Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and similar tools are not especially large on their own. The real pressure comes from everything they generate and leave behind. Traditional cleaners were built for caches and leftover app files. They become less reliable when the largest folders look like “junk” but contain work you may still need.

“I judge a cleaner less by how many gigabytes it claims and more by whether it lets you see clearly before anything is removed.”

— from the developer of Mole, on building a Mac cleaner for the AI era

Measure before you delete anything

Start with totals, not guesses:

du -sh ~/.claude ~/.codex ~/.ollama/models ~/.cache/huggingface 2>/dev/null | sort -h

Then look for amplified build output in your project folders:

find ~/Projects ~/Developer -maxdepth 3 -type d \
\( -name target -o -name node_modules -o -name .next -o -name dist -o -name build -o -name DerivedData \) \
-prune -exec du -sh {} + 2>/dev/null | sort -h | tail -20

You will often find that one or two project folders, plus agent home directories, explain most of the pressure.

If you prefer a visual map, a disk analyzer such as DaisyDisk can help surface large folders quickly. It shows what is large; it still cannot tell you whether that data is safe to remove.

Common mistakes to avoid

These are the patterns that keep showing up in developer reports:

Deleting ~/.claude or ~/.codex entirely
These folders mix settings, sessions, and local state. Removing the whole directory can wipe useful history and app data at once.

Deleting Ollama or Hugging Face folders in Finder
Model stores often share layers. Removing files by hand can break other models. Use each tool’s own remove commands instead.

Treating agent sessions as ordinary cache
Conversation files can look like logs, but they may contain decisions, rejected approaches, and screenshots you still need. Don’t put them in one-click cleanup.

Clearing build folders while a project is still running
Quit agents and active builds first. Otherwise you may delete files still in use or force a broken rebuild mid-task.

The common theme: the biggest numbers on disk are not always the safest to remove.

Four kinds of AI-related storage

1. Build output (usually regenerable)

Agents compile and test far more often than a human does. That amplifies normal developer clutter:

• Rust target/
• JavaScript .next, dist, build, bundler caches
• Python __pycache__
• Xcode DerivedData

These can often be recreated locally when sources and toolchains are still present. Quit active builds first. Prefer project-native commands (cargo clean, clearing DerivedData carefully, etc.) when you know the stack.

In the Mole developer’s own workflow, repeated AI-assisted builds once left 86 GB of build artifacts on a single Mac.

Default: Safe to clear when the project is idle and you accept a rebuild cost.

2. Old agent CLI versions (review carefully)

Many agent CLIs update by downloading a full new release and leaving the previous ones on disk. Each copy can be a few hundred megabytes. After months of updates, several unused versions can add up to multiple gigabytes.

Do not simply keep the newest folder by date. Resolve the live launcher first:

readlink -f "$(command -v claude)"
readlink -f "$(command -v codex)"

Keep the target that is actually in use. Review the rest. If a version might still be pinned or referenced, leave it alone.

Default: Keep the active install; review older copies one by one.

3. Sessions, transcripts, and agent state (often irreplaceable)

Paths such as:

• ~/.claude/projects
• ~/.codex/sessions
• ~/.grok/sessions

can look like logs. They are usually working history: approaches tried, rejected options, and the reasoning behind a change.

They can also be much larger than the text suggests. As Yukun Gao, developer of Mint, told us in our interview:

“Agents check their work by looking at it, and every screenshot is saved in the conversation. On my Mac, one Codex store was 22.83 GB, and 71% of it was images, many of them the same screenshot again and again.”

That is why “delete old chats” is a weak first response. A lot of the weight may be repeated media inside conversations you still use — and the text itself is often the part worth keeping.

Default: Do not put these in batch cleanup. Delete only conversations you deliberately no longer need, preferably through the agent itself when it offers a proper remove action.

4. Local models (remove only through the owning tool)

Ollama, LM Studio, and Hugging Face caches are often the heaviest items on disk. They are also easy to damage if you delete hashed blobs by hand, because models can share layers.

Use the tool’s own commands:

ollama ls
ollama rm MODEL_NAME

For LM Studio, remove models from within the app (or its supported CLI), not by guessing folders in Finder.

Default: Inventory and remove named models through the owner tool. Leave the store alone otherwise.

Where these tools usually store data

These are starting points, not automatic delete lists. Some tools allow custom data directories.

A simple rule that prevents most mistakes

Rank candidates by what it costs to get them back:

This is the same philosophy behind tools that treat AI clutter more carefully. Mole, for example, hard-protects session and model paths in ordinary cleanup and emphasizes review-before-delete. Mint focuses on clear categories and, where supported, non-destructive Optimize options for some agent-related storage.

Looking at a disk full of agent data, the useful question is not “How much junk did we find?” but “What can return in minutes, what needs a download, and what is gone forever if we delete it?”

One extra caution: a folder named Caches is not automatically safe. Some system “cache” paths hold compiled resources (for example Neural Engine data) that other apps still need.

A practical cleanup order

1. Measure agent homes and large project build folders.
2. Quit coding agents and related CLIs.
3. Clear regenerable build output in projects you are not actively using.
4. Review old CLI version folders after confirming the live launcher target.
5. Leave sessions and models alone unless you intentionally remove specific chats or named models through the right tool.
6. Empty Trash only after you have confirmed nothing important was moved there.

If you prefer a guided tool:

• Mole — strong for review-first cleanup of AI/dev clutter, with protected session and model paths.
• Mint — strong when you want clearer categories and safer decision boundaries, including AI-related storage.

Both appear in our updated guide to the best Mac cleaner apps, in the AI-era section.

FAQ

Is it safe to delete ~/.codex or ~/.claude entirely?
Usually no. Those folders mix settings, sessions, and other state. Remove specific conversations or caches only when you understand what you are targeting.

Does archiving a conversation free disk space?
Often not. Archiving may only move the file. Space returns when data is actually deleted.

Should I delete Ollama or Hugging Face folders in Finder?
No. Use ollama rm, LM Studio’s model UI, or the Hugging Face cache tools so shared blobs and manifests stay consistent.

Do I need a Mac cleaner for this?
Not always. Built-in Storage settings plus careful manual cleanup are enough for many people. A dedicated tool helps when you want a clearer review list, better leftover detection, or ongoing maintenance — and when the tool is explicit about what it will not touch.

What’s the fastest safe win?
Clear idle project build output (target, DerivedData, .next) after quitting agents. That often frees more space than deleting chats, with less risk.

Final takeaway

AI coding agents did not invent disk clutter. They changed the mix and the stakes. Build folders grow faster. Old CLI copies accumulate quietly. Session files can be both large and valuable. Models are heavy and easy to break if removed the wrong way.

Clean by restore cost, not by the biggest number on screen. Look before you delete. And when a tool promises to reclaim space after agent work, the most important feature is still the list of what it refuses to remove.

Note: If a large chunk of your “System Data” is actually Apple Intelligence models (common after macOS 27), that is a separate issue. See our guide on reclaiming System Data and removing Apple Intelligence models.

<p>The post Why AI Coding Agents Are Filling Your Mac Disk — and What’s Safe to Clean first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

We wanted to see which VPNs make streaming feel easy once you’ve settled onto the sofa. That means looking past download speeds to how well the macOS apps work, and whether Netflix plays without much fiddling. Five VPNs made our shortlist, but they don’t all offer the same experience.

Keep in mind that the VPNs that work best with Netflix aren’t always the ones with the strongest privacy credentials. Our ranking here focuses on streaming performance and everyday Mac usability rather than a full privacy audit.

Also: Best VPNs for Mac and Safari

Best VPNs for Netflix at a glance

Each VPN has something different, but we’d pay close attention to its Mac app before choosing one. All five offer native macOS apps, and we’ve kept TV compatibility in the table for anyone who also watches Netflix on a bigger screen.

Here’s how our five picks compare.

Apple TV apps generally require tvOS 17 or later. Proton VPN also has an Apple TV app, but you’ll need a paid plan to use it.

How we tested these VPNs for Netflix

We connected each VPN and played an episode of a series or a movie on Netflix in HD. Then we skipped ahead to see how quickly playback resumed. If Netflix threw an error, we switched servers and tried again. A great speed-test result doesn’t mean much when the Play button refuses to cooperate.

We also compared download speeds with the VPN switched on and off. Netflix recommends at least 15Mbps for 4K, but hitting that number doesn’t guarantee smooth playback. We also checked how easy it was to connect and switch servers using each VPN’s macOS app. Nobody wants to wrestle with settings before movie night.

Our testing was done on a MacBook Air M5 running macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1, with a baseline download speed of 90 Mbps before connecting to a VPN.

The 5 best fast VPNs for Netflix

A VPN can be easy to use on one platform and a nuisance on another. We paid particular attention to the Mac apps while testing these five services. Here’s what we found.

1. ExpressVPN: Best overall for Netflix

ExpressVPN gave us very little to complain about during Netflix testing. We watched Nobody Wants This in 1080p, and skipping ahead didn’t leave us staring at a loading spinner. We didn’t have to fiddle with any special streaming settings, either.

What we particularly like about ExpressVPN is how it handles server locations on Mac. Favorites appear in the Recommended tab alongside recently used locations, so reconnecting doesn’t mean scrolling through a long country list. A small convenience, perhaps, but one you’ll appreciate after a few evenings of Netflix.

There are also dedicated apps for iPhone, Apple TV, Google TV, Android TV, and Fire TV. For certain older smart TVs that can’t install VPN apps, ExpressVPN offers MediaStreamer. It can help with streaming, although it doesn’t encrypt your connection like a proper VPN.

ExpressVPN Basic currently costs $83.72 upfront for 28 months, renewing at $99.95 annually. That’s a fair bit to spend, but the straightforward Mac app makes a convincing case for it.

Read our full ExpressVPN review here.

2. NordVPN: Best for fast connections

Getting Netflix to play was refreshingly uneventful. We streamed Animals in HD without interruptions, and we rarely needed to switch servers. No troubleshooting session before the opening credits, thankfully.

NordLynx is NordVPN‘s protocol built around WireGuard, designed to keep connection speeds high without compromising security. It’s particularly useful for streaming, where even a brief slowdown can affect picture quality. SmartPlay also works automatically in the background, so there’s no special Netflix setting to worry about.

The Mac app keeps server selection simple, too. The “Secure my connection” button picks a server automatically, while the search bar lets you choose a specific country yourself. There are dedicated apps for iPhone, Apple TV, and Fire TV as well.

NordVPN supports up to 10 simultaneous connections. Its Basic plan costs $3.49 per month on a two-year subscription, billed at $94.23 for the first 27 months. It renews at $139.08 annually, which takes some of the shine off that introductory price.

