We Tested 20+ Mac Cleaner Apps-Here Are Our Favorites

Editor’s Note: This post was updated on March 13, 2026 after a new round of testing.

Modern macOS does a lot of maintenance quietly in the background — but it doesn’t explain what’s accumulating, what’s safe to remove, or what’s better left alone.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to clean up your Mac—along with the best third-party Mac cleaner apps to help reclaim storage, boost speed, and keep your system running like new.

TL;DR: top Mac cleaning software at-a-glance

• DaisyDisk – Best for understanding where your space went
• CleanMyMac – Best for hands-off, all-in-one maintenance
• Sensei – Best if you care about what your Mac is actually doing
• MacKeeper – Best for automatic cleanup and real-time protection
• App Cleaner & Uninstaller – Best for removing apps cleanly
• OnyX for Mac – Best free tool for advanced users

Evaluating and testing the Mac cleaner Apps

We tested over 20 Mac cleaner apps on our M2 MacBook Air, running macOS Tahoe, with real-world clutter from development tools, media caches, and long-installed apps. We chose this system because it resembles a typical Mac that would need a cleaner. Read the full rundown of how we select tools to feature on TheSweetBits blog.

Here’s what we considered:

• Is the app intuitive and easy to use?
• Is the app secure and safe to use?
• Does it offer a free trial? Does it bundle other apps?
• What cleaning features are included?
• Is it priced reasonably, given the powerful features/functionalities we get?
• Is it compatible with the latest version of macOS?

Important safety note:

Many “cleaner” tools ask for deep system permissions. Before granting full disk access, understand what the tool actually deletes — and back up important data. In 2026, some actions that claim to “clean” system caches can have unintended side effects. Trusted tools provide clear previews and selective cleanup options.

DaisyDisk: Best for quick storage cleanup

DaisyDisk is our first recommendation if you need an app to quickly clean your Mac. It works great when you want to free up space on your Mac. Compared to the Storage Settings utility, DaisyDisk presents things more clearly.

Things we love

DaisyDisk quickly scans your Mac’s drives and gives you a visual overview of what’s eating up space. It displays files in a pinwheel-shaped disk map, letting you quickly locate and clean up large files. We found it convenient to preview all the files/folders before deleting them. Even if you skip this step, DaisyDisk warns us while attempting to remove files from System folders.

Compared to the other space analyzer tools we have tested, DaisyDisk is pretty intelligent. For example, in addition to showing storage space usage, the cleaning app also highlights free and purgeable space. As a result, we cleaned up 8 GB of purgeable space, which other Mac cleaner apps had ignored.

We must also appreciate DaisyDisk’s speed. It completed scanning our 256G SSD in just a few seconds. In some cases, even the built-in Storage section of macOS System Settings took more time. The latest version of DaisyDisk lets you scan cloud drives, such as Google Drive, to free up storage space.

What could be better

The most significant limitation is that DaisyDisk does not remove junk or cache files that are generated by the system or third-party applications. We would also love to see options for duplicate deletion and scheduled scanning.

Pricing

You can purchase a single app license for just $9.99, which is much lower than the cost of other storage upgrade solutions. It also offers a 7-day free trial.

TheSweetBits verdict: If you’re a visual thinker and want to clean up space fast, DaisyDisk gives you a stunning bird’s-eye view of your disk usage. Read our full DaisyDisk review here.

CleanMyMac: Best for comprehensive cleaning

CleanMyMac has been our go-to Mac cleaning app for years, and we love recommending this app to our readers. After testing the latest version of CleanMyMac on macOS Tahoe, we believe it deserves this top position.

Things we love

The first thing we love about CleanMyMac is its comprehensive suite of tools for security, privacy, performance, and clutter. Even so, the tool didn’t have a noticeable impact on our Mac’s performance. The Cleanup section of CleanMyMac can clean junk, residual files, caches, and trash bins. We could free up around 10GB of junk.

You should also consider using the My Clutter area. This section identified the biggest space consumers on our Macs and offered a quick way to remove them. The Applications section will also come in handy at times. The lack of clutter has also helped our MacBook’s boot time.

CleanMyMac also includes dedicated utilities for speed optimization and maintenance. They handle many tasks that can take you hours if done manually. You can restore your Mac to the best state possible with a single click. We also loved the dedicated tools for uninstalling and updating your installed apps.

What could be better

While CleanMyMac is a comprehensive solution, not all of its tools are up to the mark. For instance, you might gather better results from a dedicated antivirus program. The lack of scheduled scans is also a limitation. Many users find the tool a tad overpriced as well.

Pricing

CleanMyMac offers different pricing options to choose from, including annual, monthly, and one-time subscriptions for one, two, or five Mac computers, you can find the cheapest annual plans starting at $3.35/mo per Mac. CleanMyMac also offers 10% discount exclusively for TheSweetBits readers.

TheSweetBits verdict: If you’re short on time and want a cleaner, malware scanner, and performance monitor in one, CleanMyMac delivers convenience—especially for non-techies. Read our full CleanMyMac review here.

