CleanMyMac vs Cleaner One Pro

Mac users who are considering downloading a cleaning app for their computer might be choosing between CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro. CleanMyMac is a well-known tool in the industry, but Cleaner One Pro is gradually gaining a foothold, although it’s currently still more popular among Windows customers.

Cleaner apps are incredibly useful, especially because they solve several issues in one package. They’re the software you need if you have storage problems on your Mac and notice that your computer has slowed down as a result. However, you can also use these apps to clean your computer of malware, in addition to cleaning duplicates, junk files, and temporary documents.

Before we start

 

Although we’re comparing CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro here, there’s an even better solution on the market—Safe Cleanup, MacKeeper’s tool dedicated to freeing up space on your Mac.

 

In fact, it can free up to 7.5 GB of disk space in just one scan. Safe Cleanup makes it easy to delete apps and clean all their leftovers, determine which junk files and duplicates to remove, and boost your Mac’s performance.

 

Here’s how to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup in simple steps:

1. Download and launch the MacKeeper app on your Mac.
2. Select Safe Cleanup at the top of the sidebar.
3. Click Start Scan.
4. When the scan is complete, choose the files and folders you want to remove, then click Clean Junk Files.

Choosing the best Mac cleaning software can be tricky, as there are many options on the market. In this article, we compare two of the tools available for your Apple computer: CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro. Follow us for more detail.

1. Supported platforms

It’s pointless to settle on a cleaning solution if you can’t install it on your computer. In this section, you can check which devices CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro are compatible with, which can tip the balance to one side or the other.

Hint from our experts: 

 

If you have problems installing these programs on your computer, it’s not always due to a compatibility issue. Not having enough free space can complicate the process, so be sure to clear space on Mac to ensure a fast and smooth process.

1.1 CleanMyMac is only for Mac computers

CleanMyMac is specifically designed for Mac, so it’s not compatible with Windows or Linux computers. Additionally, it can’t be used on iPhones, iPads, or Android phones and tablets.

The latest version of this cleaning app is only compatible with computers running macOS High Sierra or any other later version. Therefore, all Mac models manufactured before 2009 are practically ruled out.

MacPaw still offers two older versions that are compatible with macOS 10.10, macOS 10.11, and macOS 10.12. They’re completely stable and secure versions of CleanMyMac X, but you’ll miss out on the latest features.

1.2 Cleaner One Pro can be used on macOS and Windows

Cleaner One Pro is also available for Mac users, specifically those who have macOS Catalina or later installed on their computer.

Trend Micro also offers this product for iPhone or iPad, but users must ensure that they have at least iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, respectively, installed on their devices. It’s not compatible with earlier versions of Apple’s mobile operating system.

Windows users can also use this app on their computers. In this case, Windows 10 or Windows 11 is required. Meanwhile, Android and Linux devices aren’t supported.

2. Features

A good cleaning app should include tools to remove system junk and hidden files, delete malware and other elements that can harm your privacy, and optimize macOS by managing and maintaining apps.

Let’s see which of them we can find in CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro.

2.1 CleanMyMac tools

Is CleanMyMac safe? Is it reliable in detecting and removing malware? Should you turn to this app to get rid of duplicates, temporary files, and deleted documents? Below are the tools included in CleanMyMac:

• System junk, mail attachments, and trash bins cleaner
• Space Lens storage visualizer
• Large and old files remover
• Shredder for securely removing files
• Malware removal
• Privacy protecting tool
• Performance optimizer
• Maintenance scanner
• Application uninstaller, updater, and extensions

For more information, you can read our CleanMyMac X review.

2.1.1 Cleanup tool

CleanMyMac has several tools for cleaning your Mac, although the main ones are located in the first section of the left-hand sidebar. You’ll be able to delete cache files, incomplete downloads, unused DMGs, hidden files, and other documents that have been sitting on your device unattended for too long.

2.1.2 Protection against malware

Although not an antivirus, MacPaw’s app also offers some level of virus detection. In this regard, its Malware Removal tool offers real-time protection against Trojans and browser hijackers. Additionally, CleanMyMac allows you to "rewrite your online history." This means it deletes tracking cookies, online chats, and browser history.

2.1.3 Speed optimizer

CleanMyMac can also help improve your Mac’s performance. The app section offers tools to free up RAM or purgeable space, as well as a section dedicated to optimizing macOS. This feature will disable the apps that use the most memory resources and switch off background plugins.

2.2 Cleaner One Pro features

Here’s the complete list of features offered with Cleaner One Pro:

• Memory optimizer
• Junk files cleaner and duplicate finder
• Big files and similar photo scanner
• File shredder
• Advanced CPU/network monitoring
• Disk map
• Startup manager
• App cleaner and manager

These are, of course, the features found in the paid computer version of Cleaner One Pro. The free version of the app includes a limited set of tools, such as a memory optimizer, a junk files cleaner, and a big file scanner.

