10 Best Mac Cleaners in 2024: Optimize Your Mac

Updated on: April 25, 2024
Fact Checked by Sam Boyd
Kamso Oguejiofor-Abugu Kamso Oguejiofor-Abugu
Updated on: April 25, 2024

Short on time? Here’s the best Mac cleaner in 2024:

  • 🥇 Intego. Premium macOS cleanup and optimization tools packaged alongside an excellent antivirus. Intego also provides top-notch malware detection, a firewall, parental controls, and more.

I spent weeks assessing most of the Mac cleaners on the market, testing their effectiveness, ease of use, and overall impact on my system’s performance. My goal wasn’t simply to find applications that remove temporary files and free up space — I was looking for apps with comprehensive tools that could significantly improve my Mac’s speed and overall efficiency.

Unfortunately, many Mac cleaners fall short. They offer basic cleanup functionality but lack advanced features like duplicate file finders and startup optimization. Some also suffer from cumbersome interfaces that make the cleanup process more of a chore than it needs to be.

After careful analysis, Intego emerged as the top Mac cleaner for 2024. With its powerful cleaning capabilities, user-friendly interface, and a suite of additional features, it delivers the best performance for your Mac. That said, there were several other programs that stood out in my research, too — some are comprehensive antivirus solutions with cleanup tools included and others are excellent standalone products. So, whether you’re seeking an all-in-one security and optimization solution or just something to complement your antivirus, I’m confident you’ll find the tool you need on this list.

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Quick summary of the best Mac cleaners

  • 🥇 1. Intego — Best overall Mac cleaner & optimizer in 2024 with excellent antivirus protection.
  • 🥈 2. TotalAV — Most user-friendly Mac cleaner in 2024 + a full suite of effective extra features.
  • 🥉 3. Norton — Contains great Mac cleanup and optimization tools and a powerful malware engine.
  • 4. Avira — Good range of tools for enhancing your Mac’s performance and keeping it safe.
  • 5. MacKeeper — Comes with beginner-friendly cleanup and security tools for Mac users.
  • Plus 6 more!

🥇 1. Intego — Best Overall Mac Cleaner & Optimizer in 2024

Approved by our experts
Intego
Approved by our experts
Most readers pick Intego
Malware detection rate
100%
Key Features
Mac system cleaner
Number of devices
Up to 5
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
intego.com

Intego is my favorite cleaner for Macs in 2024. It comes with a standout system cleaner and optimizer tool called Washing Machine. What’s more, it combines a pair of powerful engines, VirusBarrier and NetBarrier, to give comprehensive malware and web protection for Mac users.

Washing Machine is a powerful optimization tool. It provides 3 core functionalities: Reclaim, Duplicates, and Organize. The Reclaim feature scans your Mac for unused and old files, effectively decluttering your hard disk. It performed very well in my tests, significantly increasing available space on my MacBook. I also like the level of customization Reclaim offers, as I was able to select the type of junk files to scan for.

Duplicates, as the name suggests, gets rid of duplicate files hogging space on your hard drive. I like that you can choose which folders to scan (I sent it to work on my music and archive files). The scan took about a minute and detected over 150 duplicate files on my Mac.

Lastly, the Organize feature effortlessly sorts your files, apps, and folders, making your system cleaner and easier to navigate. It makes it simple to tidy up desktop screenshots, arrange files into folders, sort out apps in your Dock, and drag and drop files into the trash bin.

VirusBarrier is Intego’s malware scanner, and it’s great at detecting and removing malware. Beyond introducing security threats, malware can slow down your computer, too. During my tests, Intego detected all the malware samples on my MacBook, including trojans, adware, ransomware, bloatware, PUPs, and many other potentially harmful files. What’s more, I didn’t experience any system slowdown during the scans.

Intego also offers several other features that make it the best antivirus for Mac in 2024. Subscribing will get you excellent parental controls, a backup tool, a firewall (NetBarrier), and more.

Intego’s Mac Premium Bundle X9 offers a lot of value. At $34.99 / year, it comes with system clean-up tools, a powerful malware scanner, a firewall, data backup, and parental controls. But if you’re only interested in the system optimization tools and antivirus, Mac Internet Security X9 will do the trick for just $19.99 / year. All of Intego’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a risk-free choice.