Sensei: Best for system monitoring and cleaning

If you believe CleanMyMac does not provide much information about your Mac during a cleanup, you may want to consider Sensei. The app is not just a cleaner; it’s a macOS performance dashboard with built-in cleaning utilities.

Things we love

When you get started with Sensei, it provides a comprehensive overview of your Mac. Depending on your machine, you can track the overall status of the SSD, RAM, CPU, GPU, and battery. Thanks to the intuitive UI throughout the app, you can understand if something is acting unusually.

But Sensei takes things further with the additional tool it packs. For instance, if you go to the Utilities section, you can find dedicated options to optimize your Mac, uninstall apps, clean junk files, or even trim your SSD. That’s right. If you have an old Mac with an SSD that could use the trimming feature, Sensei can help you.

More importantly, Sensei presents every critical piece of data simply. So, for instance, when you want to check the temperature of different system parts, you can see it in simple graphs. If you want to keep an eye on what is happening with your Mac, you can keep the Sensei Monitor on your menu bar.

What could be better

Sensei needs to work on compatibility. For instance, you cannot run this app on a Mac running an older version of macOS. So, if you plan to revive an older Mac, you need something like CleanMyMac. Similarly, you do not get many options for scheduling or notifications.

Pricing

You can download Sensei for free from the official website and use it for 14 days during the free trial. After that, it costs you $29 per year or $59 (regular) per license, which you can use on up to three Macs.

TheSweetBits’ verdict: For users who want deep insights into their Mac’s performance alongside powerful cleaning and optimization, Sensei offers a great blend of system monitoring and practical utilities. Read our full Sensei review here.

MacKeeper: Best for automatic cleaning

If you want cleaning features along with automation, you might want to check out MacKeeper. In many ways, MacKeeper is similar to CleanMyMac, but some of its features make it a good fit for this spot on the list.

Things we love

MacKeeper checks almost all the boxes for the features you need to clean and speed up your Mac. For instance, you can easily quit memory-conscious apps and remove system junk files. It also has a malware-scanning utility that works just fine.

This app does a great job of helping you avoid annoying things like adware and pop-ups. And it goes a step further by monitoring potential data leaks. But, again, it is a feature we do not see on Mac cleaners. You also get a built-in VPN, which does an incredible job.

The app does not hold back when it comes to cleaning utilities. For instance, you get a duplicate finder and a smart uninstaller. Similarly, utilities in the Performance section are handy for freeing up RAM or updating all your apps. The Smart Cleaner utility helped us clean up around 9GB of space.

What could be better

Though the cleaning interface works well, some features, like the duplicate scanner, seem to need more work as they often miss the targets.

Pricing

You can get the 12-month MacKeeper plan for $7.49 per month. There is also a free version, but it lacks many of the features that make MacKeeper different in the first place.

TheSweetBits’ verdict: MacKeeper is a solid choice for users seeking an all-in-one solution that includes automated cleaning, real-time protection, and additional privacy features like a built-in VPN. Read our full MacKeeper review here.

App Cleaner & Uninstaller: Best for app uninstalling

Sometimes, you need a way to fully uninstall apps. In those instances, you can consider App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony. This Mac cleaner app helps you remove apps, system extensions, and leftover files.

Things we love

The first thing to love about App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony is its simplicity. You get to see the list of apps and remove them in a single click. For us, the option to sort installed apps by size was also a useful way to free up storage space.

On the other hand, when you move to Startup Programs, you can see a simple-to-edit list of apps you have set up for startup login. Editing these login agents using App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony felt faster and more efficient than going to System Preferences.

In the same way, you can deal with extensions and remaining files. These two features are great if you install too many apps on your Mac for work or personal use. In addition, the ability to remove extensions will help you keep your browsers clean and optimized.

What could be better

You may be disappointed if you expect App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony to clean your entire Mac system. There are some areas where you need external help. For instance, the app does help you get rid of system junk.

Pricing

You can either subscribe to the app for $11.95 or pay $49.95 as a one-time purchase fee. Before you do either of these, you can use the app in the free trial mode for 2 days.

TheSweetBits’ verdict: If your primary need is thoroughly removing unwanted applications and their lingering files, App Cleaner & Uninstaller is a highly effective, dedicated solution.

OnyX for Mac: Best free cleaning tool

OnyX for Mac is a small, free utility that can verify your startup disk, run a variety of system-cleaning scripts manually, and rebuild your Mac. The developer offers specific OnyX versions for each major macOS version.

When a new version of macOS comes out, you have to revisit the OnyX site site and grab the latest release. Every version is free and very small. So, you won’t waste space.

It’s handy for deleting caches, removing redundant and excessive files and folders, rebuilding databases and indexes, and making your machine run more smoothly and with added disk space. Just be careful playing with these settings. They’re helpful and can improve your Mac’s performance, but if you don’t know what a given setting is supposed to do, you’re probably best off not changing it.

TheSweetBits’ verdict: We think it’s excellent for tech-savvy and experienced Mac users to take significantly more time to get around and find what you need, then learn how to use it, but the result pays.