3. CyberGhost: Best for dedicated streaming servers

Finding a server that works with Netflix can sometimes feel like a guessing game. CyberGhost makes things easier by separating its streaming-optimized servers from the regular list, so you don’t have to keep trying different countries and hoping for the best.

On Mac, there’s a For streaming category where you can find servers optimized for Netflix. We particularly like that you can save these locations to Favorites. It saves you from scrolling through the same server list every evening.

We watched Crew Girl in UHD using CyberGhost’s Netflix-optimized servers, and playback stayed smooth throughout. Even switching server locations didn’t interrupt our streaming. The dedicated servers make connecting easier, but they don’t guarantee access to every Netflix library.

There’s one drawback for Apple TV users. CyberGhost doesn’t have a native Apple TV app, so you’ll need a compatible router or a shared VPN connection. That’s more setup than we’d like.

CyberGhost currently costs $2.19 per month on a 26-month subscription, billed at $56.94 upfront. It renews at $56.94 annually and supports seven simultaneous connections. For Mac users, we’d say the streaming-specific interface is its biggest selling point.

4. Surfshark: Best value for multiple devices

We watched Love Village: Season 3 in Ultra HD without buffering, even with Surfshark connected on several devices. We didn’t notice any lag, and there was no need to keep switching servers to get things working.

One subscription lets you connect as many devices as you need. We could leave the VPN running on our MacBook Air while using it on Apple TV, without having to disconnect anything.

The Mac app has a handy Quick-connect option, so you don’t need to hunt through server locations. You can also set Auto-connect to use your preferred location, saving you a little fiddling before Netflix.

Just remember that unlimited VPN connections don’t mean unlimited Netflix streams. Your Netflix plan still decides how many people can watch at once.

Surfshark Starter currently costs $2.49 per month on a 27-month introductory offer, billed at $67.23 upfront. It renews at $79 annually. We’d consider it for a household with several devices, though that renewal price deserves a second look.

5. Proton VPN Free: Unlimited data, with streaming limits

Getting unlimited VPN data without paying anything sounds like a pretty good deal for Netflix. Unfortunately, the free plan isn’t quite the streaming bargain it first appears to be. We managed to play Doctor X: Mafia in White using Proton VPN Free, but it took longer to load and buffered more often than we’d like.

There’s no monthly data cap, which is a welcome change from most free VPNs. However, you’re limited to servers in 10 countries, and you can’t choose a specific location. Proton assigns one automatically, and switching servers gives you another random location after a cooldown. Not ideal when you just want to start an episode.

The free app works on Mac, iPhone, Google TV, and Android TV, although Netflix streaming isn’t officially supported. On iPhone, you can even connect in Guest mode without creating an account. Apple TV users need a paid subscription, and free accounts are limited to one connected device.

Upgrading to Proton VPN Plus gets you selectable servers and supported Netflix streaming. It currently costs $3.49 per month on a two-year plan, billed at $83.76 upfront and renewing at $83.88 annually.

We’d consider the free plan for occasional streaming, but wouldn’t rely on it for regular Netflix viewing.

Why isn’t Netflix working with my VPN?

Netflix isn’t always subtle about detecting a VPN. Sometimes you’ll get a proxy error; other times, the show you wanted simply disappears from your library. VPNs also aren’t supported on ad-supported Netflix plans or during live events.

The quickest way to check is to disconnect your VPN and play the same video again. If it works, you’ve probably found the problem. If Netflix plays but keeps buffering, compare your connection speeds at Fast.com with the VPN switched on and off. A nearby server might help if your speed has dropped.

Still having trouble with the VPN disconnected? Reload Netflix in your browser and check whether it needs updating. Sometimes it’s the browser having a bad day, not your VPN.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use a free VPN for Netflix?
Yes, but we wouldn’t count on one for regular streaming. Proton VPN Free offers unlimited data, although Netflix isn’t officially supported and server selection is restricted. A paid VPN is a more dependable option if you’d rather spend your evening watching something than troubleshooting.

Which VPN server should I use for Netflix?
Start with a nearby server. It’s usually your best bet for maintaining good speeds. If your VPN offers streaming-optimized servers, like CyberGhost, try those first. Connecting to a server farther away won’t necessarily give you access to that country’s Netflix library.

Can I watch Netflix with a VPN while traveling abroad?
Yes, although your Netflix library may look different depending on where you’re staying. Using a VPN doesn’t guarantee access to the shows available back home. Netflix may also limit what you can watch while the VPN is connected.

Do I need a separate Netflix subscription when using a VPN?
Yes. A VPN subscription doesn’t include Netflix. You’ll still need an active Netflix account, and your Netflix plan determines how many devices can stream simultaneously.

Final verdict: Which Netflix VPN should you choose?

We’d stick with ExpressVPN for Netflix on Mac. Our 1080p playback was smooth, and its Mac app keeps favorite server locations within easy reach. The renewal price is harder to love.

NordVPN makes sense if speed matters most. For households with several devices, Surfshark offers better value. CyberGhost‘s dedicated streaming servers are particularly handy on Mac, while Proton VPN Free is harder to recommend for Netflix since streaming isn’t officially supported.

Keep learning:

• How to Fix macOS VPN Not Working
• How to Protect Online Privacy on a Mac: Settings & Apps
• An Interview With ClearVPN Product Manager – Dmytro Yakovliev
• Free Anonymous Browsers for Privacy: What Actually Works on Mac

* 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.

<p>The post Best VPNs for Netflix: Fast, reliable options compared first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

This guide focuses on macOS 27 Golden Gate on Apple silicon Macs. Most of the advice also applies to macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 15 Sequoia, though a few labels and menu locations differ slightly.

TL;DR

Review app permissions, turn on FileVault and the firewall, keep macOS updated, and tighten Safari’s tracking protections. A content blocker helps inside the browser; DNS filtering and an outbound network monitor give you broader control. A VPN is useful on untrusted networks, but it does not make you anonymous. Start with the built-in settings and only add tools when they solve a real problem.

Settings: protect your privacy with macOS built-in tools

Start here. You do not need another utility before checking what your Mac is already sharing.

Audit App Permissions

Open System Settings > Privacy & Security and go through each category. Pay particular attention to the more powerful ones:

• Input Monitoring – can observe keyboard and mouse input
• Accessibility – gives broad control over the system
• Screen & System Audio Recording – allows screen or audio capture
• Full Disk Access – exposes a wide range of files

Turn off anything you do not recognize or no longer use. Also review Analytics & Improvements and Apple Advertising if you never intentionally opted in.

Full Disk Access deserves extra caution. It largely bypasses normal privacy protections and is increasingly requested by AI agents and other tools that want deep system access. Apple has said it plans stricter controls because of these risks. Only grant it when an app genuinely needs it (for example, a backup utility), and revisit the list periodically.

In practice, most of us accumulate a long list of forgotten permissions. A quick scan every few months is usually enough. You do not need to revoke everything — just make sure each permission still has a clear purpose.

Turn On FileVault

On Apple silicon Macs the internal storage is already encrypted. Enabling FileVault adds password protection to the encryption keys, which helps if the Mac is lost or stolen.

• Go to Privacy & Security > FileVault and click Turn On.
• Choose Create a recovery key if you prefer not to rely on your Apple Account.
• Store that recovery key offline.

We still recommend creating and keeping the recovery key somewhere safe. Losing both your password and the key is an expensive way to learn the lesson. FileVault protects data at rest; it is not a substitute for a strong login password or good backup habits.

Enable the Firewall and Stealth Mode

The macOS firewall is switched off by default. Turn it on under System Settings > Network > Firewall, then open Options and enable Stealth Mode. This makes your Mac less responsive to unsolicited network probes.

For most people, firewall + Stealth Mode is a sensible baseline. More restrictive options exist, but they can interfere with legitimate services such as file sharing.

One important distinction: the built-in firewall mainly handles incoming connections. It does not show you what apps are sending out. For that you will need a different tool (covered later).

Keep macOS and Security Responses Updated

Go to System Settings > General > Software Update, click the information button next to Automatic Updates, and make sure macOS updates and security responses are enabled. Also check Privacy & Security > Background Security Improvements and turn on automatic installation if available.

These smaller patches matter. Attackers regularly exploit known vulnerabilities, and installing the updates promptly is one of the highest-leverage things you can do. We would prioritize automatic security updates over adding another security app. A well-maintained Mac is a better starting point than a crowded menu bar.

Tune Safari’s Privacy Settings

Safari’s built-in protections are stronger than many people realize once they are properly configured:

• In Safari > Settings > Privacy, leave Prevent cross-site tracking on.
• Set Hide IP address to “from Trackers” (or “Trackers and Websites” if you use iCloud Private Relay).
• On the Advanced tab, set Advanced Tracking & Fingerprinting Protection to “in all browsing”.

Private Browsing is useful when you do not want local history saved, but it does not make you anonymous. Websites and services you sign into can still identify you.

Our recommendation is to start with these built-in controls before adding extensions. They are easy to overlook and provide a solid baseline without trusting another developer.

Swap Passwords for Passkeys Where Possible

Stolen credentials remain one of the most common ways accounts get compromised. Reducing that risk is straightforward:

• Open the Passwords app.
• Review any entries flagged as reused or compromised.
• Replace them with passkeys wherever a site offers the option.

Passkeys are now mainstream. The FIDO Alliance’s 2026 report estimated around 5 billion passkeys in use, with 75% of surveyed consumers having enabled at least one. Because a passkey is tied to the real website, a convincing phishing page cannot use it. Some accounts still allow password fallbacks, so the old risks have not disappeared entirely.

Apps that cover what macOS doesn’t

The built-in settings get you most of the way. A few third-party tools close the remaining gaps.

Tracker Blocker and DNS Filter

Safari’s protections limit cross-site tracking, but they do not remove every ad or tracking script. Ad blockers such as AdGuard, 1Blocker, Wipr, or uBlock Origin Lite give you more control inside Safari. By design, Safari’s rule-based content blockers do not see which pages you visit.

Content blockers only work in Safari. For broader, system-wide filtering, a DNS service such as NextDNS or AdGuard DNS is more useful. Both can be set up with a configuration profile or a small app in a couple of minutes. Coverage is not perfect — some apps use their own networking methods — but it catches a large amount of tracking that browser extensions miss. Check how your VPN handles DNS, because some VPNs will override a separately configured filter.

A Cross-Platform Password Manager

Apple’s Passwords app works well if you stay inside the Apple ecosystem. If you also use Windows or Android, a manager such as 1Password or NordPass makes syncing logins and passkeys across devices much easier and will flag breached credentials.

