Is your Mac slowing down, frequently freezing, regularly running out of RAM or just not behaving like it used to? Are you short of space on your Mac? Have you spotted the immense amount of room taken up by System Data and are now looking for a safe way to delete some of that data? What you need is a Mac cleaner app that will delete the clutter and digital debris from your system and free your RAM from memory hogs.

How to choose the best Mac Cleaner

Choosing the best Mac cleaner comes down to your needs, budget, and comfort level with system tools. Some users simply want to reclaim disk space, while others are looking for deeper performance optimization, malware protection, or powerful uninstall features.

If your goal is a quick, inexpensive way to free up space, perhaps to install the latest version of macOS, a simple, low-cost option may be all you need. But if you want more than just storage cleanup, including memory management, system diagnostics, and virus checks, there are several fully featured tools worth considering below.

Later in this article we discuss how we test Mac cleaning software and run through a checklist of things you should do before running a Mac cleaner. We also answer various questions about using a Mac cleaner.

PROMOTION

Make Your Mac Fly with CleanMyMac

CleanMyMac is the ultimate solution for a faster and cleaner Mac. It smartly identifies and removes junk, deletes unnecessary files, optimizes performance, and protects your Mac machine against common threats. Unleash your Mac’s full potential and enjoy a smoother experience with CleanMyMac.

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Best Mac Cleaner 2025

We like MacPaw’s CleanMyMac because there is the choice of a yearly subscription or a one time purchase price if you think you might want to keep it for the long haul. It’s also one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly Mac cleaners. Since our original roundup, CleanMyMac has added new features including a redesigned UI and expanded cleanup tools for cloud storage in 2025.

Another option we really like is Parallels Toolbox which offers a bundle of handy tools for just about everything. There are also some cheaper options including Cleaner One Pro and Nektony’s App Cleaner & Uninstaller and free options such as Onyx and CCleaner.

Ultimately, the best cleaner is one that fits your budget and requirements. For a comprehensive, all-in-one solution, CleanMyMac is a top contender, while Cleaner One Pro offers great value. For those who want deep, technical control, MacCleaner Pro is a strong choice.

Below you can read about the Mac Cleaners we have reviewed. Read on to find out why we rate these options so highly.

1. MacPaw CleanMyMac – The most comprehensive Mac cleaner

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Pros

• Improved interface and ease of use





• Wide range of cleaning tools





• Subscription or one-time purchase

Cons

• Limited malware features





• Some technical knowledge still needed

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MacPaw (first year, 1 device)

$47.40

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Why we like MacPaw CleanMyMac: This is consistently rated as one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly Mac cleaners. It simplifies the process of finding and removing junk files and offers a wide range of tools grouped into categories like Cleanup, Protection, Performance, Applications, and My Clutter.

Few cleanup apps are as comprehensive as CleanMyMac from MacPaw, which was updated to version 5.0 (and dropped the X from its name) in 2024. Version 5.0 brought a redesigned interface that simplifies things by displaying the results of its scans as a series of tiles that give you a quick summary of each scan. 

2025 updates to CleanMyMac introduced a bunch of new features and a change to the pricing structure, with a cheaper Basic version and a more expensive Plus version offered. The Basic version offers a limited set of features for less technically inclined users, while the Plus version offers the full range of features.

CleanMyMac’s tools fall into five main categories that focus on different tasks: Cleanup, Protection, Performance, Applications and My Clutter. A new Smart Care feature gives your Mac a quick check-up and summarises the result of its scans for all five categories.

The Cleanup tools focus on deleting junk. The Protection tools can scan for malware, detecting and quarantining threats. CleanMyMac isn’t a dedicated antivirus program like those featured in our Best Antivirus for Mac round-up, but it’s a nice addition.

The Performance tools help with routine maint

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