In this article you will find the following:
For a long time, CCleaner was a favorite among Windows PC users, giving them an easy way to clean up registry files, caches, and more. The Mac version came along later, but it does a similar job—cleaning out junk files and other redundant data, giving back disk space, and potentially speeding up your computer too. Check out our detailed CCleaner for Mac review to learn more about that app.
There are many other programs like CCleaner to help you do the job, though. In fact, if you’re looking for an alternative solution, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice. Luckily, if you need help choosing a CCleaner replacement, you’re in the right place. We’re going to show you what other apps are available and which ones are best for you.
Before we start
The more you use your Mac, the more this kind of unnecessary data can accumulate, so it’s a good idea to clean it out now and then. For a more complete Mac cleaning experience, try MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup feature. As well as removing log files and cached data like CCleaner, it goes further, removing unused language files and other stuff that you don’t need.
Here’s how it works:
- In MacKeeper, select Safe Cleanup.
- Click Start Scan.
- When the scan is done, select what to delete, then click Clean Junk Files.
It’s really that easy. Check out MacKeeper today, and see what else it can do. It’s packed with tools to keep your Mac in top condition.
The best alternatives to CCleaner for Mac
There are many CCleaner Alternatives, but here we’re looking at just some of the best. Are they better than CCleaner? Read on and find out.
Meet the competitors of CCleaner:
1. MacKeeper
MacKeeper is a multipurpose security, optimization, and privacy program. Its Safe Cleanup tool can clear out all manner of different junk files on your Mac in just a few clicks—great if your Mac is running slow.
Pricing
License period | Number of users | Price |
12 months | 4 Macs | $65.67 |
12 months | 1 Macs | $62.01 |
6 months | 3 Macs | $53.24 |
6 months | 1 Mac | $45.99 |
1 month | 1 Mac | $10.95 |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| Fast, easy cleaning | Doesn’t have a disk space visualizer tool |
| Remove unnecessary language files | No free version |
| A good range of license options | |
| Loads of security, optimization, and other tools |
Top features
- Safe Cleanup: Find and remove various types of unneeded data.
- Antivirus: Use real-time and on-demand protection against malware infections.
- Smart Uninstaller: Safely remove apps, widgets, and more without leaving anything behind.
- Private Connect: Enjoy a complete VPN service, protecting your data and privacy.
- Duplicate Finder: Find and remove unnecessary copies of files and photos.
Download from: www.mackeeper.com
2. TotalAV
As its name suggests, TotalAV is focused largely on security. However, it also has a selection of tune-up tools, which are similar to those in CCleaner.
Pricing
| License period | Number of users | Price |
| 12 months | 3 devices | $29, then renews at $119 |
| 12 months | 5 devices | $39, then renews at $145 |
| 12 months | 6 devices | $49, then renews at $179 |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| Lots of tools for free, including cleaning | No real-time protection without a subscription |
| Good prices for the first year | Doesn’t remove language files or mail attachments |
| Works across multiple devices | Prices go up a lot after first year |
| Has a disk space visualizer | Not always clear which features are free and which cost extra |
Top features
- Disk Usage: Quickly see what’s taking up your Mac’s disk space.
- Junk Cleaner: Find and delete data that your Mac doesn’t need.
- Malware Scan: Run an on-demand scan. Subscribe to unlock real-time protection.
- Password Vault: Use a premium feature that stores your passwords.
- VPN: Benefit from a fully featured VPN with no need to pay for it.
Download from: www.totalav.com
3. AVG Cleaner
Available from the Mac App Store, AVG Cleaner is a simple, lightweight cleaning app. You can buy more fully featured apps on the AVG website, but this one is completely free.
Pricing
| License period | Number of users | Price |
| One-off | Unlimited | Free |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| Download and install for free | Has a very basic user interface |
| Cleans a variety of junk files | Cleaning function is limited compared to CCleaner |
| Has a very small number of features |
Top features
- Disk Cleaner: Search for and erase clutter from your Mac.
- Duplicate Finder: Look for unwanted copies of files in folders you specify.
Download from: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/avg-cleaner/id667434228?mt=12
4. Avast Cleanup
Avast is best known for its antivirus apps, but Avast Cleanup is focused on keeping Macs and other devices junk-free. Its main cleanup tool is called Clean Clutter.
Pricing
License period | Number of users | Price |
12 months | 1 Mac | $29.88 then renews $65.99 |
12 months | 10 devices | $34.68 then renews at $79.99 |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| Free 30-day trial without credit card | Price goes up a lot after first-year |
| 10-device license covers Mac, Windows, Android | Doesn’t offer security features or VPN |
| Large Files feature finds big files to delete | Doesn’t clean out language files or mail attachments |
| Statistics feature lets you keep track of your cleaning activities |
Top features
- Clean Clutter: Delete cached files and other junk data.
- Duplicate Files: Find and remove duplicated files from your Mac.
- Analyze Photos: Look for poor quality or similar photos you can delete.
- App Uninstaller: Safely remove apps from your computer.
- System Monitor: View vital statistics about your Mac at a glance.
Download from: www.avast.com/en-us/cleanup-mac#mac
5. Cleaner One Pro
Made by security software firm Trend Micro, Cleaner One Pro is an all-in-one disk cleaning manager for Windows and Mac computers. Its main cleaning tool goes by the name Junk Files.
Pricing
| License period | Number of users | Price |
| 12 months | 1 device | $19.99 |
| 12 months | 5 devices | $29.99 |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| Good price for a yearly subscription | No monthly rolling subscription option |
| Works on Windows and macOS | Features like VPN and antivirus cost extra |
| Removes all kinds of junk | |
| File Shredder securely deletes files |
Top features
- Junk Files: Scan your Mac for unwanted data you can delete.