A VPN With a Kill Switch

A VPN encrypts traffic between your Mac and the VPN server. Look for an audited no-logs policy and a reliable kill switch. ExpressVPN‘s Mac app includes an Internet Kill Switch that is enabled by default and can be managed under Profile > Internet Kill Switch.

A kill switch is the feature we care about most on a Mac. It is the difference between “the VPN dropped” and “the VPN dropped and my traffic stayed private.”

Outbound Network Monitors

The built-in firewall only filters incoming connections. To see and control what apps are sending out, use LuLu (free and open source) or Little Snitch (paid). Both alert you when an application tries to make an outgoing connection and let you allow or block it. On macOS 27, use Little Snitch 6.5 or later if you choose the paid option.

Protect your privacy on different networks

Your Mac’s privacy settings matter wherever you connect, but the risks and useful precautions differ between a trusted home network, public Wi-Fi, and a phone hotspot.

Home Wi-Fi

Secure the router first: use WPA3 (or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode), change the default admin password, and keep the firmware updated. On your Mac, open System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details for your home network and turn on Limit IP Address Tracking.

Public Hotspots

Treat public Wi-Fi with caution. A simple set of habits goes a long way:

• Set Private Wi-Fi Address to Rotating.
• Switch AirDrop to Contacts Only.
• Connect the VPN immediately after logging into the captive portal.
• Choose Forget This Network when you leave.

Our practical rule is straightforward: use the network carefully, keep sharing services off when you do not need them, and never install anything just because a hotspot login page suggests it.

iPhone Personal Hotspot and Mobile Connections

An iPhone hotspot is usually preferable to unknown café Wi-Fi, especially over USB. Use a strong password and turn the hotspot off when you are finished. Your carrier can still see that your phone is connected and how much data is used. A VPN on the Mac encrypts the traffic beyond that point. Mobile proxies are a more specialized option and are rarely necessary for everyday privacy.

Privacy habits worth keeping

• Revisit app permissions after every major macOS update.
• Delete accounts you no longer use instead of just logging out.
• Use Hide My Email (and iCloud+ aliases) when you do not want to give your real address.
• Keep Personal Hotspot switched off when you are not using it.
• If you are at higher risk of targeted attacks, consider Lockdown Mode under Privacy & Security. It hardens the system significantly but also breaks some everyday features, so most people do not need it.

A more private Mac without making it hard to use

Protecting your privacy does not mean installing every security app or turning off every permission. Start with the basics: review app access, enable FileVault and the firewall, keep macOS updated, strengthen your accounts, and turn on Safari’s tracking protections.

Then add a content blocker if you want fewer ads and trackers in the browser. DNS filtering and an outbound network monitor are logical next steps if you want broader visibility and control. A VPN belongs in the setup when you have a specific reason to use one — usually untrusted networks.

If we were setting up a Mac from scratch tomorrow, that is the order we would follow. The goal is not perfect anonymity. It is to share less by default, understand which companies and apps you actually trust, and make deliberate choices when software asks for access.

<p>The post How to Protect Online Privacy on a Mac: Settings & Apps first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

Modern macOS handles a lot of maintenance quietly in the background, but it still doesn’t show clearly what’s taking space, what’s safe to remove, or what’s better left alone. At the same time, AI coding agents and local models are creating new kinds of disk clutter that older cleaners weren’t built to handle carefully.

This guide reviews the best Mac cleaner apps we tested — from visual disk maps and all-in-one suites to safety-first and AI-aware tools — and helps you decide which approach fits your Mac.

TL;DR: Top Mac Cleaning Software At-a-Glance

• DaisyDisk – Best for understanding where your space went
• CleanMyMac – Best for comprehensive cleaning
• Sensei – Best for system monitoring and maintenance
• 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

Also notable in 2026: Mole (AI-agent disk cleanup) and Mint (safety-first cleanup) .

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 $9.95/mo per Mac. CleanMyMac also offers 15% 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 maintenance

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 $7.45 per month (billed annually), and it supports 3 Macs. 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.

AI-era Mac Cleaners Worth Watching

Traditional cleaners still handle everyday junk well. A newer group of tools is emerging to deal with AI coding agents, large model caches, and the question of what is actually safe to remove.

Mole — Best for careful cleanup of AI and developer clutter

Mole started as a free open-source CLI that gained a large following among developers. The paid native Mac app builds on that experience with a review-first approach aimed especially at people running tools like Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and local model runners.

What stands out is how deliberately it separates what can be rebuilt from what should not be touched. Regenerable items (build output such as target, dist, DerivedData, many caches and logs) are easier to clear. Items that are expensive to recreate (package downloads, some support data) stay for review. Irreplaceable data — AI session histories, conversation media, local model stores, and similar paths — is protected by default and kept out of routine one-click cleanup.

Mole also emphasizes showing paths and sizes before anything is removed, prefers the Trash where practical, and stays quiet when you are not using it. The free CLI remains available and updated; the Mac app is a one-time purchase (typically $19 for two Macs, with lifetime updates).

Best for: Developers and power users who want careful cleanup of AI-agent and build clutter without aggressive “junk found” marketing.

Mint — Best for safe, clear cleanup (including AI storage)

Mint takes a different route. Instead of maximizing the amount of “junk” it can claim, it focuses on making categories obvious: what can be optimized without deleting, what is safe to clean, what is yours to decide, and what should be kept.

That model is especially useful when AI coding agents fill a Mac with conversation files, screenshots, caches, and worktrees. Mint can surface agent-related storage, offer non-destructive Optimize options where supported, and keep personal or uncertain items out of automatic cleanup. It also includes CLI and MCP support so agents can inspect storage under clear rules rather than acting on raw paths.

In our testing and in our interview with developer Yukun Gao, the consistent theme was trust over raw free-space numbers. Pricing is a one-time purchase (around $39.99) or a rent-to-own option, with a limited free tier.

Best for: Users who want clarity and safety first — including people dealing with AI-agent storage who prefer to understand what will happen before anything is removed.

Also read: Our full Mint review and Mint’s own guide on AI coding agent disk space on Mac.

Others for Consideration

These are tools we tested that did not make the main top picks, but still solve real jobs for some users.

• CCleaner Professional — A familiar, straightforward cleaner if you mainly want basic system and browser cleanup. Less Mac-specific depth than the tools above.
• MacCleaner Pro (Nektony) — A structured suite that bundles cleanup with a strong app cleaner & uninstaller, duplicate finder, and disk analysis. Worth a look if you want deeper leftover removal and prefer a multi-tool package over a single polished app.
• Disk Diet — A capable tool that automatically scans your Mac’s storage drive and cleans it by deleting all 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.
• MacBooster — An all-in-one maintenance suite with cleanup and optimization modules. More of a general toolkit than a specialist in any one area.

We keep this list short on purpose. The main recommendations above cover most everyday and power-user needs.

FAQs

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 resource hogging processes and shut them down.

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.

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.

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.

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 Storage settings plus a focused tool like App Cleaner & Uninstaller are enough.

When you do want deeper automation, clearer guidance, or ongoing maintenance — and you understand what is being changed — tools like CleanMyMac and Sensei still earn their place. Newer options such as Mole and Mint are worth watching if your priority is safer decision-making or cleaning up the clutter left by AI coding agents and developer tools.

Heavy all-in-one suites like MacKeeper add extras such as malware scanning and VPN features, but they also bring more complexity and privacy trade-offs.

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.

<p>The post Best Mac Cleaner Apps — Including Tools for AI Clutter first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

Here’s what’s worth checking right now:

Fluent – Native AI Assistant for macOS

Fluent is a context-aware AI assistant that works across your Mac apps. It can use Apple Intelligence, local models, or cloud models, and the latest version adds stronger memory, computer use, and AI “teammates.”

• Deal: 25% off with code BF2026 (until December 1)
• Basic (1 Mac) — was $49 → now $36.75

Claim the Fluent offer or read our review

Picmal – Convert, Compress & Edit Media Locally

Picmal handles images, video, audio, and PDFs entirely on your Mac — nothing is uploaded. Clean, private, and useful for everyday file work.

• Deal: 50% off with code BLACKFRIDAY
• Was $29 → now $14.50

Claim the Picmal offer or read our review

EaseUS – Up to 80% Off Mac Tools

EaseUS has opened its Black Friday Mega Sale with code BF2026 (valid through December 10, 2026). Several popular Mac utilities are heavily discounted:

• Partition Master Pro for Mac (disk & partition management)
  1-Year Plan: was $49.95 → now $14.98
• Data Recovery Wizard Pro for Mac (Recover lost or deleted files from any storage device)
  1-Year Plan: was $119.95 → now $59.97
• Todo Backup Home (Backup and protect your important data on Mac)
  Lifetime Upgrades: was $39.95 → now $11.98
• RecExperts (screen recording with audio/webcam)
  1-Year Plan: was $49.95 → now $14.98

Claim the EaseUS Black Friday offer

ExpressVPN – Fast & Secure VPN for Mac

Pre-Black Friday window: November 3–17, 2026 (broader timeline listed as October 21 – November 24). 24 Months + 4 Bonus Months:

• Basic: $2.99/month (80% off)
• Advanced: $4.19/month (75% off)
• Pro: $7.19/month (68% off)
  (Euro pricing also available at similar discount levels.)

Claim the ExpressVPN offer or read our review

NordPass – Simple & Secure Password Manager

A clean password manager that remembers complex passwords, auto-fills logins and forms, and lets you access everything from anywhere.

• Timeline: until December 9
• Individual: 2 years with 53% off + 3 extra months (from $1.39 / €1.39 / £1.09) or 1 year with 33% off (from $1.99)
• Family: 2 years with 58% off + 3 extra months (from $2.49 / €2.49 / £1.89) or 1 year with 38% off (from $3.69)

NordVPN is also on sale if you prefer it over ExpressVPN — both NordPass and NordVPN are from Nord Security. You can get up to 78% off + 3 extra months (from $3.49 / €3.49 / £2.69) on a 2-year plan.

Claim the NordPass offer

Parallels Desktop 27 – Run Windows on Your Mac

Parallels remains the go-to solution for running Windows (and Linux) on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Version 27 is current and authorized by Microsoft for Windows 11 on Apple silicon.

• Deal (November 2–23):
• 50% off Standard and Pro Editions with code PD50
• 35% off Business Edition with code PD35

Claim the Parallels Desktop offer or read our review

These early offers are already solid. We’ll keep updating this post as more Mac software deals appear closer to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Bookmark the page and check back — more will likely land in the coming weeks.

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

<p>The post Black Friday 2026 Came Early—These Mac App Deals Are Already Live first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

Choosing a video editor for YouTube isn’t just about finding the software with the most features. Some creators want to trim footage, add captions, and publish quickly. Others need precise color grading, multicamera editing, or a reliable way to turn long videos into Shorts.