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Bottom Line:

Intego stands out as the best Mac cleaner of 2024 thanks to its solid performance and exceptional set of features. It offers a great balance of protection, optimization, and value, making it the ideal choice for Mac users who want a cleaner and more organized system. Try Intego risk-free today with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Intego review

🥈2. TotalAV — Most Intuitive Mac Cleaner of 2024

Malware detection rate
99.60%
Key Features
Beginner-friendly apps
Number of devices
Up to 6
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
totalav.com

TotalAV is the most intuitive Mac cleaner of 2024. It’s user-friendly, super efficient, and an excellent choice overall for those who want a powerful yet straightforward Mac optimization tool.

TotalAV comes with lots of optimization tools, including:

  • Application uninstaller.
  • Junk cleaner.
  • Browser cleanup.
  • Startup manager.
  • Duplicate file finder.

It’s super easy to free up space on your Mac with TotalAV. The application uninstaller shows you an organized list of all programs on your system and gives you the option to remove every item. I was able to uninstall multiple applications at a time. Similarly, the junk cleaner is an easy way to rid your system of unnecessary files — it found nearly 1 GB of junk on my MacBook. I freed up even more space using the duplicate file finder.

The other optimization tools also work really well. Browser cleanup helps protect your privacy online by clearing your cookies. This frees up space while also preventing your browsers from storing your personal information. Similarly, the startup manager is intuitive and results in a quicker boot-up time.

TotalAV also features a powerful and lightweight malware scanner that can detect and remove all sorts of malware that could be slowing down your Mac, including viruses, PUPs, bloatware, and adware. It found over 99% of the malware I infected myself with. Being cloud-based, it’s constantly updated to protect against the latest threats, and it doesn’t slow down your system even during full-disk scans.

However, I was less than impressed that TotalAV doesn’t offer a firewall. Intego, on the other hand, has a great and highly customizable firewall for Mac, giving it a definite edge.

That said, TotalAV does offer some valuable extras, such as an unlimited-data VPN (the best antivirus-bundled VPN on the market) and a password manager. Customers in the US can also benefit from identity theft monitoring.

TotalAV’s Internet Security package is its best value plan. It goes for $39.00 / year, covers up to 5 devices, and offers a comprehensive suite of features including system tune-up and real-time malware detection. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.

Save 84% on TotalAV Antivirus Pro!
You can save 84% if you act right now.

Bottom Line:

TotalAV makes Mac cleanup and optimization a breeze thanks to its intuitive interface and effective system tune-up tools. Its impressive malware detection capabilities, coupled with additional security features, provide a well-rounded package for those looking for an all-in-one Mac optimization solution. TotalAV’s reasonable pricing and risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee make it an excellent choice for Mac users in 2024.

Read the full TotalAV review

🥉3. Norton 360 — Effective Cleaning Tools & Impressive Malware Protection

Malware detection rate
100%
Key Features
AI-based scanner & VPN
Number of devices
Up to 10
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
60 Days
norton.com

Norton 360 combines a top-notch antivirus with useful tune-up tools. Most plans also come with extra features, making it another great all-in-one solution for Mac users.

The Norton Clean feature quickly identifies and removes all sorts of junk files, including duplicate and similar files, uninstalled application files, space-wasting files, and broken system files. However, I don’t like that it doesn’t remove unused program files like Intego and TotalAV can. It’s still a good feature, but I wish it were more comprehensive.

If your device is having serious problems, Norton offers a unique service. For a one-time fee, a technician will remotely comb through your Mac for anything that might be slowing it down. It’s called Computer Tune Up and involves a real person actively checking for issues. I also like how this service is available 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world, so all you need is an internet connection. But the service is designed for non-technical users and isn’t included in any 360 plans (you have to pay individually for each tune up). If you already know your way around your device, it probably isn’t worth it.

Norton also provides the best malware detection on the market. During my tests, it detected 100% of all the malware files on my Mac, including bloatware and PUPs that were slowing down my system.

My favorite Norton plan is 360 Deluxe, which costs $49.99 / year*. It covers up to 5 devices and includes optimization tools, parental controls, real-time malware protection, dark web monitoring, a VPN, and 50 GB of cloud storage, all for $49.99 / year*. If you’re on a budget, there’s also Norton 360 Standard for just $39.99 / year*. It won’t get you parental controls or more than 2 GB of cloud storage, but it can keep your Mac safe. All plans come with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

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Bottom Line:

Norton provides efficient Mac cleaning tools and an advanced anti-malware engine. It’s a great way to stay safe while improving your device’s performance. Despite a few limitations like the inability to scan for and remove unused programs, it remains an effective solution for users seeking comprehensive Mac cleanup and protection.

