Best Uninstaller for Mac

Uninstalling an app from your Mac traditionally involves dragging the icon to the trash. However, this method isn’t always very effective as it often leaves behind unnecessary files. To make sure you completely remove your unwanted apps, you'll need to delete all the leftover files manually—if you can find them, of course.

That’s where a dedicated app uninstaller for Mac can be invaluable. These programs go beyond just removing the visible parts of an app; they also find and delete any hidden junk that the app has stored deep in your Mac library. With the help of an automatic uninstaller, you no longer have to let digital clutter mount up on your Macintosh device. The question now is which is the best uninstaller app for Mac. That’s what we’ll be exploring in this article.

Here’s our criteria to help you choose a good uninstaller for Mac:

• Comprehensive cleaning: The solution effectively removes all files, not just the app’s nucleus file.
• Ease of use: It has a simple and intuitive interface for easy navigation.
• Speed: The solution quickly scans and uninstalls applications.
• Customer support: It provides reliable and accessible customer service.
• Additional features: It includes tools for system cleanup, privacy protection, and performance optimization.

Here are the three best uninstaller apps for Mac based on the criteria above:

Before we start:

 

If you’re ready to bid farewell to all the unnecessary apps stored on your Mac, our sincere recommendation is to download a Mac cleanup tool that can automatically declutter your device for you to help reclaim more disk space. MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller allows you to delete everything from unwanted apps to pesky widgets in just a few clicks.

 

Here’s how you can start using MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstallers to free up your Mac:

1. Download MacKeeper.
2. Open the app and use the left-hand menu to find and click on Smart Uninstaller.
3. Press the Start Scan button.
4. When the scan is complete, tick the apps, widgets, and plugins you want to remove.
5. Click Remove Selected and finally Remove to confirm your actions.

Best app uninstallers for Mac

Now that we’ve explored the criteria that make an uninstaller reliable, let’s look at our picks to find out which is the best app to uninstall apps on Mac from the selection of uninstallers below:

1. MacKeeper
2. App Cleaner & Uninstaller
3. CleanMyMac X
4. Trashme
5. Osx Uninstaller
6. AppZapper
7. BuhoCleaner

1. MacKeeper

MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller is an automatic cleaning tool that boasts everything you need to keep your device optimized. Regarded as one of the best apps to uninstall apps on Mac, its Smart Uninstaller tool can efficiently remove apps and all their leftover files including, browser extensions, unwanted widgets, preferences and even unwanted plugins.

Removing apps with MacKeepers Uninstaller is straightforward: after downloading the app and running your initial scan, you just need to tick want to remove and click the Remove Selected button. MacKeeper will ensure all your unwanted apps are automatically deleted, leaving no digital debris behind.

Main features:

• Smart Uninstaller: Efficiently removes apps and all associated files.
• Extra tools: Includes system cleanup, privacy protection, and optimization features.
• User interface: Intuitive and easy to use, with several sorting options for scan results.

• MacKeeper Official Website
• Price: MacKeeper does require a subscription. $89.40 (billed annually)
• Free trial: A free trial version is available.
• Compatibility: MacKeeper is compatible with macOS 10.11 and later versions.

Pros:

• Automatically uninstalls apps and removes all leftover files, freeing up disk space.
• Can remove unwanted apps, files, plugins, as well as browse extensions and preferences.
• Is packed with additional tools for security, optimization, and more.
• Can scan your Macintosh in seconds, uncovering clutter hidden deep within your device.

Cons:

• Requires a subscription.
• Anything you’ve accidentally deleted cannot always be recovered.

Note from our team:  

 

If you’re looking to learn how to make Mac run faster, rely on the MacKeeper app to come to your aid. In addition to the Smart Uninstaller feature is the Safe Cleanup tool. This additional feature can clean up old logs, cache and more from your Macintosh device, optimizing its overall performance speed.

2. App Cleaner & Installer

Nektony’s App Cleaner & Uninstaller is a standalone app or a part of the company’s MacCleaner Pro bundle. The standalone app, which is believed to be one of the best Mac app deleters, lets you get rid of unwanted applications, unused startup programs and extensions, as well as all the leftover files.