Honorable Mentions

Here are the other Mac cleaner apps we tested for this review. Not every app we tested is listed here, but these are the ones worth mentioning.

CCleaner Professional

For years, the standard in PC cleaner software has been CCleaner. CCleaner Professional is a quick, easy-to-use program that speeds up and secures your Mac. Although CCleaner has a free version, there are only some basic features aimed at a faster Mac and privacy protection.

At the premium level ($24.95), you get Automatic Clutter/Browser Cleaning, Duplicate/Large File Cleaning, App Uninstalling, etc. Though CCleaner Professional has many helpful features, it lacks some options. For instance, it remains a simple tool for cleaning temporary files and the Internet cache.

MacBooster

MacBooster from IObit is a powerful Mac maintenance tool for cleaning up Mac computers and offers proper functionality for its class. Start by clicking Clean and Boost, for example, and four sections – Internet Security, System Cleanup, System Optimization, and Disk Clean – are scanned for errors, threats, and redundant files.

After a quick review, you can simply click the Fix button and proceed. MacBooster gives the 14-day trial a whirl, but the trial version can only complete the preliminary steps for each function. After that, it requires a $2.49/month subscription.

Cleaner One Pro

Cleaner One Pro (formerly known as Dr. Cleaner) does many things that DaisyDisk does not, but you need to make some compromises. Because it is the Pro version of Dr. Cleaner, a popular app from Trend Micro, you can expect advanced control over your Mac. It also addresses other elements such as large files, duplicates, the app manager, etc.

Even though we love the quick cleanup, it does not quite cut it for advanced users. You can purchase Cleaner One Pro for $19.99 on the official website or download it for free from the Mac App Store.

Disk Diet

Disk Diet is a tool that automatically scans your Mac’s storage drive and cleans it by deleting all trash files. You don’t have to do a thing. The app will automatically scan the cache and drive to keep it clean and optimized.

The UI is minimal, and you don’t even have a clear breakdown of the storage space. It features a one-click optimization tool, and you can clean all the trash by just clicking the ‘Diet’ button. Disk Diet is a paid Mac app priced at $5. It also offers a limited free trial version that helps you clear 500 MB of trash files.

Hyperspace

This utility takes a different approach to reclaiming disk space by leveraging APFS (Apple File System) technology. Instead of deleting files, Hyperspace identifies duplicate files and optimizes storage by creating “clones” that share the same data while maintaining separate metadata. This non-destructive process ensures that your files remain fully accessible and intact. It’s available for a free scan, with pricing options starting at $9.99/month.

FAQs

Are Mac cleaner apps safe to use?

While we cannot discuss all Mac cleaning apps, the software on this list is safe to use. We have personally tested these apps and have been using them for months, if not years. So, you do not have to worry about security while choosing any of these apps.

Do I really need a Mac cleaner?

Just like Windows, macOS also generates temporary/junk files over time. If you use your Mac for simple tasks like web browsing or checking email, this won’t be a problem. If you use your Mac for intensive tasks like development, software testing, video editing, or research, you need one of the best Mac cleaner apps.

What do Redditors say about Mac cleaners?

Most Redditors in r/mac and r/apple communities believe that less is more when it comes to these tools and prefer lightweight tools like App Cleaner and OnyX. There is some skepticism about paid tools, but certain tools like DaisyDisk can CleanMyMac and receive a lot of praise; however, many prefer inbuilt options as well.

Does Mac have a system cleanup?

Mac’s got your back on basic cleanup! Use Optimize Storage (Apple menu › About This Mac › Storage › Manage) to follow Apple’s own recommendations for offloading large files, old media, and unused apps. Use Spotlight and Finder to hunt down forgotten apps, bulky files, and obvious duplicates. Use Activity Monitor (Applications › Utilities) to find resourcehogging processes and shut them down. Advanced users can carefully explore the Library (Finder › Go › Go to Folder) to remove app leftovers—but always back up first.

System Data in modern macOS is intentionally opaque and not meant for casual one-click deletion, so treat anything touching it with caution and prioritize Apple’s built-in storage recommendations instead.

What is the best free Mac cleaner?

If you want to stick with trusted free tools, OnyX and App Cleaner & Uninstaller (free mode) stand out.  For many people, combining them with macOS’s own Storage Management is enough for regular maintenance. You can also look at simpler utilities like CCleaner Free for Mac or Disk Doctor, but they’re more limited and don’t offer the same level of control or transparency.

Final Words

On modern macOS, a dedicated cleaner isn’t always necessary. For many people, built-in tools + app-specific utilities like App Cleaner are enough.

When you do want deeper automation, smart scans, and performance tidying — and you understand what’s being changed — tools like CleanMyMac and Sensei earn their place.

Heavy all-in-one suites like MacKeeper add extras like malware scanning and VPN, but with additional complexity and privacy consideration.

Knowing when not to run a cleaner is as important as knowing which cleaner to choose.

* Readers like you help support TheSweetBits. When you buy something through the links in this article, we may get a small commission at no extra charge to you.

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