- File Shredder: Erase files so they can’t be recovered by undelete software.
- Disk Map: See a visual map of your Mac’s storage.
- Duplicate Files: Get the utility that finds and deletes duplicates.
- Big Files: Quickly track down large files that you can delete.
Download from: www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome/products/cleaner-one-mac.html
6. OnyX
Onyx is a free app that lets you tweak lots of different settings on your Mac. It’s freeware, rather than being open source, which means you can share and use it, but you can’t alter the code. Onyx has some cleaning functions among its maintenance options.
Pricing
| License period | Number of users | Price |
| One-off | Unlimited | Free |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| Completely free to download and use | Cleaning function offers limited control |
| Loads of different features for your Mac | Probably too advanced for novices |
| Doesn’t take up a lot of space or slow your Mac down | Potential to delete the wrong thing and damage macOS |
| A different version for every major OS release |
Top features
- Maintenance: Verify and rebuild databases as well as clean caches and junk.
- Utilities: Manage Time Machine snapshots, see Unix manuals, and more.
- Files: Tweak visibility of files and folders, erase files, and lots more.
- Security: Gain a quick access to macOS’s built-in security features.
- Find: Locate files and folders on your Mac, using a variety of methods.
Download from: www.titanium-software.fr/
7. Macube Cleaner
A dedicated Mac app, Macube offers a variety of cleaning tools for your Apple machine. Smart Scan is its main cleaning tool, but offers a few other features too.
Pricing
| License period | Number of users | Price |
| 1 month | 1 Mac | $8.95 |
| 12 months | 1 Mac | $39.95 |
| One-off | 2 Macs | $69.95 |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| Finds and deletes a wide range of Mac junk | Doesn’t remove language files |
| Offers a duplicate file and similar image finder | Limited features compared to other CCleaner competitors |
| Shredder feature deletes files securely | |
| Offers a seven-day trial |
Top features
- Smart Scan: Delete caches, old log files, email attachments, and more.
- Large & Old Files: Quickly recover space on your Mac with this tool.
- Duplicate Finder: Get rid of those unwanted duplicates fast.
- Uninstaller: Remove apps safely from your computer.
- Shredder: Erase files forever with this feature.
Download from: www.macube.com
8. DaisyDisk
DaisyDisk is a bit different from the other cleaners here. It gives you a visual map of your Mac’s storage, but it doesn’t tell you what you can delete—that’s entirely up to you. It’s perfect if you don’t know where your storage is vanishing to.
Pricing
| License period | Number of users | Price |
| One-off | 5 Macs | $9.99 |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| Quickly find out what’s taking up your disk space | Only does one thing |
| Search your cloud storage too | Doesn’t tell you what’s safe to delete |
| Attractive, intuitive user interface | |
| Cheap, one-off price |
Top features
- Scan cloud disks: Scan Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, and OneDrive accounts.
- Scan local storage: Scan your internal and external drives.
- Scan as administrator: View restricted files and folders.
- Preview files: Quickly see what files are using macOS’s preview function.
Download from: daisydiskapp.com/
9. MacBooster
Using MacBooster’s System Junk tool, you can easily find and remove all kinds of unwanted stuff from your Mac. MacBooster also offers security, privacy, and optimization tools.
Pricing
| License period | Number of users | Price |
| 12 months | 1 Mac | $29.95 |
| 12 months | 3 Macs | $49.95 |
| 12 months | 5 Macs | $89.95 |
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
| A decent selection of tools | No monthly rolling plan |
| Offers antivirus protection | Antivirus comes up with false positives |
| Can find large and old files quickly |
Top features
- System Junk: Scan your Mac for cached data, log files, and more to delete.
- Virus & Malware Scan: Protect your Mac from malware.
- Duplicate Finder: Easily get rid of duplicated files.
- Photo Sweeper: Clear your machine of poor-quality images.
- Memory Clean: Quickly release some of your Mac’s RAM.
- Preview files: Quickly see what files are using macOS’s preview function.
Download from: www.macbooster.net
Comparison of CCleaner competitors
From Sierra to Sonora, there are plenty of different programs like CCleaner to keep macOS free of junk files. Here’s how they compare, at a glance:
Name | Starting Price | Free Trial | Cache cleaning | Duplicate Finder | Antivirus | App Uninstaller |
MacKeeper | $10.95 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
TotalAV | $29 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
AVG Cleaner | Free | Free | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Avast Cleanup | $29.88 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Cleaner One | $19.99 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Onyx | Free | Free | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Macube | $8.95 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
DaisyDisk | $9.99 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
MacBooster | $29.95 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
What is the best alternative to CCleaner?
CCleaner has lots of its own strengths, but each of the apps we’ve looked at here is better than CCleaner in some way. The key areas to consider when choosing a CCleaner alternative are:
- Pricing: How much does the app cost, are you tied into a contract, and so on?
- Number of devices per license: Some limit you to one Mac, some give you more, while others are unlimited.
- Cleaning thoroughness: What types of data do each of these utilities clean up for you?
- Automated cleaning: Most but not all cleaning apps will tell you which files are safe to delete.
- Additional features: Look out for extras like antivirus, VPN, privacy protection, and more.
For maximum cleaning effectiveness, grab yourself a copy of MacKeeper. Its Safe Cleanup feature lets you find and remove junk files—quickly and safely. Check out our MacKeeper vs CCleaner showdown to see how it compares.
Our Safe Cleanup tool deletes all kinds of data, including language files and email attachments, which not all cleaning tools do. Plus, it’s packed with loads of other features that help you to keep your Mac optimized and secure.
