CleanMyMac alternatives: 6 free and paid options compared

Why people look for a CleanMyMac alternative

CleanMyMac, from MacPaw, is one of the best-known Mac cleaners. It offers a 7-day free trial, plus subscription plans and a one-time purchase. Most people who search for an alternative give one of these reasons:

• Cost. A subscription charges you every year, and a one-time purchase may exclude major upgrades.
• Too much. A suite with many tools can overwhelm someone who only wants more disk space.
• Trust. A cleaner asks for Full Disk Access, so some people prefer a smaller, simpler tool.
• Curiosity. Some people want to see what a free tool can do before they pay.

None of that makes CleanMyMac a bad choice. It makes the decision a trade-off, and this guide helps you weigh it.

What to compare in any Mac cleaner

Use these six checks on every tool, including this one.

The 6 best CleanMyMac alternatives

1. macOS Storage settings (free, built in)

Open System Settings, then General, then Storage. You get a category breakdown, plus options such as Optimize Storage and automatic Trash emptying. It costs nothing and carries no risk.

Best for: a first look at what fills your disk. Skip if: you need to open up System Data or find duplicates.

2. OnyX (free)

OnyX is a free maintenance utility that runs routine tasks and clears caches. Download the version made for your macOS release, and read each option before you run it, because it exposes settings that expect some technical knowledge.

Best for: confident users who like control. Skip if: you want a simple, guided scan.

3. AppCleaner (free)

AppCleaner, from FreeMacSoft, removes an app along with the support files it left behind. Our guide on how to use an app cleaner on Mac walks through it.

Best for: uninstalling apps cleanly. Skip if: you want it to do anything else.

4. GrandPerspective or DaisyDisk (disk analyzers)

These show your disk as a map, so the biggest folders stand out at once. GrandPerspective is free or low-cost, depending on where you get it. DaisyDisk is paid. Both leave the deleting to you.

Best for: hunting large files visually. Skip if: you want a tool that also clears and undoes. Read our disk space analyzer comparison for the details.

5. App Cleaner & Uninstaller (paid)

Nektony’s App Cleaner & Uninstaller is a paid tool that removes apps and manages extensions and login items. It is a different product from the free AppCleaner above, so check the developer and the plan before you buy.

Best for: people who manage lots of apps. Skip if: you need a full disk cleanup.

6. MyMacStorage ($14.99 once)

MyMacStorage is a native Mac storage cleaner. One scan maps your whole disk and names what is inside System Data. It also finds large files, byte-for-byte duplicates and app leftovers. You review every item, everything goes to the Trash and Undo restores a whole cleanup.

Best for: a guided cleanup you pay for once. Skip if: you want a free trial. There isn’t one, but you can request a refund within 7 days.

All six alternatives side by side

Which alternative should you choose?

• You want to pay nothing. Use Storage settings, AppCleaner and OnyX or GrandPerspective together.
• You mostly uninstall apps. Use AppCleaner.
• You want a map of your disk. Use GrandPerspective or DaisyDisk.
• You want one guided scan, no subscription and an undo. Use MyMacStorage.

Still unsure? Our buyer’s guide to Mac cleaner apps lists the red flags to avoid.

How to switch without losing anything

1. Cancel any subscription in the store where you bought it, so it doesn’t renew.
2. Run a Time Machine backup before your next cleanup.
3. Remove the old cleaner with its own uninstaller, then check ~/Library for leftovers.
4. Run one scan in your new tool and review the list before you clear anything.