We’ve organized our picks around these different workflows, from approachable desktop editors to professional tools and AI-assisted video apps. Most of the main recommendations work on macOS and Windows, with a few options designed for specific platforms or tasks.

TL;DR: The Best YouTube Video Editors at a Glance

• Movavi Video Editor: Best for quick YouTube editing.
• DaVinci Resolve: Best free editor for advanced control.
• Final Cut Pro: Best for Mac creators.
• Adobe Premiere: Best for professional workflows.
• CapCut: Best for YouTube Shorts.
• Filmora: Best for beginner-friendly creative editing.
• iMovie: Best free option for basic Mac editing.

AI editing tools: Descript is best for transcript-based editing, while OpusClip is useful for turning long videos into Shorts.

The Best Video Editors for YouTube

How We Evaluated These Video Editors: We looked at what matters when making YouTube videos: editing speed, ease of use, creative control, AI-assisted features, export options, and overall value. We also considered how well each editor fits different workflows, from quick edits and Shorts to longer, more demanding productions.

See our How We Choose Tools page for more about our editorial and testing standards.

Movavi Video Editor — Best for quick YouTube editing

If you’re putting out YouTube videos regularly, a lot of editing time disappears into small jobs: trimming clips, cleaning up rough footage, adding captions, and turning horizontal videos into Shorts.

The Video Editor from Movavi makes these everyday tasks relatively straightforward. It’s an intuitive desktop editor with customizable video templates, one-click AI tools, and hundreds of drag-and-drop effects. Rather than overwhelming you with professional controls, it focuses on helping you get from raw footage to a finished video quickly.

Why we recommend Movavi

The interface is easy to navigate, with the main editing tools grouped in a left-hand sidebar and the timeline taking up most of the workspace. You can preview clips and effects as you browse, without having to add everything to your project first. The timeline also supports frame-by-frame scrubbing as you move the playhead.

You can start from scratch or use Movavi Video Templates to get a head start. These customizable templates are built from pre-edited Blocks containing transitions, background music, and styled on-screen text. Drop in your own footage, adjust the elements, and you have a more polished starting point without building the entire video yourself.

If you prefer to edit manually, you can trim footage before adding it to the timeline, which is handy when working with longer recordings. From there, cutting, trimming, and rearranging clips are all straightforward.

Movavi’s one-click AI tools help with some of the more tedious work, including subtitles, footage cleanup, and removing unnecessary pauses. You can also reframe footage for vertical video, keeping the main subject in view when turning a regular YouTube video into a Short.

Once the edit is ready, exporting is equally simple, with options for different formats and aspect ratios. Movavi also maintains Movavi Ideas, a regularly updated tutorial hub with editing inspiration and how-to guides for the software.

Where Movavi falls short

Movavi’s simplicity comes with some limitations. The workspace offers less customization than professional editors, and it lacks advanced features such as multicamera editing and professional color scopes.

It’s also a desktop-only editor, without a browser-based cloud workflow for moving projects between devices. And while the Full version includes some templates and effects, the complete Movavi Effects and Movavi Templates collections require optional subscriptions.

Pricing and availability

Movavi Video Editor is available for macOS and Windows, with native Apple silicon support.

The free version lets you explore the editor, but exported videos have a watermark and a length restriction. Movavi Video Editor Lite provides most core editing tools and effects with a smaller watermark. The Full version removes the watermark and export-length restriction and includes the complete set of one-click AI tools.

Movavi Effects and Movavi Templates are optional add-on subscriptions. Some templates are already included with the Full version, while the separate Templates subscription unlocks the complete Blocks-based collection.

Our verdict: Movavi Video Editor is a practical choice when editing speed matters more than having every professional tool available. Its combination of templates, straightforward timeline editing, and one-click AI assistance makes it particularly suitable for regular YouTube creators who want to spend less time on routine edits.

DaVinci Resolve — Best free editor for advanced control

If you want professional-level editing tools without paying for a subscription, DaVinci Resolve is one of the strongest options available. It combines editing, color grading, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in one application.

Its interface is more demanding than Movavi’s, but that complexity comes with considerably more control. You can start with straightforward cuts and transitions, then move into more sophisticated color work, audio mixing, and effects as your channel develops.

Why we recommend DaVinci Resolve

Resolve’s Edit and Cut pages support conventional timeline editing, while its Color page offers a powerful grading environment. Fairlight provides dedicated audio tools, and Fusion handles compositing and visual effects.

The free edition is a major reason to consider it. You can build a serious editing workflow without committing to a subscription or paying for the Studio upgrade immediately.

DaVinci Resolve 21, released in 2026, also introduces a Photo page for still-image editing and expands its AI-assisted capabilities. These developments reinforce Resolve’s position as a broader creative environment rather than simply a video trimmer.

Where DaVinci Resolve falls short

The learning curve is the main drawback. Its range of pages, panels, and controls can feel overwhelming if you only need to cut together a short video and add a few titles.

Some advanced AI tools and other features are reserved for DaVinci Resolve Studio, the paid edition. Hardware requirements also deserve attention: demanding effects and high-resolution footage can put considerable pressure on your Mac or PC.

Pricing and availability

DaVinci Resolve is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. The standard version is free. DaVinci Resolve Studio is a paid one-time upgrade, listed at $236 before any current promotions.

Our verdict: Start with Resolve if you want a powerful free editor and are willing to learn its workflow. It is a better long-term choice than a simpler editor if advanced color grading, audio, and effects matter to you.

Final Cut Pro — Best for Mac creators

Final Cut Pro is Apple’s professional video editor, designed around a workflow that feels at home on the Mac. For creators who record, edit, and publish regularly on Apple hardware, it offers a compelling balance of speed, control, and a well-integrated interface.

Why we recommend Final Cut Pro

The Magnetic Timeline helps organize edits without leaving unnecessary gaps, while its media organization, effects, audio tools, and multicamera features support projects beyond simple home videos.

Recent updates have made it more interesting for creators who work with a lot of spoken content. Final Cut Pro 12 introduced Transcript Search, which lets you search footage for spoken words or phrases, as well as Visual Search for finding moments based on what appears in the footage. Beat Detection can help synchronize edits to music.

Version 12.3 added Generate Captions and Auto Mask, while version 12.4, released in September 2026, includes further improvements and fixes. Some newer intelligence features require Apple silicon, and caption generation has had language and system requirements.

These features make Final Cut Pro more than a traditional timeline editor, although they don’t eliminate the need to review and refine your edit.

Where Final Cut Pro falls short

Final Cut Pro is exclusive to Apple’s platforms, and its Magnetic Timeline differs from the conventional track-based approach used by many other editors. Some creators love it; others prefer the more familiar arrangement of tracks and layers.

It is also a paid product, so it is worth comparing its current license options with the free edition of DaVinci Resolve before deciding.

Pricing and availability

Final Cut Pro is available for Mac through the Mac App Store as a one-time purchase for $299.99. It’s also included in Apple Creator Studio, which costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year in the US. The subscription includes additional creative apps, while some premium content is exclusive to the subscription version.

Our verdict: For Mac-first creators who publish regularly and want a capable editor without building their workflow around Adobe’s subscription ecosystem, Final Cut Pro deserves serious consideration.

Adobe Premiere — Best for professional workflows

Adobe Premiere is a professional video editor for creators who need advanced controls, collaboration options, and integration with other creative tools.

It is a strong fit for established YouTube channels, freelance editors, and teams producing videos alongside other Adobe projects. It can also make sense if you regularly exchange projects with people who already use Premiere.

Why we recommend Adobe Premiere

Premiere supports detailed timeline editing, effects, color adjustments, audio work, captions, and a broad range of production workflows.

Its recent updates show how AI is becoming part of conventional editing rather than a separate category. Premiere 26.5 introduced features including Paper Edit, which can construct sequences from selected transcript lines, and a Generative Media Tool for adding generated video and sound effects directly to a timeline. Other recent releases have improved transcription, masking, and footage handling.

These tools can reduce repetitive work, but the application remains a full-featured editor. You still need to make editorial decisions, review generated material, and refine the final sequence.

Where Adobe Premiere falls short

The subscription model is the main consideration. If you only publish occasional videos, paying regularly for a professional suite may be unnecessary.

Premiere also offers far more controls than a casual creator needs. If your workflow is mostly trimming clips, adding captions, and publishing Shorts, Movavi or CapCut may be quicker to learn.

Pricing and availability

Adobe Premiere is available for macOS and Windows. In the US, the individual Premiere plan starts at $22.99 per month with an annual commitment, billed monthly. A seven-day free trial is available. Premiere is also included in eligible Creative Cloud plans.

Our verdict: Choose Premiere when professional flexibility, collaboration, and integration with other creative applications justify the cost and complexity.

CapCut — Best for shorts and social videos

CapCut is designed around fast, accessible video creation, making it particularly appealing to creators who publish YouTube Shorts alongside content for TikTok and Instagram.

Rather than starting with the depth of a traditional professional editor, CapCut emphasizes accessibility and quick visual results. Its desktop editor can also be used for conventional timeline editing.

Why we recommend CapCut

CapCut’s appeal is the number of common social-video tasks it brings together. Depending on the platform, version, and plan, its toolset can include automatic captions, text and effects, templates, background removal, reframing, and other AI-assisted functions.

For a creator who records a longer video and needs to produce several short clips, these tools can speed up the finishing process. The desktop version is worth considering if you prefer to edit with a keyboard, larger preview, and conventional timeline rather than doing everything on a phone.

Where CapCut falls short

The availability of features, templates, and AI tools can vary by region, platform, and subscription tier. A feature that appears in one version may not be included in another, and free access should not be assumed to cover every export or effect.

CapCut is also less compelling if your priority is detailed color grading, complex audio post-production, or a highly customizable professional workflow.

Pricing and availability

CapCut offers desktop, mobile, and web-based editing options. It has a free tier and a paid Pro plan. Its US pricing and feature availability can change, so check the current plan details before subscribing.

Our verdict: CapCut is a practical choice if YouTube Shorts and social videos make up a significant part of your publishing schedule. For traditional, longer YouTube productions, we’d choose a more full-featured editor.

Filmora — Best for approachable creative editing

Filmora occupies the middle ground between basic editors and professional suites. It is designed for creators who want more effects, transitions, titles, and creative options without facing the learning curve of a tool like DaVinci Resolve.

Why we recommend Filmora

Filmora combines a conventional timeline with a library of visual effects, titles, transitions, and other creative assets. It also offers AI-assisted tools intended to simplify editing tasks and speed up production.

For YouTube creators who want to make tutorials, vlogs, product videos, or gaming content look more polished, the combination of templates and accessible editing controls can be useful.

