CleanMyMac Alternatives 2025: Free & Paid

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top alternatives to CleanMyMac, comparing their features, ease of use, pricing, and effectiveness to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re looking for a free or paid solution, we’ve got you covered.

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1. What Is CleanMyMac?

CleanMyMac, developed by MacPaw, is a software designed to help you clean up and optimize your Mac. Over time, your Mac can accumulate system junk, unwanted files, and unnecessary app leftovers that take up valuable space and affect performance. CleanMyMac aims to solve these issues by providing a simple, one-stop solution for removing clutter, improving system performance, and enhancing security.

CleanMyMac Pricing:

• Free Version: Limited to basic cleaning.
• Paid Plans: Starts at 39.95/year (1Mac) or $119.95 (1Mac) for a lifetime license.

Plan	1 Mac	2 Macs	5 Macs
1-year Subscription	$39.95	$63.95	$127.95
One-time Purchase	$119.95	$191.95	$383.95

CleanMyMac Free vs. Paid

Feature	Free Version	Paid Version
System Junk Cleanup	✅ Limited (partial cleanup)	✅ Full system + app-specific
Malware Removal	❌	✅
Performance Optimization	❌	✅
Privacy Protection	❌	✅
App Uninstaller	❌	✅
Real-Time Monitoring	❌	✅ (CPU, RAM, network speed)
Multiple Mac Support	❌	✅
Automated Maintenance	❌	✅ (scheduled scans)
Priority Support	❌	✅

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Why Look for CleanMyMac Alternatives?

1. Pricing: CleanMyMac uses a subscription model, which may not be ideal for you if you prefer a one-time payment.
2. Feature Needs: While CleanMyMac is packed with features, you might prefer a simpler tool that focuses on fewer tasks or offers more advanced customization options.
3. Free Options: There are many free Mac cleaning tools available that can get the job done without needing a paid subscription.
4. Performance: Some users report that CleanMyMac can be resource-heavy. If you’re looking for a lighter option, other alternatives might be more suitable for you.

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CleanMyMac Free Alternatives

If you’re on a budget, these free tools offer partial CleanMyMac functionality:

OnyX – The Free Mac Cleaner for Power Users

Price: Free
Rating: 4.6/5
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐ Moderate (advanced)
Platform: macOS

OnyX is a powerful system maintenance tool that gives you comprehensive features if you’re an advanced user. Unlike CleanMyMac, which is designed for simplicity, OnyX is built for those who want more control over their system. It allows you to clear caches, rebuild databases, configure hidden settings, and perform detailed system maintenance.

• Pros:
  Free with no subscription fees.
• Extensive customization options for advanced users.
• Supports a wide range of macOS versions.

Cons:

• It is not ideal for beginners due to its complex interface.
• Lacks real-time monitoring features compared to CleanMyMac.

If you’re comfortable with a more hands-on approach, OnyX is a fantastic option. It gives you granular control over the maintenance of your Mac without needing to pay for a subscription.

Best For: Tech-savvy users needing advanced tweaks.

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CCleaner for Mac (Freemium) – A Lightweight, Easy-to-Use Tool

Price: Free, $39.95/year (Pro)
Rating: 4.3/5
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Easy
Platform: macOS, Windows

CCleaner is one of the most well-known cleaning tools for both Mac and Windows users. The free version offers basic cleanup functions, such as junk file removal and cache cleaning, while the Pro version adds extra features like real-time monitoring and automatic updates. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and is often considered one of the best free alternatives to CleanMyMac.

Pros:

• Simple, user-friendly interface.
• Free version available with essential features.
• Effective at removing unwanted files and optimizing performance.

Cons:

• Limited features in the free version.
• The pro version requires a yearly subscription.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use tool that’s free and efficient, CCleaner is a great option. Its Pro version is also a more affordable alternative to CleanMyMac.

Best For: Quick, occasional cleanups.

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Disk Inventory X: A Free and Visual Disk Cleaner

Price: Free
Rating: 4.5/5
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐ Easy
Platform: macOS

Disk Inventory X is a free tool that gives you a visual overview of your Mac’s disk space. Using a graphical display (similar to DaisyDisk), helps you quickly identify large files and folders. While it doesn’t offer the system optimization tools found in CleanMyMac, it’s a great option if you’re looking to free up space without paying for a subscription.

Pros:

• Completely free.
• Visual interface for managing disk space.
• Lightweight and easy to use.

Cons:

• Limited features (doesn’t offer app management or malware protection).
• Not ideal for users who need comprehensive system maintenance.

Disk Inventory X is an excellent alternative if your primary concern is disk space management, and you want a free tool to help identify and remove large files.

Best For: Diagnosing storage hogs.

