DaisyDisk vs CleanMyMac

As with any computer, Macs inevitably get filled with junk and unnecessary data—the more you use them. Obvious culprits include old installers and downloads you no longer need, but that’s not all. Web browser caches, duplicate files, data left behind by uninstalled apps, email attachments—the list goes on.

And it can all end up hogging your Mac’s disk space, which can impact overall performance. So, if you’re wondering why is my Mac so slow, the cluttered laptop could be the reason.

That’s where Mac cleaning tools like DaisyDisk and CleanMyMac can help. They’re both designed to help you find and delete unwanted files from your Mac. Which is best for you, though? Keep scrolling our review to find out.

A note from our experts

 

MacKeeper will safely remove all unnecessary data, and you’ll instantly regain some much-needed disk space. Sound good? Try MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup, and see what it can do for you.

 

Here’s how to run a Safe Cleanup scan with MacKeeper:

1. In MacKeeper, select Safe Cleanup from the sidebar.
2. Click Start Scan and wait for the scan to finish.
3. Select what you want to delete, and click Clean Junk Files.
4. Choose whether to empty your trash or skip it.

DaisyDisk review

Developer: Software Ambience

Price: $9.99 for five Macs

Free trial: Yes

Requirements: macOS 10.13 or later

• Find out what’s taking up your disk space
• Get a visual representation of your Mac’s storage
• Quickly delete files and folders
• Buy for a cheap, one-off fee.

Check out our full DaisyDisk review to learn more.

Features and tools of DaisyDisk

Here’s what you get with DaisyDisk:

• It scans internal, external, and removable storage
• Scans Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, and Microsoft OneDrive
• Scans as administrator
• Shows results in Finder
• Hidden space scanning
• Individual folder scanning
• Quick file preview
• System-critical file protection
• Fully manual cleaning
• Doesn’t analyze or collect any of your data
• Drag and drop files and folders to build a delete list.

How much does DaisyDisk cost?

DaisyDisk costs a straightforward $9.99. This is a one-off payment covering five Macs with minor updates and bug fixes included. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Is DaisyDisk safe?

DaisyDisk comes from a reputable developer, so it’s safe to install and scan your Mac with. Be careful, however, when deleting anything with it. Although it includes safeguards to stop you from removing anything macOS needs to run, it’s easy to delete something you didn’t mean to. For more tips on regaining storage, read our guide on how to free up disk space on Mac.

DaisyDisk summary

CleanMyMac X review

This, in a nutshell, is what CleanMyMac X is all about:

• An all-in-one tool offering more than just cleaning
• Automatic and manual cleaning features
• Has a feature just like DaisyDisk
• Lots of different pricing options.

For more information, take a look at our full CleanMyMac X review.

Features and tools of CleanMyMac

With CleanMyMac, you get a large selection of tools designed to optimize, protect, and clean your Mac.

CleanMyMac’s features include:

• SpaceLens, a visual disk space analyzer
• Cache cleaning and junk removal
• Memory cleaning
• Antivirus protection
• File shredding for secure deletion
• Web browser and chat privacy protection
• Large and old file removal
• App updater
• Mail attachment deleter
• Maintenance tools and scripts.

How much does CleanMyMac cost?

CleanMyMac is available through one-year subscriptions and one-off purchases. These start from $34.95 a year for one Mac, but you can save money by subscribing to more Macs. The one-time purchases come with free minor updates and bug fixes.

Check out the table below for the full list of pricing info:

Is CleanMyMac safe?

It’s perfectly safe to install and scan your Mac with CleanMyMac X. Its automated tools shouldn’t delete anything your Mac needs to run, but you should also review the results before deleting anything. If you use the SpaceLen feature to remove files from your Mac automatically, be more careful because it’s easy to delete the wrong thing if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Take a look at our guide on how to clear cache on Mac if you’re trying to remove junk files.

CleanMyMac summary

DaisyDisk vs CleanMyMac: Final comparison

So, which is the best Mac cleaner? Although these two apps can help free up disk space on your Mac, they offer very different experiences. The main difference between DaisyDisk vs CleanMyMac is that one is a single-function app while the other is a multi-function, all-in-one tool for Mac users.

DaisyDisk does what it does well, and the cloud storage scanning is a major boost. Its main advantage, though, is its price. You pay one low price, and you’ve got this cleaning app for life. On that front, CleanMyMac can’t compete—either you pay a yearly subscription fee, or you pay a one-time price that’s much higher than DaisyDisk.

But CleanMyMac wins on every other front. Like MacKeeper, it goes way beyond cleaning, more than justifying its subscription model. Unless you only want very basic functionality, these kinds of tools make a much better choice.

DaisyDisk vs CleanMyMac summary

Ultimately, DaisyDisk and CleanMyMac X serve different functions and needs. If all you want to do is scan your Mac’s storage, DaisyDisk is a great option, and the cloud functionality is a bonus. But CleanMyMac’s SpaceLens feature does almost exactly the same as DaisyDisk, and it’s just one of many tools it offers. However, it’s also much more expensive, and you may not wish to commit to a yearly subscription.

There’s another option—MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup. It offers fast, safe junk cleaning features like CleanMyMac but with the added advantage of a low-cost rolling subscription, among other options. If you’re not sure if you want to commit to it for the long term, it’s a great way to try out Mac-cleaning tools first. Plus, the MacKeeper app is packed with other optimization and security features as well.