Filmora continues to receive regular updates, and its current release information should be consulted before buying rather than relying on older feature descriptions.

Where Filmora falls short

The trade-off is that some advanced workflows remain better suited to professional applications. It is also important to distinguish features included in the main application from paid creative assets or other subscription-based offerings.

If you only need simple cuts and titles, iMovie may be enough. If you want deeper control over color, effects, and audio, DaVinci Resolve is worth trying first.

Pricing and availability

Filmora is available for macOS and Windows. It offers subscription and perpetual-license options, with different features and AI-credit allowances depending on the plan. The free version lets you try the editor but exports with a watermark. Check Wondershare’s current pricing page for the latest plan details.

Our verdict: Filmora is a good middle ground for creators who want an easy editor with plenty of creative options. Compared with Movavi, we’d lean toward Movavi for quick, routine edits and Filmora for users who want to experiment more with effects, templates, and visual styles.

iMovie — Best free option for basic Mac editing

Not everyone needs a large collection of AI features or a professional editing suite. If you’re using a Mac and want to put together straightforward YouTube videos, iMovie remains a sensible place to begin.

Why we recommend iMovie

iMovie handles the fundamentals: trimming clips, arranging footage, adding titles and transitions, adjusting audio, and exporting a finished video. Its familiar Apple-style interface makes it relatively approachable for people who have never used a timeline editor before.

For a simple tutorial, family video, or occasional vlog, that may be all you need. You can learn the basics of sequencing and pacing before deciding whether to move to Final Cut Pro or another advanced editor.

Where iMovie falls short

Its simplicity also limits what you can do. Creators who need elaborate effects, sophisticated color grading, extensive audio controls, or more advanced multicamera workflows will likely outgrow it.

It is also an Apple-platform option rather than a cross-platform solution.

Pricing and availability

iMovie is free from Apple and available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. The Mac version supports 4K editing on compatible hardware.

Our verdict: Try iMovie before paying for an editor. If it handles your workflow comfortably, there’s no reason to upgrade just to have more features.

AI Tools That Make YouTube Editing Faster

The editors above can handle a video from start to finish. The following tools focus on specific jobs where AI can reduce repetitive work, particularly when you’re working with speech-heavy footage or repurposing existing videos.

You don’t necessarily need a separate AI tool if your main editor already does the job well. Consider these options when they solve a particular bottleneck in your workflow.

Descript — Best for talking-head videos and interviews

Descript approaches editing from the transcript outward. It transcribes a recording so you can edit the spoken content by changing the text, making it particularly useful for interviews, podcasts, explainers, and talking-head videos.

What makes Descript different?

Instead of hunting through a long timeline to find a sentence, you can search the transcript and remove or rearrange the corresponding footage. Its AI co-editor, Underlord, can help with tasks such as removing filler words, selecting takes, assembling scenes, and creating clips. Studio Sound can also help reduce background noise and echo in spoken audio.

Descript is therefore more than an automatic clipping tool: it offers a different way to edit content built around speech. Its newer integrations also extend some workflows to AI agents, although those capabilities are not necessary for ordinary editing.

Where it falls short

Transcript-based editing works best when speech drives the video. It is less natural for highly visual projects where music, action, timing, and frame-by-frame adjustments matter more than the words being spoken.

AI edits also need human review. Removing filler words or tightening a sentence can change its meaning, pacing, or tone if you accept every suggestion without checking the result.

Pricing and availability

Descript offers desktop and web-based workflows, with paid plans and usage limits that can change. Check Descript’s official features page for current capabilities and pricing.

Our verdict: If your channel features interviews, tutorials, commentary, or podcast-style videos, Descript can save time on transcription and dialogue editing. It is a complement to a conventional editor, not a universal replacement.

OpusClip — Best for turning long videos into shorts

OpusClip is designed for creators who already have long-form video and want to repurpose it into shorter clips. Instead of manually reviewing an entire recording to find potential highlights, you can use AI to identify candidate segments and prepare them for short-form platforms.

What makes OpusClip useful?

Its workflow focuses on finding potentially engaging moments, creating short clips, adding captions, and reframing footage for vertical formats. This is useful for channels that publish interviews, podcasts, webinars, educational videos, or long-form commentary and want to get more mileage from each recording.

It addresses a different problem from Movavi or Final Cut Pro: finding and packaging shorter pieces of existing content rather than editing every part of the original video from scratch.

Where it falls short

AI-selected highlights are only suggestions. A clip can be technically complete but still lack context, an effective hook, or a satisfying ending. Captions and reframing also need checking, especially when speakers overlap or important visual details sit near the edges of the frame.

If you only publish occasional videos, the extra subscription and another step in your workflow may not be worthwhile.

Pricing and availability

OpusClip is a web-based service with plans and processing limits that can change. Check OpusClip’s official website for current features and pricing.

Our verdict: OpusClip is worth exploring if you publish long videos regularly and want a repeatable workflow for producing Shorts. It is less useful if you rarely repurpose content or prefer to select every clip yourself.

Which YouTube Video Editor Should You Choose?

The easiest way to choose is to start with the work you need to do most often.

Do you need an AI video editor?
Not necessarily. AI tools are most useful for repetitive tasks such as generating captions, cleaning up audio, finding highlights, and reframing footage. A conventional editor is still essential for controlling pacing, storytelling, and the final result.

Is a free video editor enough for YouTube?
Yes. DaVinci Resolve offers extensive editing tools for free, while iMovie is enough for many basic Mac projects. Shotcut is another option if you want free, open-source software across macOS, Windows, and Linux.

More FAQs

What is the best video editor for YouTube beginners?
Movavi Video Editor is a good starting point if you want an approachable desktop workflow with templates and AI-assisted tools. iMovie is a sensible free choice for basic Mac editing, while Filmora offers another accessible option with creative effects.

What is the best free video editor for YouTube?
DaVinci Resolve is our first choice for creators who want advanced editing tools without paying upfront. iMovie is easier for simple Mac projects, and Shotcut is worth considering if you want free, open-source software that works across macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Is CapCut good for long YouTube videos?
CapCut can edit long videos, but its biggest appeal is quick editing, captions, templates, and social content. For complex long-form projects, compare its workflow with DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere.

Can AI edit an entire YouTube video for me?
AI tools can transcribe footage, remove some pauses, suggest edits, generate captions, and identify possible highlights. However, you should still review the result for accuracy, pacing, context, and visual continuity. AI assistance can reduce repetitive work, but it doesn’t guarantee a finished video that is ready to publish.

Should I buy a video editor or use a subscription?
It depends on how often you publish and which features you need. A one-time purchase may suit creators who want a stable desktop workflow, while a subscription can make sense when you rely on frequently updated services, cloud features, or a wider creative suite. Compare the actual licensing terms, upgrade policy, and extra asset costs rather than looking only at the advertised starting price.

TheSweetBits Take

The best YouTube editor is the one that fits the way you work. Movavi Video Editor is our pick for quick editing, DaVinci Resolve offers a powerful free starting point, and Final Cut Pro is a compelling choice for Mac creators. Premiere makes sense for more demanding professional workflows, while CapCut is particularly convenient for Shorts and social videos.

AI tools add another layer. Descript can speed up dialogue-heavy editing, and OpusClip can help turn long recordings into short clips. But you don’t need to adopt every new AI feature to make better videos.

Start with the editing tasks that consume the most time, choose software that handles them well, and upgrade only when your workflow demands more control.

* 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.

<p>The post The Best Video Editors for YouTube: Quick Edits, Pro Workflows, and AI Tools first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

This guide walks you through the safest recovery order: start with free built-in tools, then move to dedicated recovery software only if needed.

Key Takeaways

• Stop using the affected drive or SD card immediately.
• Try the free methods (Relocated Items, Photos Library Repair, iCloud check, Disk Utility First Aid).
• If those fail or the card is completely unreadable, use data recovery software and save the recovered files to a different drive.
• Once your photos are safe, reformat the SD card in-camera if needed and set up proper backups going forward.

We remind you that the single most important rule is simple: stop writing anything new to the affected drive or SD card. The longer you keep using it, the higher the chance the original photo data gets overwritten.

Quick Comparison of Recovery Approaches

Why Photos Disappear

After a macOS update

• The Photos library database (SQLite indexes inside Photos Library.photoslibrary) can become corrupted.
• User folders are sometimes moved to /Users/Shared/Relocated Items.
• iCloud Photos sync can temporarily pause or conflict with local files.

On an SD card

• macOS shows “The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer.”
• The card appears as RAW or unformatted.
• Files show as 0 KB or have grayed-out thumbnails.

In both cases the actual photo data often remains on the drive until it is overwritten.

Step 1: Try Free Built-in Methods First

These take only a few minutes and should be attempted before any 3rd-party recovery tool.

1. Check for Relocated Items

Open Finder and go to /Users/Shared/Relocated Items. macOS sometimes places files here after major updates.

2. Repair the Photos Library

• Quit the Photos app.
• Hold Option + Command while opening Photos.
• Choose Repair when prompted.

This rebuilds the library database and often restores missing photos.

3. Verify iCloud Photos

Go to System Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Photos and confirm “Sync this Mac” is turned on. Sometimes photos are still in iCloud but not downloaded locally.

4. For SD cards – basic checks

• In Finder, press Cmd + Shift + . to show hidden files (look for .Trash or similar folders).
• Open Disk Utility, select the SD card, and run First Aid.

From our experience, the free steps above solve a surprising number of cases—especially Photos Library database issues after an update. We always recommend trying them first before reaching for paid tools.

Step 2: When Free Methods Aren’t Enough

If the Photos library still shows nothing, the SD card remains unreadable, or First Aid cannot repair the volume, a dedicated data recovery tool is the next practical step. These tools scan the raw disk sectors and can find photos even when the file system is damaged.

One widely used option on Mac is EaseUS Data Recovery for Mac. It is relevant here because it supports the situations most common in this scenario:

• Deep scan that works on corrupted, RAW, or formatted volumes (APFS, HFS+, exFAT, FAT32)
• Native support for common photo formats (HEIC, JPG, PNG) and camera RAW files (CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, etc.)
• Full-size preview so you can verify image quality before recovering
• Ability to save recovered files to a different drive (important to avoid overwriting the original data)
• More details, read our full EaseUS Data Recovery review here.

How to recover photos with the software

1. Download and launch the app. Select the internal Mac drive or the connected SD card and start the scan.
2. When the scan finishes, switch to the Pictures category (or filter by HEIC/JPG/RAW extensions). Double-click any file to preview it at full size.
3. Select the photos you want, click Recover, and choose a different drive or external disk as the destination.