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CleanMyMac Paid Alternatives

If you’re willing to invest, these premium tools directly compete with CleanMyMac:

MacKeeper: A Controversial All-in-One Cleaner

Price: $10.95/month, $62.01/year
Rating: 3.9/5
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐ Easy
Platform: macOS

MacKeeper offers a suite of tools, including disk cleanup, malware protection, performance optimization, and privacy management. It’s an all-in-one tool designed to keep your Mac running smoothly. However, MacKeeper has had a controversial reputation in the past, with some users criticizing its aggressive marketing and the effectiveness of its cleaning features.

Pros:

• A comprehensive set of tools for cleaning, security, and performance.
• Offers a 7-day free trial.

Cons:

• Higher subscription cost compared to other options.
• Mixed user reviews due to past controversies.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, MacKeeper offers similar features to CleanMyMac, but it may not have the same level of trust and reputation. Still, it’s worth considering if you need a more complete suite of tools.

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DaisyDisk ($9.99 Lifetime License)

Price: $9.99 (Lifetime License)
Rating: 4.8/5
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Easy
Platform: macOS

If disk space management is your primary concern, DaisyDisk is an excellent alternative to CleanMyMac. It’s especially useful for you if you need a straightforward, visual way to free up space.

Pros:

• One-time purchase—no subscription fees.
• Intuitive and visually appealing interface.
• Great for finding and deleting large files quickly.

Cons:

• Lacks comprehensive cleaning tools (e.g., app management or malware protection).
• Doesn’t handle system-level maintenance tasks like cache clearing.

If disk space management is your primary concern, DaisyDisk is an excellent alternative to CleanMyMac. It’s especially useful for users who need a straightforward, visual way to free up space.

Best For: Users focused solely on storage management.

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Washing Machine Secure X9: Focused on System Cleanup

Price: $55.99/year
Rating: 4.4/5
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐ Easy
Platform: macOS

Intego Washing Machine Secure X9 is another solid alternative to CleanMyMac, focusing primarily on system cleanup and optimization. It offers features like junk file removal, app management, and malware protection, making it a great choice if you want to keep your Mac clean and running smoothly.

Pros:

• Effective junk file removal and app management.
• Malware protection and optimization tools.
• Affordable pricing.

Cons:

• Not as feature-rich as CleanMyMac in terms of real-time monitoring and extra tools.
• Subscription-based, though reasonably priced.

Intego Washing Machine provides a straightforward, affordable alternative to CleanMyMac, with a strong emphasis on cleaning and optimization. It’s a good choice if you want to keep your Mac in top shape without breaking the bank.

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CleanMyMac Alternatives Comparison Table

Is CleanMyMac Better Than Other Mac Cleaners? To determine if CleanMyMac stands out, let’s compare it across key categories:

Best for General Use: CleanMyMac offers a comprehensive set of tools and an intuitive interface, making it your go-to solution for maintaining your Mac’s performance.

Best for Disk Space Management: DaisyDisk excels with its visual disk space analysis, making it easy to see what files are consuming space.

Best Free Option: OnyX and Disk Inventory X are both free and provide robust features, though they may require more technical know-how.

Best for Privacy and Security: MacKeeper and Intego Washing Machine stand out with their focus on privacy tools and malware protection, although MacKeeper has received mixed reviews.

Best for Basic Cleanup: CCleaner is ideal for you if you want simple, no-frills cleanup without the complexity of other tools.

This comparison will help you choose the right Mac cleaning solution depending on your needs and preferences, whether you’re looking for a simple cleanup tool, a more advanced solution, or a one-time purchase.

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FAQs About CleanMyMac

1. Is CleanMyMac better than CCleaner?

Yes, for comprehensive optimization. CleanMyMac offers malware removal, real-time monitoring, and storage visualization, while CCleaner focuses on basic cache cleanup. However, CCleaner’s free tier is lighter and faster for quick tasks.

2. What’s the best free alternative to CleanMyMac?

OnyX (free) is perfect for you if you’re an advanced user needing deep system repairs (like disk permissions or Spotlight reindexing), but keep in mind it lacks malware scanning and comes with a steep learning curve.

3. Is DaisyDisk a good CleanMyMac alternative?

Yes, for storage visualization. DaisyDisk ($9.99) provides superior file hierarchy maps (sunburst charts) but lacks CleanMyMac’s malware tools or automation features.

4. Is MacKeeper safer than CleanMyMac?

No. CleanMyMac is Apple-notarized, while MacKeeper has a history of aggressive ads and privacy concerns. CleanMyMac’s Moonlock Engine also detects more malware types.

5. Are free CleanMyMac alternatives safe?

Most are safe if downloaded from official sources. However, free tools like CCleaner often lack malware protection—always verifying developer credibility.