from the other?

Today's guide will shed light on the best Mac cleaner software, with the pros and cons of each one, and some of my personal favorites.

Let's get into it.

Misconceptions about Mac Cleaning Apps

First, let's dispel some common myths.

Many people believe that Macs don't need cleaning software. And while it is true that macOS is quite efficient at managing resources, over time, systems can still accumulate unnecessary files.

Another source of the bad press for Mac cleaning apps came from the stories surrounding one in particular: Mackeeper. This app often made its way onto people's computers through malicious means, such as popup ads or fake virus warnings. Many review outlets started classifying Mackeeper as a PUP - potentially unwanted software.

Not all cleaning apps are harmful or useless though — some genuinely contribute to maintaining your Mac's good health and speed by managing storage, removing redundant files, and optimizing processes.

Top Mac Cleaner Apps That You Can Trust

There are so many free and paid Mac cleaning apps on the market, that picking through the good and the bad can be tricky. I've combed through dozens of different programs to sort out the most deserving ones.

1. CleanMyMac 5

• Free trial: yes (free for 7 days)
• Pricing: starting at $39.99 per year (subscription) or $119.95 (one-time), for 1 Mac.
• Compatibility: macOS Big Sur or later (including the latest Sequoia)

Pros	Cons
Comes with loads of optimization tools	Premium price tag
Very light on system resources	Overzealous notifications
Offers virus and malware removal built-in	Limited customization

CleanMyMac takes the cake as the winner for the best Mac cleaner software. Once you consider that it is even more powerful with the latest update, this option is a no-brainer.

I've been using it on my Mac for years. And as someone who likes to keep my Mac clean—even without using optimization software—I still find use for it. Plus, it doesn't get in the way or slow down your Mac, since it is very easy on system resources.

CleanMyMac comes with everything you need for an all-in-one cleaning app. You get a quick "smart scan" feature, junk file cleanup, virus protection, performance optimization, unnecessary app removal tools, and even a tray application to show your system vitals at all times.

2. MacCleaner Pro

• Free trial: yes (free for 7 days)
• Pricing: For one Mac, you can pick up a monthly plan for $14.95, an annual plan for $29.95, or you can make a one-time purchase of $74.95.
• Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or later (including the latest Sequoia)

Pros	Cons
Comprehensive cleaning and optimization tools	No data recovery tools
User-friendly interface	Higher price tag
Free trial to test out the features

MacCleaner Pro comes in at a close second, and for good reason. It includes tools for removing junk files, optimizing RAM, managing extensions, and analyzing disk space to improve the overall speed and responsiveness of your Mac.

Much like CleanMyMac, MacCleaner Pro also offers a handy tray application to keep an eye on your system's vitals. You can see details like storage space, apps in use, and which processes are hogging your system resources.

3. Gemini 2

• Free trial: yes (free for 7 days)
• Pricing: You can get a one-year subscription for $19.95, or a one-time purchase for $44.95.
• Compatibility: macOS 10.10 or later (including the latest Sequoia)

Pros	Cons
Perfect for efficiently finding and removing duplicate files.	Limited to duplicate finding, with no system optimization tools.
Has a user-friendly interface with preview options.
Comes with real-time duplicate monitoring

Gemini is a bit different from the other picks on this list, as its focus is much narrower: finding duplicate files. If you've ever browsed your photo or downloads folders, you've probably noticed that many files (or strikingly similar files) are present more than once. But just think of all the files you don't see. These duplicate files can take up a staggering amount of storage space.

Finding and removing duplicate files is one of the most efficient ways to free up space on your Mac. So, it makes sense to have a program devoted specifically to it. Gemini 2 excels at removing duplicates and is a great addition to your Mac cleaning toolbox.

4. Daisy Disk

• Free trial: yes (free for 7 days)
• Pricing: one-time purchase price of just $10.
• Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or later (with legacy versions available as far back as version 10.5)

Pros	Cons
Intuitive visual interface for locating files.	Limited functionality compared to other apps.
Allows scanning of multiple disks.	The manual deletion process could be risky for non-technical users
Includes fast scanning capabilities.

Daisy Disk is suited for Mac users who prefer a more visual tool to help manage and recover disk space by identifying and deleting unwanted files.

Simply run, select the drive you would like to optimize, and hit scan. Daisy Disk will scan the entire drive in a few minutes and show you a helpful circular chart with a detailed explanation of what is consuming disk space. You can hover over specific items to learn more about them.

5. OnyX

• Pricing: Completely free!
• Compatibility: Works with all operating systems from 10.2 to Sequoia 15

Pros	Cons
Extensive customization options.	Not user-friendly for beginners.
Supports older versions of macOS.	Requires careful use to avoid system misconfigurations.
Completely free to use.

Onyx is one of the most powerful utility programs you can get. The only thing keeping me from putting it at the top of my list is that it is significantly more technical than any of the other recommendations. Not much is done for you with this tool, and you'll have to know what you're doing to get the most out of it. It is more of a system admin's friend, than an all-in-one app for the average user.

That said, it is an excellent tool to have in your arsenal if you enjoy finding as many ways as possible to optimize your Mac. You can leverage tools like filesystem verification, wireless diagnostics, display calibration, and complex parameter modification. Onyx doesn't add these utilities to your system—they are already there. What Onyx does is gather everything you need and put it under one user interface, so you can access each function quickly.