We remind you to recover the files to a completely different drive. Saving them back to the same SD card or Mac volume is one of the most common ways people accidentally overwrite the data they’re trying to save.

Best Practices to Prevent Future Loss

Before major macOS updates

• Make sure Time Machine has a recent backup, or create a full disk clone.
• Keep at least 20–25 GB of free space on your system drive.

When using SD cards

• Always eject the card properly in Finder before removing it.
• Format the card in the camera rather than on the Mac.
• Avoid shooting when the camera battery is critically low (incomplete writes are a common cause of corruption).

We’ve seen too many cases where a quick “just format it” decision made recovery much harder. We remind Mac users again: always eject SD cards properly and format them in the camera, not in Finder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are missing photos permanently deleted after a macOS update?
Usually no. The photo data typically remains on the drive; only the index or library database is damaged. Avoid writing new files to the drive so the original data is not overwritten.

Should I format an SD card that shows “Disk Not Readable”?
No — not yet. Formatting creates a new file system and makes recovery much harder. Scan and recover the photos first, then format the card in your camera for future use.

Can I recover photos from a corrupted SD card for free?
You can try the free built-in methods above. Most recovery software also offers a free scan and preview so you can see what is recoverable before deciding whether to purchase a license. Recovery limits in free versions vary by tool.

Does recovery software work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. Current versions of major Mac recovery tools, including EaseUS Data Recovery for Mac, support Apple Silicon (M-series) chips and recent macOS releases.

<p>The post How to Recover Lost Photos After a macOS Update or SD Card Corruption first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

macOS already includes a capable screenshot utility. You can capture a full screen, a window, a selected area, or a screen recording with a few keyboard shortcuts. But screenshots rarely end with the capture itself.

For instance, you may need to annotate a bug, extract text with OCR, capture an entire webpage, blur sensitive information, create a polished image for social media, or turn a software walkthrough into a presentable video.

That is where third-party screenshot apps come in handy.

At TheSweetBits, screenshots are part of our daily workflows, as we use them for software reviews, how-to guides, documentation, comparisons, and product research. We have tested more than 20 screenshot tools for Mac over the past 6 years, and the five below have stayed in our daily rotation.

TL;DR: our top picks

• CleanShot — Best overall for screenshots, annotation, OCR, sharing, and screen recording
• Xnapper — Best for beautiful, presentation-ready screenshots
• Shottr — Best for precise, lightweight screenshot work
• Snagit — Best for documentation-heavy workflows and professional tutorials
• macshot — Best free and open-source option

How we tested these Mac screenshot apps

We did not judge these apps only by their feature lists. Instead, we used them for the kinds of work we actually do at TheSweetBits: capturing app interfaces, preparing software tutorials, annotating screenshots, extracting text, documenting problems, and recording short demonstrations.

For each app, we looked at the workflow it is designed to serve — how quickly it gets from capture to usable output, how well its key features work in practice, and what gets in the way during everyday use. We also checked scrolling capture, annotation, OCR, recording, sharing, resource usage, and pricing, where applicable to the app.

All our tests were conducted on an M2 MacBook Air (8GB RAM) running macOS 27.0.1 Golden Gate, using the latest version of each app available in September 2026.

Read the full rundown of how we select tools to feature on TheSweetBits.

What is the best screenshot app for Mac right now?

CleanShot is our overall pick for the best screenshot tool for Mac right now. It combines screenshot capture, scrolling capture, OCR, annotation, sharing, and screen recording into a single workflow, making it the most versatile option for everyday Mac work.

Keep reading below to find out more about CleanShot, as well as our other top picks for the screenshot apps you can get.

1. CleanShot: Best overall

CleanShot remains our go-to for everyday Mac screenshots, covering everything from window and area captures to scrolling screenshots, OCR, annotation, and screen recording.

It’s also one of the picks we’ve seen actively updated around macOS 27 (Golden Gate), and CleanShot’s 4.8.9 release specifically included enhanced compatibility with Golden Gate. That makes it a particularly relevant choice for users moving to Apple’s latest macOS.

Why we keep using it

CleanShot is accessible through the menu bar and customizable keyboard shortcuts, from which you can capture:

• A selected area
• A specific window
• The entire screen
• A scrolling page or document
• A timed screenshot
• A screen recording
• Text through OCR

The capture interface feels close enough to macOS that it does not take long to become part of your muscle memory. At the same time, it offers much more control than the built-in Screenshot utility. It helps that CleanShot can take over the native ⌘⇧3 and ⌘⇧4 shortcuts, so we didn’t have to relearn anything.

For our work, the most useful part is often what happens immediately after capture.

For instance, the annotation tools cover most of what we need for software tutorials: arrows, shapes, text, highlights, blurring, redaction, and freehand drawing. Beyond that, the background tool is particularly useful when a plain screenshot needs to look more presentable in an article or social post.

CleanShot’s Quick Access Overlay also lets us preview the result, copy it, save it, open it for editing, or send it to the cloud without searching through Finder. That small interaction saves a surprising number of steps when producing screenshots in batches. We leaned on it heavily while preparing 15+ screenshots for a tutorial, and the available actions are customizable, too.

Beyond screenshots, CleanShot 5.0 has added something called Studio Mode and a new video editor, significantly expanding the app’s recording capabilities. With Studio Mode, you can turn a raw screen recording into a more polished video without immediately moving to another application. The editor adds features such as:

• Smart Zooms that follow cursor activity and emphasize important areas
• Trimming and basic video editing
• Cursor cleanup and cursor customization
• Keystroke overlays
• Motion blur
• Recording backgrounds
• Post-recording camera and presentation adjustments
• Hardware-accelerated export

In practice, this is useful for software walkthroughs, bug demonstrations, product updates, and tutorial clips. You can record a process, remove unwanted sections, improve the cursor presentation, emphasize an important part of the interface, and export the result from the same app.

What we like

• Excellent macOS integration
• Fast capture shortcuts
• Scrolling screenshots
• Strong annotation tools
• Useful OCR workflow
• Quick Access Overlay
• Convenient cloud sharing
• Studio Mode for short tutorials and demos
• Suitable for both screenshots and screen recordings

What could be better

• The number of features can feel excessive for occasional users
• Cloud and collaboration features require closer attention to the pricing tier
• Studio Mode is not a replacement for a dedicated video editor

Pricing

CleanShot Basic costs $35 for one Mac and includes one year of updates and 1GB of CleanShot Cloud storage. The app can also be obtained through Setapp. Meanwhile, CleanShot Pro ($10 per user/month, billed annually) is available for users who need more storage, branding, and collaboration features. For context, the one-time $35 is less than a single year of Snagit ($39/year), which is why we find CleanShot’s pricing reasonable.

Our take

CleanShot remains the most complete option for users who want a single dependable Mac capture utility, and version 5.0 makes it even more useful for short videos without changing the screenshot-first workflow that made us rely on it in the first place.

Also: read our full CleanShot review.

2. Xnapper — Best for beautiful screenshots

Xnapper is designed for people who want screenshots to look polished with as little manual adjustment as possible.

Where CleanShot focuses on the entire capture workflow, Xnapper focuses more heavily on the final appearance of the image. As a result, it is particularly useful for product screenshots, app announcements, tutorials, blog posts, and social media content.

What we noticed during testing

Xnapper is at its best when a screenshot needs to be turned into a presentable graphic.

Automatic balancing, backgrounds, spacing, and presets reduce the amount of design work required after capturing an image. Instead of manually adjusting margins, positioning, and presentation for every screenshot, you can establish a visual style and reuse it. On top of that, it packs a few features we couldn’t find on CleanShot, such as automatic redaction of sensitive information and one-click aspect-ratio presets.

We also found the annotation tools useful for preparing tutorial graphics, as highlights, shapes, text, and other markup tools make it possible to explain an interface without opening a separate image editor. We must also appreciate how snappy the tool is, as exports felt instant on our M2 MacBook Air, though we didn’t test it on older Macs.

Above all, Xnapper is especially convenient when preparing multiple screenshots that should share the same visual treatment.

Where it falls short

The main limitation for our workflow is sharing because, unlike CleanShot, Xnapper is not built around instant cloud uploads and shareable links. After all, it is primarily a screenshot-design tool, not a complete capture-and-collaboration system.

That is not necessarily a problem, though. If your main goal is to produce attractive screenshots locally, Xnapper’s focused approach is part of its appeal.

Pricing

Xnapper is free to use with a watermark, while paid licenses start at $29.99 for one Mac and include one year of updates. After that, you can keep using the last version you own or renew for another year of updates at a 40% discount.

Our take

Xnapper is a strong choice when the screenshot itself is the finished product, since it saves time by handling much of the visual cleanup that would otherwise require manual work.

Also: Read our full Xnapper review.

3. Shottr — Best for precision work

We do not use Shottr as our general-purpose screenshot tool. Instead, we use it when the screenshot needs closer inspection.

Shottr is a small, fast Mac utility that prioritizes precision over comprehensive coverage of every possible capture and collaboration feature. Shottr has also been updated for macOS 27, so the current release is a better fit for users who have already moved to Apple’s latest macOS.

Why it remains useful

Shottr includes tools that are particularly valuable for developers, designers, and people working with user interfaces:

• Pixel measurement
• Magnification
• Color picking
• Screen inspection
• Scrolling screenshots
• Screenshot annotation and OCR text extraction

During testing, the pixel ruler and magnifier were the features we reached for most often, since they make it easy to inspect spacing, compare interface elements, measure distances, or identify a precise color value without opening a design application.

Shottr is also notably lightweight: the app itself is only around 2.3 MB in the version we tested, though application size alone does not tell the whole story about resource usage.

Its scrolling capture is another useful feature, since, like CleanShot, it captures content that extends beyond the visible screen, making it suitable for long webpages and documents.

Where it fits best

Shottr is particularly well suited to:

• UI and web development
• Design review
• Technical documentation
• Pixel measurement
• Color inspection
• Quick, lightweight captures

That said, it is less suitable if you need extensive cloud sharing, a full video workflow, or a large library of presentation templates.

Pricing

Shottr is free for as long as you want, but you can get the paid version ($12 one-time purchase) to remove the periodic upgrade prompts that appear after the initial 30-day free period. A paid license is also required for commercial use.

Our take

Shottr is the app to keep nearby when a screenshot needs measurement, magnification, or technical inspection. It is not the broadest tool here, but that focus is exactly why it remains useful.

4. Snagit: Best for documentation teams

Snagit is more than a screenshot utility, as it is designed around the process of turning captures into explanations.

That distinction matters if you regularly create documentation, support materials, tutorials, or internal training guides.