The App Cleaner & Uninstaller also allows you to change or remove file associations, giving you the option to choose which application opens a particular type of file. Removing applications with the uninstaller is easy: select what you want to delete and click Remove. When you enable Expert Mode, you’ll see exactly what’s stored on your Macintosh and a full-file path, making it easy to find and manage files.

Main features:

• Application Removal: Efficiently removes apps and associated files.
• File Association Manager: Allows changing or removing file associations.
• Expert Mode: Provides detailed information about stored files and their locations.

• App Cleaner & Uninstaller Official Website
• Price: $14.95 (Billed annually—subscription)
• Free trial: A free trial version is available, allowing users to test its features.
• Compatibility: App Cleaner & Uninstaller is compatible with macOS 10.10 and later versions.

Pros:

• Expert Mode offers detailed information.
• Easy to use with an attractive user interface.
• Available as a standalone tool or part of a bundle.

Cons:

• A subscription-based uninstaller.
• No security or optimization tools are integrated.

3. CleanMyMac X

CleanMyMac X is another app claimed to be a strong contender for the best app to uninstall apps on Mac due to its suite of cleanup and optimization tools. Amongst those, the stand-out feature is the Uninstaller tool which is designed to efficiently remove apps, plugins, browser extensions, and general junk. With a quick device scan, the CleanMyMac X Uninstaller can automatically sort all your digital junk to help free up more RAM space.

CleanMyMac X works similarly to other app removers, allowing you to explore scan results and view associated files and folders. You can right-click to reveal files in Finder or open them in macOS Quick Look mode, making the tick-and-remove process straightforward.

Main features:

• Uninstaller: Efficiently removes apps and associated files.
• Filter Options: Apps are grouped by various criteria such as App Store origin and usage.

• CleanMyMac X Official Website
• Price: $39.95 (Billed annually)
• Free trial: A free trial version is available.
• Compatibility: App Cleaner & Uninstaller is compatible with macOS 10.10 and later versions.

Pros:

• Allows you to filter apps using a variety of criteria.
• Streamlines app removal process with few clicks.
• Includes a wide range of additional optimization features.

Cons:

• Requires an ongoing subscription for full functionality.
• May overwhelm users seeking a simpler uninstaller tool.
• No function for scheduling automatic scans.
• A pricy subscription.

Important: 

 

If you’d like to see our in-depth CleanMyMac X review, be sure to click the link to take you to our blog, where we explored, in detail, all the app's features and whether it’s worth installing onto your Mac.

4. TrashMe

The TrashMe Uninstaller is a robust tool designed to help you keep your Macintosh free of clutter. The uninstaller focuses on efficiently removing applications and all of their associated files, ensuring no unnecessary data is left behind taking up important space on your disk. Even though TrashMe is one of the lesser-known uninstallers, its popularity is growing based on its user-friendly interface and comprehensive set of features.

Main features:

• App Removal: TrashMe automatically detects and deletes apps and files.
• Smart Detection: Identifies and removes leftover files from previously deleted apps.
• Additional Tools: Includes features to manage login items, widgets, and plugins, helping you optimize your Macintosh for better performance.
• Drag and Drop: Simplifies the uninstallation process with a drag-and-drop interface.

• TrashMe Official Site
• Price: TrashMe 2 is $8.85 or the latest TrashMe 3 is $18.97 (one-time purchase—no subscription)
• Free trial: A free trial version is available.
• Compatibility: TrashMe Uninstaller is compatible with macOS 10.07 and later versions.

Pros:

• Has a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
• Includes additional tools for managing login items and plugins.
• Is a one-time purchase with no subscription required.

Cons:

• Limited functionality beyond app removal.
• The simple interface may lack advanced customization options.

5. Osx Uninstaller

Osx Uninstaller is another great option for Mac users looking for a straightforward, no-fuss solution to removing unwanted apps from their computer. As a strong contender for one of the best Mac app removers, it focuses entirely on removing apps and their data without any extra functions. This simplicity is what makes it so popular amongst Mac users who are looking to declutter their devices regularly.

Unlike other app removers, Osx Uninstaller operates when you select an app from the list and then click Run Analysis. The software will then scan your Mac, locating any files or folders associated with that app, and providing full file path information. This method ensures a thorough cleanup, freeing up space and eliminating accumulated data.