6. CCleaner

• Free trial: yes (free for 7 days)
• Pricing: Pro version for $40.
• Compatibility: macOS Big Sur or later (including the latest Sequoia)

Pros	Cons
Sports a simple and intuitive interface.	Worries due to past security issues.
Regular updates and strong community support.
Available for both Mac and Windows.

CCleaner is a good all-around cleaner for basic Mac optimization. It cleans up unwanted files, manages apps, and monitors your system's health to enhance performance.

You get plenty of helpful utilities with this app: declutterer, browser cleaner, duplicate finder, photo finder, and app uninstaller. Plus, you get useful system monitoring features, statistics, and a tray application.

One stain on their reputation is the security incident they had in 2017, where their software was hacked, leading to many users downloading a malicious version of the app.

However, this has since been resolved, and the app is actively working to improve the trust in its product. As a result, Ccleaner has ensured that downloads from their official website are verified and secure. All you need to do is make sure that you don't download the app from an untrusted third party.

7. Parallels Toolbox

• Free trial: yes (free for 7 days)
• Pricing: Subscription for $24.99 per year. No one-time purchase option.
• Compatibility: macOS 10.14 or later (including the latest Sequoia)

Pros	Cons
You get a wide variety of tools in one package.	Annual subscription model with no option for a monthly plan.
Attractive pricing options.	The array of tools might be excessive if you only need specific functionalities.

Parallels Toolbox offers a variety of tools, not only to clean up your Mac but to take care of other tasks too. The first thing you'll notice is the interface is a bit different: it operates as a tray application. This can be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. Either way, you'll need to click the tray icon in the menu bar to bring it up.

In my opinion, this is a strong positive, since you don't need to close whatever app you're working in if you wish to quickly check Parallels. Clicking on the tray icon will reveal dozens of apps. There are so many features, that this may be the last utility you'll ever need.

Besides the usual cleaning and optimization utilities such as a junk cleaner, duplicate finder, and various types of storage-saving tools, you also get a wealth of other features to perform all manner of tasks on your Mac.

8. Sensei

• Free trial: yes (free for 14 days)
• Pricing: An annual subscription comes in at $29 — covers usage on up to 3 Macs, so you don't need to spend more to cover your whole household. You can also opt for the $59 one-time purchase if you don't want the hassle of a subscription.
• Compatibility: macOS 11.0 or later (including the latest Sequoia)

Pros	Cons
Modern, intuitive interface.	The array of features and detailed monitoring could be complex for beginners.
A great price for what you get.
Includes malware removal built-in.

Sensei offers, in my humble opinion, one of the cleanest and most modern user interfaces you could ask for. Not only do you get a ton of helpful utilities in one place, but it is also highly customizable.

Included among the tools that you get with Sensei are a quick optimizer, app uninstaller, junk cleaner, SSD trim feature, and advanced monitoring for your storage, RAM, and processor. You can view your battery levels in real time, to monitor your battery health.

Plus you can see a detailed report on your current RAM and storage usage to know which of your apps and files are taking up valuable system resources.

9. Avast Cleanup Premium

• Free trial: yes (free for 30 days)
• Pricing: You can get an annual subscription for $29, for one Mac. Or, you can grab the multi-device plan, covering up to 10 devices, for $34.99. This is a steal if you want to cover your whole household.
• Compatibility: macOS 10.12 or later (including the latest Sequoia)

Pros	Cons
Modern, intuitive interface.	No one-time purchase is available.
Comes with many cleaning options and utilities.
Attractive pricing for multiple devices.

Avast Cleanup Premium is another solid choice for cleaning up unnecessary data, optimizing disk space, and maintaining the health of your Mac. The user interface is extremely similar to Ccleaner, and they do provide nearly identical functions.

You'll find a declutterer, browser cleaner, duplicate finder, and more. You also get a handy tray icon to view all of your system's vitals and perform cleaning tasks quickly.

FAQs

Below are a few other questions about Mac cleaner apps, along with my brief answers.

Does Mac have a cleanup tool?

Mac does have something like it: Storage Management. This is just for optimizing your storage and clearing out old apps, but it is good enough to get the job done for many.

What does Apple recommend for cleaning a Mac?

Apple typically suggests sticking with the built-in tools and being cautious about third-party apps, advising to only download from trusted sources.

Is it safe to use third-party Mac cleaning software?

While there are risks with any third-party software, sticking to reputable developers and avoiding apps from unknown sources can keep your Mac safe.

Will Mac cleaner software slow down my Mac?

Quality Mac cleaners should not slow down your system. Instead, they should help it run more efficiently by removing unnecessary files.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right Mac cleaner software will depend on your specific needs. You might be fine with using the built-in Storage Management utility if you just want to free up some space without downloading any more apps. Or, you might find the VPN and built-in Malware Removal, such as in CleanMyMac, to be valuable resources.

Either way, make sure you only ever download apps from trusted sites and reputable developers. You don't want your Mac to end up worse off than when you started. Try out a few apps and stick to the one that matches your needs and keeps your Mac running efficiently and securely.