Why teams may prefer it

Snagit is a strong fit when several people need to create or maintain visual instructions.
For example, a support team may need to:

• Capture a workflow
• Highlight the relevant controls
• Add numbered steps
• Record a short explanation
• Reuse the same visual style across documents
• Store and locate the resulting captures later

Snagit is particularly useful when a screenshot is only the beginning of a larger documentation task.

Its AI-powered Step Capture is the feature we found most useful for documentation. Instead of stopping to take a screenshot at every step, you perform the workflow, and Snagit automatically builds a numbered visual guide from your clicks. When we used it to document a 12-step settings walkthrough, it picked up every click, though we still rewrote a few of the auto-generated step descriptions.

On top of that, Scrolling Capture lets Snagit capture content beyond the visible screen, including long webpages, documents, and spreadsheets.

Snagit also supports screen recording, audio, animated GIFs, and a range of sharing and integration options, and it can send recordings directly to Camtasia Editor for more advanced timeline editing.

Why choose it over CleanShot?

CleanShot feels faster and more natural for everyday Mac capture. Snagit makes more sense when the workflow involves repeatable documentation, structured tutorials, templates, and team-oriented content.

In other words: CleanShot is a strong everyday capture tool. Snagit is more deliberately built around documentation production.

Pricing

Snagit starts at $39.99 per year, with education and business options available. Check the current TechSmith pricing page before purchasing.

Our take

Snagit is worth considering when screenshots are part of a larger documentation or training workflow. It is less about taking the fastest possible screenshot and more about producing reusable instructional content.

5. macshot — Best free and open-source option

macshot is one of the more interesting free screenshot projects we have tested recently. In fact, it challenges the assumption that a capable Mac screenshot utility requires a commercial license or subscription.

The app combines scrolling screenshots, OCR, annotation, and screen recording in a relatively straightforward interface.

What we tested

During our testing, scrolling captures worked reliably on most webpages, though pages with sticky headers or infinite scroll tripped it up. OCR and translation were also useful for extracting text from an image without switching to another application.

The interface is clean and relatively easy to understand. It does not attempt to reproduce every feature found in a mature commercial application, but it covers many of the tasks people perform most often:

• Capturing selected areas and screens
• Capturing long webpages
• Extracting text with OCR
• Annotating screenshots
• Recording the screen

What it does not replace yet

macshot is promising, but we would not describe it as a complete replacement for CleanShot or Snagit in every workflow.

It does not offer the same depth of cloud sharing, capture history, presentation controls, or a mature post-capture workflow as some paid tools. Still, its strongest appeal is that it provides a useful set of features without asking users to buy a license.

Pricing

macshot is free and open source, with downloads available through the developer’s GitHub repository.

Our take

macshot is a compelling option for students, developers, and anyone who wants a capable screenshot utility without a subscription or commercial license. The most interesting question is not whether it replaces every premium tool, but how much of the everyday screenshot workflow it can already handle for free.

Other tools worth considering

The five apps above cover most of the workflows we care about, but they are not the only options worth exploring. We tested each of the tools below as well, but each either serves a narrower need or fell short in one area that kept it out of the main list.

Capto — Best for organizing screenshots and recording

Capto combines screenshots, screen recording, annotation, editing, and media organization in one Mac application.

It is particularly relevant for users who create tutorials, software demonstrations, presentations, or instructional material and want to keep their captures and recordings organized in one place.

The built-in editor supports annotations, callouts, highlights, and blur effects, and its content library is also useful if you regularly need to revisit older screenshots or recordings, rather than leaving everything scattered across Finder folders.

Pricing: Available as a one-time purchase and through Setapp. Check the current pricing before purchasing.

ScreenFloat — Best for reference-heavy workflows

ScreenFloat takes a different approach to screenshots. Instead of focusing primarily on saving or sharing an image, it lets you keep a capture floating above other windows.

That makes it useful when you need to refer to something while working:

• A design reference while coding
• A screenshot while writing documentation
• A diagram while working in another application
• A set of instructions while completing a task

Put simply, ScreenFloat is less about replacing every feature in CleanShot and more about keeping useful visual information available without constantly switching windows.

Pricing: Available as a one-time purchase and through Setapp. Check the developer’s current pricing before purchasing.

Monosnap — Best for sharing-oriented workflows

Monosnap combines screenshots, annotations, screen recording, and sharing features, so it is worth considering if your workflow regularly involves sending screenshots to colleagues or clients.

The annotation tools cover common needs such as blurring, highlighting, shapes, and text. You can also move captures into another image editor when you need more advanced control.

Beyond individual use, Monosnap’s business and enterprise features may be useful for teams that need shared workflows, custom sharing, or additional administration controls.

Pricing: A limited free version is available, with paid plans for additional features and commercial use.

Snapzy — Free open-source screenshot tool

Snapzy is a free, open-source Mac screenshot and screen recording app built as a capable alternative to paid tools like CleanShot.

It covers area, window, and fullscreen capture, scrolling screenshots, OCR, annotation, screen recording (video and GIF), subject cutout with background removal, and optional cloud upload via your own S3 or Cloudflare R2 storage. Everything runs on-device, with no telemetry or account required.

In our quick testing, Snapzy overlaps with macshot as a free open-source option, but puts more emphasis on screen recording, subject cutout, and optional S3/R2 uploads.

Pricing: Free forever. Optional donations support development.

Which Mac screenshot app should you use?

* 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.

More questions

Does Mac have a tool like Snipping tool?

Yes. macOS has a built-in Screenshot utility that works much like Snipping tool, letting you capture the entire screen, a window, or a selected area, as well as record the screen. Press Shift-Command-5 to open it, or use Shift-Command-3 and Shift-Command-4 for quick captures.

What is the best way to screenshot on a Mac?

For occasional screenshots, macOS’s built-in Screenshot utility is the simplest option. If you take screenshots regularly, we prefer CleanShot because it combines capture, scrolling screenshots, annotation, OCR, sharing, and screen recording in one workflow.

What’s the best fully free screenshot tool for Mac?

For basic screenshots, macOS Screenshot is the best fully free option because it is built into the system and requires no additional software. Among third-party tools, macshot is our free and open-source pick, offering scrolling capture, OCR, annotation, and screen recording without a subscription or license fee.

Is Lightshot still working on Mac?

Lightshot still appears as a free download on the Mac App Store, but it has not been meaningfully updated since July 2019. The current Mac build is Intel-only, so Apple silicon Macs run it through Rosetta. That matters more now: Apple has said Rosetta support for Intel apps ends after macOS 27, which means Lightshot is unlikely to remain a dependable long-term option on newer Macs. For everyday screenshots, macOS’s built-in tools or a current alternative like Shottr are safer choices.

Are free screenshot tools safe to use?

Free screenshot tools can be safe, but we recommend downloading them from the developer’s official website, the Mac App Store, or a reputable open-source repository and checking that they are actively maintained.

Keep learning

• How to Take a Screenshot on Mac?
• How to Capture Full-Page Scrolling Screenshots on Mac?
• Cleanshot vs. Xnapper
• CleanShot vs Shottr
• More Mac Screenshot-related Tips

<p>The post The Best Screenshot Tools for Mac (Paid & Free) first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

That approach comes from Yukun Gao of DZG Studio, a former data scientist who built Mint after getting tired of sorting thousands of files with no practical way to decide what still mattered. After reviewing the app, we spoke with Yukun about Mint’s design choices, AI agent clutter, and why trust matters more than free space.

TheSweetBits: What frustration with existing Mac cleaners made you decide to build Mint instead of just using—or complaining about—the alternatives?

Yukun: “I’ve always appreciated things that are simple and end in an action. Before Mint I was a data scientist, and to me data and models matter most when they turn into something you can act on.

Looking at my own disk, there was simply too much to take in: thousands of files, and no easy way to know what each one was or whether it still mattered. Working that out myself took a lot of time.

So I wanted Mint to be clear and safe, the two things you picked up on in your review: clearly actionable, without too many technical details. It’s the balance I’ve found so far. There may be better ones later, but it’s the product I want to build today.

Talking with users, I kept hearing one thing: “Knowing I won’t delete the wrong thing matters more to me than how much space I get back.” That made me step back. Deleting is only one lever. What other levers can give a Mac its space back? That question became a series of experiments, and the ones that worked became treatments: first Optimize, space back without deleting anything; then what’s safe to clean; then what’s yours to decide.

Some complexity is unavoidable. When it is, I’d rather solve it systematically, so it doesn’t land on you. That’s what all those experiments are for.

Organizing came from the same place. Opening your Mac shouldn’t start with half an hour of cleanup. Mint takes care of that, so you go straight to the work.”

How do you decide the boundary between “Safe to clean” and “Yours”? What’s the hardest type of file or folder to classify correctly?

“Nothing is Safe to clean because a rule says so. We study each kind of file on real Macs, including what happens after it’s removed. A label has to be proven, not assumed. If Mint can’t prove it, it doesn’t guess: the item goes to Yours, where you decide.

The hardest cases are files that are technically safe and still not worth deleting. On my own Mac, Mint deleted the same node_modules folder 11 times in three days, and it came back every time. Nothing was lost, and nothing was gained. We caught it in Mint’s own records, fixed it, and wrote it up publicly.

Many rules take dozens of hours of research before they ship, some well over a hundred.”

Mint lets AI agents interact with storage through its CLI and MCP server. How do you make agent-driven file operations safe, and what should users still be responsible for?

“Mint is the brain; the agent is the hand.

We’ve all seen the posts: an agent wiped someone’s files, or a worktree with unsaved work. The agent wasn’t careless. It lacked context, and context is what Mint has.

So an agent can ask Mint anything, but it acts only through Mint’s checks. It works from a plan Mint made, never from a raw path, and the plan expires in 15 minutes. Mint checks each item again before it moves. Agents can only move items to the Trash, only what Mint rated safe, and never delete permanently. Anything that needs a judgment call comes back to a person. We even tell the agent: a plan is not user consent.

What stays with users: Mint only guards what goes through Mint, so your agent’s own permissions still matter. And what’s worth keeping is always your call.”

Also, AI coding agents are creating a new kind of storage problem. What have you learned from observing how tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex use disk space?

“Two things: the pictures, and the leftovers.

Agents check their work by looking at it, and every screenshot is saved in the conversation. On my Mac, one Codex store was 22.83 GB, and 71% of it was images, many of them the same screenshot again and again. 92% of those repeats were in conversations used in the past six days, so deleting old chats barely helped.

The leftovers are harder. The agent can’t decide for you, and you often don’t know what it left behind. It’s like a middle schooler asking a high schooler to cook dinner: dinner’s great, everyone’s happy, and nobody mentions the kitchen.

AI produces output faster than anyone can review it, so “delete this, delete that” won’t keep up. In the long run we need a systematic way to evaluate and solve for what agents produce and leave behind.”