Note from our team: If you decide to download the iOS app, keep in mind that you’ll be getting a version that’s optimized for mobile devices called Cleaner One. This version includes a photo and video cleaner, a bulk photo remover, a contacts cleaner and backup, and a privacy photo scanner.

2.2.1 Smart Scan

The Smart Scan feature is a great way to start cleaning up your Mac. It helps to free up space and improve the speed of your device. In just one click, Cleaner One Pro will do a full system scan and show you what’s taking up so much disk space.

2.2.2 File Shredder

Cleaner One Pro’s file shredder feature goes beyond just cleaning your computer of files that you no longer need. This feature lets you choose private and sensitive documents from your device and delete them permanently so that they can never be recovered.

2.2.3 App cleaner and manager

Cleaner One Pro’s app manager includes a feature to delete programs that you no longer need safely. This feature helps to free up space and improve the performance of your device.

3. Pricing

While comparing the features offered by one cleaning app to another is essential in making a purchase decision, there’s often nothing more decisive than the price. Everyone has a budget in mind and knows how much they’re willing to spend on a piece of software for their Mac.

Our verdict: Cleaner One Pro is less expensive than CleanMyMac X, but MacPaw’s cleaning solution offers more pricing options and plans.

3.1 CleanMyMac pricing

CleanMyMac customers can choose to pay once a year for a subscription, or make a one-time payment to get a lifetime license. See the details below:

In either case, you have the option to try the product for 7 days thanks to the free trial. You’ll have that time to test all the features and decide if it’s worth paying for them. If you feel that the MacPaw app isn’t for you, you can cancel and uninstall CleanMyMac at no cost.

Both the free trial and paid versions offer encrypted payment, instant activation, and 24/7 customer and technical support. Paying customers will also enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3.2 How much Cleaner One Pro is

Cleaner One Pro users who want to use the program on a PC or macOS computer can purchase the product on an annual subscription basis.

They can choose to pay for 1 device or 5, but can’t pay for the subscription on a monthly basis or make a one-time payment for a lifetime license. These plans include encrypted payment, instant activation, and 24/7 customer support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cleaner One Pro is also available for free with a more limited feature offering.

As mentioned above, this app is also available for iPhone and iPad, but the pricing breakdown looks a bit different. The app, which is actually Cleaner One (not Cleaner One Pro), is free to download and will give you access to many features at no cost, although you’ll have to pay to get premium services and to remove ads.

Final comparison with pros and cons

In summary, both CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro offer a Smart Scan feature that helps to optimize your computer in a single click. With both cleaning solutions, you’ll be able to clean unnecessary files, speed up your Mac, and manage the apps installed on your computer.

The main difference between CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro is that CleanMyMac offers specific tools to protect your computer from malware and remove dangerous traces. Additionally, there’s a gap in the pricing options and plans, as well as in their device compatibility.

See the table below for their pros and cons:

As we said, both CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro offer a Smart Scan that provides a quick overview of your computer’s current state. MacPaw’s Smart Scan is more detailed, but that doesn’t make it any less useful than the Trend Micro app’s one. Both solutions allow you to eliminate system junk and get rid of large files.

Both cleaning apps also offer the possibility of optimizing your computer, as well as app and extensions uninstallers. Cleaner One Pro includes a tool to manage your Mac’s startup and speed up the process every time you turn on your computer. CleanMyMac runs maintenance scripts to make your apps more responsive.

If you’re concerned about the privacy of your most sensitive documents, both CleanMyMac and Cleaner One Pro offer a file shredder that makes it impossible to recover files and folders you delete using their respective tools.

CleanMyMac is a more complete cleaning app than Cleaner One Pro, as it includes additional exclusive tools such as malware detection and elimination. It’s close to MacKeeper's cleanup utility, which offers excellent value.

The price can be a factor in choosing one solution over another. Cleaner One Pro is a more economical option, costing $19.99/year for 1 device or $29.99/year for 5 devices. This is 40% and 60% cheaper than the same offer for CleanMyMac. CleanMyMac, on the other hand, is the only solution that offers a lifetime license.

Cleaner One Pro also has a free version with no time limit, although it does have a limited range of features. CleanMyMac offers a free trial that allows you to enjoy all of its features, but it doesn’t beat Trend Micro’s free app.

Cleaner One Pro has wider device compatibility, as it can be installed on Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Windows PC. However, if you’re a Mac user, you might not mind that CleanMyMac is only available for macOS.