Read the full Norton review

4. Avira — Multiple Cleanup Tools for Enhancing Macs Performance

Malware detection rate
100%
Key Features
Device optimization tools
Number of devices
Up to 5
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
60 Days
avira.com

Avira is another solid choice for optimizing your Mac in 2024. It comes with a good anti-malware engine, nifty extra features, and basic optimization tools. These include a startup optimizer, junk file cleaner, cookie cleaner, and app uninstaller.

I was impressed with Avira’s junk file cleaner — it’s on par with TotalAV’s equivalent tool. In my testing, it discovered and removed over 1.3 GB of unnecessary data clogging my system, improving my Mac’s performance. I like that you get to choose which files and folders to scan before deciding which specific files you want to keep or delete. Still, it doesn’t have as many features as Intego’s Mac Washing Machine.

The startup optimizer sped up my boot time. It’s particularly useful for older Macs that struggle with slow startups. I also like how it keeps track of your Mac’s load time using an easy-to-read graph.

Another powerful tool that Avira provides is its cloud-based antivirus scanner. It’s so good that it has been licensed out to multiple antivirus brands, including TotalAV. Avira’s malware scanner has perfect malware detection rates, and it’s cloud-based, so it makes use of advanced scanning tools without slowing your Mac down.

In terms of extra features, Avira is pretty competitive. All plans come with a VPN, but the data limit is laughably low on all but the most expensive plan. You also get a password manager with unlimited storage across unlimited devices, plus even more extras if you opt for the higher-tier plans.

To get the most out of Avira, I recommend Avira Prime, which costs $59.99 / year. It covers up to 5 devices and provides access to all the advanced cleanup and optimization tools, coupled with a risk-free 60-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

Avira is one of the best Mac cleaners in 2024. With a combination of powerful cleanup tools, efficient optimization features, and excellent anti-malware capabilities, it provides an all-in-one solution to keep your Mac running at peak performance.

Read the full Avira review

5. MacKeeper — Intuitive Cleanup & Unique Features

Malware detection rate
99%
Key Features
ID theft protection
Number of devices
Up to 3
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
mackeeper.com

MacKeeper provides great security and some exceptional optimization tools, and it can keep your device running at peak performance. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a beginner, MacKeeper’s user-friendly interface makes maintaining your Mac a breeze.

I was impressed with the diversity of optimization and cleanup tools. It has all the standard features, including an easy-to-use uninstaller and a duplicate file finder. What’s more, the Safe Cleanup tool scans your entire Mac, efficiently detecting junk files that eat up valuable space, such as caches, logs, items in your trash, and unused language files. It missed some scrapable files that Intego found, however.

I really like that MacKeeper’s cleanup tool scans your email as well. It’s one of the only tools which does this effectively, in my experience. The results were impressive — it cleared out over 7 GB of useless data from my hard drive and inbox. It was really good at knowing what can be deleted and what you might want to keep.

Unfortunately, the Memory Cleaner wasn’t effective in my tests. It’s supposed to free up memory for better performance, but I didn’t notice any significant improvements in my Mac’s performance after using it.

As an antivirus, MacKeeper is a solid choice. Its 99% malware detection puts it at pretty much the same level as TotalAV. It isn’t as customizable as my top choices, but I like that it comes with extras like a VPN and parental controls.

MacKeeper’s premium plan includes all of the features listed above for $50.40 / year, which is quite costly — especially compared to competitors like Intego, which offer more features than Mackeeper. That said, Mackeeper includes a 30-day money-back guarantee on its annual plans, letting you test it out risk-free before committing.

Bottom Line:
MacKeeper offers effective tune-up tools to speed up your Mac. They come coupled with a powerful antivirus and an easy-to-use interface, making it a solid choice for anyone seeking to boost their Mac’s performance and security. You can give MacKeeper a try with its risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, but there’s no free trial.

Read the full MacKeeper review

6. Avast — Solid Antivirus With Effective Mac Cleanup Tools

Malware detection rate
100%
Key Features
Good web protection & VPN
Number of devices
Up to 30
OS compatibility
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
avast.com

Avast is a great antivirus that offers perfect malware detection and real-time protection, along with several system cleanup and optimization tools for Mac devices. It found every malware sample I added to my Mac and helped me get rid of unnecessary files.