Who is the ideal Mint user right now — power users with messy Downloads folders, people running lots of AI tools, or someone else?

“Two kinds of people. Mac power users who push their Mac every day, especially developers and anyone running AI tools. And anyone whose Mac is a year or two in, technical or not: take a look, there’s usually something to gain. With Optimize alone, many of our friends got a decent amount of space back without deleting anything.”

Is there a lesser-known or “hidden” part of Mint that you wish more people discovered?

“Auto Care, and the idea behind it.

People think of it as “do the chore on a schedule.” I think of it as renovating a home. What matters isn’t the area on paper; it’s how much of it you can actually live in. A Mac is the same. Optimize raises that usable share without taking anything away, and Auto Care keeps it there every day while the Mac is idle.

The other one is Memory. Mint shows at a glance which apps sit idle holding memory. Friends open it and say, “I had no idea that app used so much.” That’s often why their Mac stalled.

Next, I’d like to build a community around Mint, where people share what they find.”

Outside of Mint, what’s something you’re building or exploring that people might not expect?

“Mint keeps me more than busy for now. I’ve explored voice, though there are good open-source options there already. What I keep coming back to is workflow: tools that take friction out of the day. When something new is ready, it’ll be at DZG Studio first.”

Closing thoughts

Yukun’s answers reinforce what stood out in our own testing: Mint is less interested in dramatic cleanup totals than in decisions users can trust. The four-category model, the cautious approach to “Safe to clean,” and the agent safety rules all point in the same direction — reclaim space without turning cleanup into a gamble.

The AI angle is especially timely. As tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex become part of daily Mac work, they also create a new class of storage problems: repeated screenshots, abandoned worktrees, and leftovers users may not even know exist. Mint’s CLI and MCP support are an early attempt to give agents better context while keeping irreversible actions out of their hands.

If you want a Mac cleaner that prioritizes clarity over aggressive deletion, Mint is worth a closer look. You can learn more at mintstorage.app, and follow other work from the studio at dzgapp.com.

Also read: Our full Mint review

<p>The post Mint’s Developer on Safe Mac Cleanup — and Why Trust Beats “Junk Found” first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

Quick answer: Keep your Mac plugged in and on a reliable network while Spotlight, Photos, and iCloud finish their background work. Install the latest macOS and app updates, check Activity Monitor, free up some storage, and review Login Items & Extensions. Skip deleting system caches or erasing the Mac until you’ve tried the simpler steps.

A Mac often feels slower right after installing macOS 27 Golden Gate. Fans spin up more, battery drains faster, apps take longer to open, and the interface can lag for a day or two. In most cases this is temporary — Spotlight is reindexing, Photos is analyzing your library, and iCloud is catching up. If things haven’t settled after a couple of days, the steps below will help you find what’s actually causing the slowdown.

Before you start

• Back up your Mac. Use Time Machine or another reliable backup method before making bigger changes.
• Rule out hardware problems. If your Mac was already overheating, running with a nearly full SSD, or showing other hardware symptoms, software fixes alone may not help. Consider an Apple Store or authorized service provider for diagnostics.
• Check for incompatible software. Older security tools, menu-bar utilities, or apps that have not been updated for macOS 27 can cause ongoing slowdowns.
• Ensure good ventilation. Keep the Mac on a hard surface and avoid blocking vents, especially while background tasks are running.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Mac Backup

Quick and effective fixes

Work through these in order. Start simple and only move to the more involved steps if you need to.

1. Give your Mac time

The first several hours after installing Golden Gate are often the busiest. Leave the Mac plugged in and connected to the internet, and try not to pile on heavy work right away.

Open Activity Monitor (Applications → Utilities, or just search for it with Spotlight). On the CPU tab you’ll often see processes like mds_stores, mdworker, or photoanalysisd near the top. That’s usually Spotlight or Photos still working through the upgrade. How long it takes depends on the size of your drive, your Photos library, free space, and network speed. When those processes calm down and the Mac starts feeling normal again, you’re done.

Related: In Depth Guide to Mac Activity Monitor

2. Restart your Mac

A simple restart clears temporary processes and lets the system finish anything that got stuck. Choose Apple menu → Restart, wait for it to fully start up, then use it normally for a few minutes. If it’s still slow, move on instead of restarting over and over.

3. Install the latest updates

Install macOS 27.0.1 (or whatever the newest update is) before digging deeper.

• Go to System Settings → General → Software Update and install available macOS updates.
• Open the App Store → Updates and install everything pending.
• Update non-App Store apps from the developer’s own updater or website.

Pay special attention to VPN clients, antivirus tools, cloud-storage apps, menu-bar utilities, backup software, and display or audio drivers. These run in the background and are frequent sources of post-update slowdowns.

4. Check what is actually slow

Open Activity Monitor and look at what’s really using resources instead of guessing.

• CPU: Sort by % CPU. Look for apps or processes that stay near the top when you are not actively using them.
• Memory: Check the Memory Pressure graph. Consistently yellow or red means too many apps or browser tabs are competing for memory.
• Disk: Use the Disk tab if the Mac beachballs or takes a long time to open files.
• Network: Check the Network tab if cloud syncing or remote files feel slow.

We usually leave Activity Monitor open for a few minutes while the Mac is idle — short spikes don’t mean much. Only quit apps you recognize and don’t need. Avoid force-quitting unfamiliar Apple system processes just because they’re temporarily busy.

5. Free up storage space

Low free space makes updates, virtual memory, app launches, and background work feel slower.

• Open System Settings → General → Storage.
• Review large categories such as Applications, Documents, Downloads, and Bin.
• Remove old installers, duplicate downloads, unused apps, and large files you no longer need.
• Empty the Bin.
• Move big media libraries or archives to external storage if needed.

Apple doesn’t publish one magic free-space number. As a practical target, try to keep roughly 15–20% of the startup drive free, especially on smaller SSDs.

Also: How to Reclaim System Data on Mac

6. Reduce login items and background activity

This is one of the first places we look when a Mac feels slow right after login. Too many apps launching at startup is one of the most common causes.

• Go to System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions.
• Under Open at Login, remove anything that does not need to start automatically.
• Under Allow in the Background, disable nonessential utilities one at a time.

We suggest starting with recently installed or updated tools. If turning one off solves the problem, check whether the developer has a Golden Gate-compatible update.

7. Let Spotlight finish — rebuild only if necessary

Spotlight indexing uses CPU and disk after a major upgrade. Give it time first.
If search is still incomplete or broken after several days, rebuild the index:

• Open System Settings → Spotlight.
• Open Spotlight Privacy.
• Add your startup disk (or the affected folder) to the list.
• Wait a moment, then remove it.

This forces a reindex. Use it only when search problems persist — not as a routine speed fix.

8. Check iCloud Drive and Photos activity

Major upgrades often trigger iCloud Drive syncing and Photos library analysis. Let these finish while the Mac is plugged in and on a good network.

Open Photos, select Library → All Photos, and scroll to the bottom of the window to check the sync status. If uploads are creating an immediate problem, you can pause them for one day. Avoid turning iCloud Photos off completely just to speed things up — that can restart or complicate syncing later.

9. Reduce visual effects

Liquid Glass looks polished, but the transparency and motion effects can add overhead on lower-memory Macs or under heavy load.

• Open System Settings → Accessibility → Display.
• Turn on Reduce transparency.
• Turn on Reduce motion.

This won’t fix high CPU use or low storage, but it can make the interface feel lighter and more responsive.

10. Disconnect nonessential accessories

External drives, docks, displays, hubs, audio interfaces, and older peripherals can cause delays if their software isn’t fully compatible.

Shut down the Mac, disconnect nonessential accessories, then start up with only power, keyboard, mouse/trackpad, and display connected. Test performance. If the problem disappears, reconnect devices one at a time and update their firmware or related software.

Note: Before disconnecting an external drive, eject it in Finder first. Never unplug a drive while files are being copied or an app is using it.

11. Clear app caches carefully

Cache clearing should not be an early step. Use it only when one specific app is slow, crashes, or behaves oddly after the update.

• Quit the affected app.
• In Finder choose Go → Go to Folder and enter ~/Library/Caches.
• Open the folder for that app and delete its contents (not the entire Caches folder).
• Restart and test the app.

Do not delete unfamiliar files from system-level cache folders. If you’re not sure which folder belongs to the app, skip this step. We only reach for this when one specific app is misbehaving — not as a general speed fix.

12. Test in safe mode

Safe Mode loads only essential system software and prevents many third-party items from launching. If the Mac is fast in Safe Mode but slow in normal mode, a login item, extension, or background utility is likely the cause.

On an Apple silicon Mac:

• Shut down.
• Press and hold the power button until startup options appear.
• Select your startup disk, hold the Shift key, and click Continue in Safe Mode.
• Sign in, test performance, then restart normally.

If Safe Mode helps, return to Login Items & Extensions and disable background items in small groups until you find the culprit.

13. Reinstall macOS before erasing anything

If the Mac is still slow after updates, storage checks, background app reviews, disconnecting peripherals, and Safe Mode testing, consider reinstalling macOS from Recovery.

Reinstalling from Recovery is designed to replace the operating system without intentionally erasing personal files. Still, create and verify a backup first. A full clean install is different — it requires erasing the startup disk and deletes user accounts, files, apps, and network settings.

Only erase the Mac after confirming your backup is complete and that you have the passwords, licenses, and installers you’ll need to set everything up again.

Remember: macOS 27 Golden Gate requires an Apple-silicon Mac. Intel Macs must remain on the newest macOS version Apple supports for the specific model.

When to contact Apple

Reach out to Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if:

• The Mac remains consistently slow after several days and the steps above.
• Activity Monitor shows high system resource use with no clear explanation.
• You see repeated kernel panics, startup failures, graphical problems, unexpected shutdowns, or unusual heat.
• Battery life stays severely reduced after background activity has settled.
• A critical app still fails after updating it and confirming Golden Gate compatibility.
• Hardware diagnostics point to a possible component issue.

Final thoughts

Golden Gate includes real responsiveness improvements, but how it feels on your Mac depends on the model, installed software, free storage, connected accessories, and what you’re doing at the moment. Many post-update slowdowns simply improve once background processing finishes and incompatible software gets updated. If the problem sticks around, use Activity Monitor to document what’s happening and contact Apple Support or an authorized service provider.

Read also

• How to Fix macOS Battery Drain
• Why Is Your Mac Browser Running Slowly
• How to Fix ‘Your System Has Run Out of Application Memory’ on Mac
• How to Clear System Data Storage on Mac
• How CleanMyMac Helped Me Revive My Mac

<p>The post How to Fix a Slow Mac After Updating to macOS 27 Golden Gate first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>