Main features:

• App Removal: Efficiently deletes apps and all associated files.
• Run Analysis: Scans for related files and folders with detailed file paths.
• Uninstall Difficulty Rating: Indicates the complexity of manually removing the app.

• Osx Uninstaller Official Website
• Price: $29.99 (one-off purchase—no subscription necessary)
• Free trial: No free trial version is available.
• Compatibility: Osx Uninstaller is compatible with macOS 10.13 and later versions.

Pros:

• Purchasing the uninstaller is just a single, one-off purchase.
• Offers Uninstall Difficulty information.
• Straightforward and easy to use.

Cons:

• The user interface could be improved.
• Doesn’t offer any additional features beyond simple app removal.

6. App Zapper

Before we get to our final Mac Uninstaller, we can’t forget to include AppZapper on our list of budding removal apps. AppZapper is an efficient tool to remove applications and all their associated files.

In the top-right corner of AppZapper, a toggle button lets you switch between two modes of removing apps. One mode allows drag-and-drop app removal, displaying all related items for selection and deletion with a click of Zap. The other mode lets you choose apps, widgets, preference panes, and plugins, with filters for file size and usage frequency. The various sorting options make the app deletion process more diverse.

Main features:

• Drag and Drop Interface: Easily remove apps by dragging them into AppZapper.
• Multiple Removal Modes: Offers two modes of removal.
• Minimal System Impact: Is designed not to be too demanding of your Macintosh system.

• AppZapper Official Website
• Price: AppZapper is available from $19.95 (one-time purchase with life-long access),
• Free trial: A trial version is available.
• Compatibility: AppZapper is compatible with macOS 10.6 and later versions.

Pros:

• Two modes of operation for flexible app removal.
• Minimal impact on system performance.
• One-off lifetime license with no recurring costs.

Cons:

• Doesn’t offer additional functions beyond app removal.
• The interface could benefit from an update.

7. Buho Cleanser

For our final uninstaller, we have a lesser-known option called BuhoCleanser. This Mac-supported uninstaller is an efficient and user-friendly tool designed to optimize your Macintosh. The cleaner works hard to remove unwanted applications and files that are cluttering up your device.

It may be considered the best Mac app remover by users who are looking for an affordable solution to keep on top of digitally decluttering their Mac and Apple devices.

Main features:

• App Removal: BuhoCleaner automatically detects and deletes apps, along with all associated files, ensuring no unnecessary data is left behind.
• System Optimization: It also offers tools to optimize your Mac by clearing the cache and managing startup items to free up space.
• Intuitive Interface: The user-friendly interface makes it easy to use the app.

• BuhoCleaner Official Website
• Price: From £18.49 (one-time purchase for lifetime access)
• Free trial: A free trial is available.
• Compatibility: The BuhoCleaner app supports Apple M1-M3 devices.

Pros:

• Has a user-friendly and intuitive interface.
• Comprehensive system optimization tools are included.
• One-time purchase with no recurring costs.

Cons:

• Limited to app removal and system optimization only.
• The uninstaller app lacks advanced features found in some competitors.
• Availability may be restricted in certain regions.

Note from our team: 

 

Are you interested in finding out more about the BohoCleaner? Then why not check out our BuhoCleaner review? We’ve explored all the app’s features to help you determine if it’s worth downloading onto your Mac.

What is the best app uninstaller for Mac?

All the uninstaller apps we've discussed can automatically and safely delete any unnecessary apps, as well as remove leftover files from your Mac. Whether you're using an iMac, Mac Mini, or MacBook Pro, these tools can help you keep your system free from an accumulation of clutter. For those who are looking for a straightforward uninstaller, Osx Uninstaller and AppZapper are great options due to their simplicity and affordability. However, if you're looking for a more well-rounded solution, MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller stands out as the very best app to uninstall apps on Mac from this list.

Our tool offers Mac users a powerful combination of automatic cleanup and optimization features. It efficiently removes apps and even scourers your Mac for leftover files, widgets, and other junk to free up valuable space. With additional tools for system cleanup and privacy protection, it’s the top choice for keeping your Mac in peak condition. Try the free trial to experience its full capabilities before committing.