Antivirus aside, Avast comes with useful tools including a disk cleaner, an app uninstaller, a photo cleaner, a duplicate finder, and other extras to keep your Mac running smoothly. I found the disk cleaner to be an easy-to-use and versatile tool for freeing up space on my Mac. You can search for specific categories of junk to remove or run a general search for unnecessary files.

The browser cleaner clears your browsing records and protects your privacy. I tried it out, and it detected over 40,000 items I could remove from my Google Chrome browser. It also found over 3,000 items in my Firefox browser. I like that it provides details on where the items are located in your browser, so you can see whether it’s your cookies, cache, browsing history, or autofill addresses taking up excess space.

I’m a big fan of Avast’s malware protection, too — it’s on par with top-notch competitors like Norton and Avira. The real-time protection is equally effective. When I turned it on, it stopped me from downloading my malware samples again, even catching samples that were encrypted and zipped.

Avast One is the best-value plan for Macs. It costs $29.99 / year and comes with all of Avast’s antivirus-bundled Mac cleanup tools along with extra features like a malware scanner, real-time protection, web protection, a VPN, data breach monitoring, and much more. Meanwhile, Avast Cleanup Premium, which includes dedicated tune-up tools, goes for $23.40 / year. Both plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

Avast offers superb malware protection along with a variety of Mac cleanup tools. The software’s comprehensive suite includes a disk cleaner, an app uninstaller, a browser cleaner, a system monitor, and more, which significantly improve system performance and maintain privacy. Avast One offers a great value-for-money package with a range of premium features, while Avast Cleanup Premium focuses mainly on system cleaning and optimization. You can try out Avast with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Avast review here

7. CleanMyMac X — Comprehensive Mac Cleaner (One-Time Purchase)

7. CleanMyMac X — Comprehensive Mac Cleaner (One-Time Purchase)

CleanMyMac X is a tune-up tool with an anti-malware engine. It’s a decent way to keep your Mac running smoothly while staying safe from viruses and other threats.

In terms of cleanup tools, it has the following:

  • System junk (removes junk folders).
  • Trash bins (deletes trash folders).
  • Mail attachments (declutters your mailbox).
  • Photo junk (removes unnecessary supporting data from your library).
  • iTunes junk (removes redundant data like iOS backups, updates of iOS software, broken downloads, and cached album artworks).
  • Uninstaller (finds and safely removes applications with all their components).
  • Updater (checks available updates for the apps on your Mac).
  • Extensions (gets rid of a plugin completely, with all of its supporting files).

Taken together, these tools can do a lot to free up space. I was able to clear several gigabytes of junk off my hard drive. What’s more, I did notice a slight increase in speed.

The malware removal tool is also worth mentioning. It offers an added layer of security to your Mac. While not as feature-rich as Intego or as effective as TotalAV, it’s still a very useful shield against digital threats.

CleanMyMac X starts at $34.95 / year, which is quite pricey considering it only provides optimization tools and basic malware removal. It also offers a one-time purchase option at $89.95, which can be a smart investment in the long run. Both options provide full access to all features and are backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

CleanMyMac X delivers an all-in-one optimization package. It can be relied on to keep your Mac clean, optimized, and secure. With an intuitive interface and powerful tools, it efficiently handles junk files and performance-draining applications. Though its malware removal tool might not be the most advanced, it’s still a valuable add-on, especially considering it’s available as a one-time purchase.

8. MacCleaner Pro — Efficient and User-Friendly Mac Maintenance

8. MacCleaner Pro — Efficient and User-Friendly Mac Maintenance

MacCleaner Pro is a versatile and effective solution for keeping your Mac in its optimal state. Its strengths lie in its simplicity and the broad range of tools it offers for comprehensive system optimization.

MacCleaner Pro includes:

  • Duplicate finder.
  • Space analyzer.
  • App uninstaller.
  • Memory cleaner.
  • Funter (for finding hidden files).

During my tests, MacCleaner Pro proved to be both thorough and user-friendly. It quickly scans for various types of unnecessary files, and its intuitive interface makes managing these files effortless. The duplicate file finder was particularly impressive in freeing up storage space.

One feature that distinguishes MacCleaner Pro is its real-time memory cleaner, which actively monitors and optimizes your Mac’s memory usage. It automatically clears inactive RAM whenever your system is out of RAM. You can also use the memory cleaner to see how much memory each app is using. This information is pretty helpful — there was one program in particular that I discovered was using more resources than I assumed. Armed with that knowledge, I started turning it off when I needed more RAM.

Unfortunately, the product doesn’t come with any security tools. It won’t protect you from malware on its own. Still, it’s a decent tool for Mac users to have, especially when used in tandem with an effective antivirus like Intego or TotalAV.

MacCleaner Pro is reasonably priced, starting at $29.95/ year for a one-year subscription. You can also opt for a one-time purchase, which starts at $119.95. MacCleaner Pro doesn’t have a money-back guarantee, but it offers a 2-day free trial (which I think is way too short).

Bottom Line:

MacCleaner Pro is a decent choice if you want an efficient, user-friendly tool to keep your Mac in top shape. While it may not offer malware protection, its robust cleanup and optimization features make it a good choice. Its duplicate file finder and real-time memory cleaner work very well, ensuring that your Mac remains clean and performs at its best.

9. DaisyDisk — Visual Disk Analyzer for Mac

9. DaisyDisk — Visual Disk Analyzer for Mac

DaisyDisk has an aesthetically pleasing, intuitive interface and robust disk analysis tools. It offers an efficient, visual way to manage your disk space, making it easy to identify large files and folders taking up space.

My tests showed that DaisyDisk is incredibly proficient at scanning your Mac, providing a detailed, interactive map of your disk usage. The visual representation of disk space is the most distinctive feature, as it lets you see your files and folders presented in an intuitive graphic. While it doesn’t offer additional features like memory optimization or malware removal, its core feature — disk space management — is executed flawlessly.

DaisyDisk also shines when it comes to simplicity and efficiency. The ability to drag and drop files into the ‘Collector’ for batch deletion streamlines the cleanup process. Although DaisyDisk lacks many features seen in other Mac cleaners, it’s still useful for users who need a simple, effective way to manage disk space. Still, I wouldn’t rely on it to protect my device — it’s best used alongside an antivirus like TotalAV.

For a one-time fee of $9.99, DaisyDisk provides lifetime support for Mac users primarily concerned with disk management. The software covers 5 Macs, provides lifetime updates, and is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

DaisyDisk is a top-tier choice for users seeking an efficient, intuitive method to manage their Mac’s disk space. It’s very limited in terms of extra features, lacking any kind of device protection or automatic clean-up tools. But considering that it’s a one-time purchase, DaisyDisk offers decent value, making it a smart investment for maintaining a clean and organized Mac.

10. Parallels Toolbox — Streamlined Set of Mac Cleanup Tools

10. Parallels Toolbox — Streamlined Set of Mac Cleanup Tools

Parallels Toolbox is a compact toolbox for Mac users, offering a multitude of utilities including cleaning tools. Its focus is to provide quick access to functions that can improve your Mac’s performance and user experience.

The cleaner provides 3 optimization tools: Clean Drive, Find Duplicates, and Free Memory. Clean Drive deletes unnecessary files like logs, cache, and temporary files to free up space on your Mac. Find Duplicates locates and removes duplicate files in your Mac, while Free Memory releases inactive memory and optimizes memory consumption. It removed a lot of files from my device, but the scan wasn’t quite as thorough as Intego’s.

Parallels Toolbox is not as singularly focused as other Mac cleaners, but it does offer a good range of utilities that can enhance your Mac usage in various ways. Though it’s severely lacking in the security arena, it’s still useful for users who want a collection of productivity tools in addition to cleanup functions, such as Presentation mode, Focus mode, Do Not Disturb mode, and Airplane mode.

Parallels Toolbox is relatively affordable. It offers an annual subscription starting at $24.99/ year and can cover up to an unlimited number of devices (though there’s a significant extra cost to do this). Parallels Toolbox comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

Parallels Toolbox is not as versatile as other Mac cleanup products, but it still provides a set of quick-access tools that streamline both maintenance tasks and daily computer use. Its optimization tools and host of other utilities make it a well-rounded package for general Mac users, especially considering the reasonably-priced annual subscription.

Bonus. App Cleaner & Uninstaller — Simple and Effective Mac Uninstalling Tool

Bonus. App Cleaner & Uninstaller — Simple and Effective Mac Uninstalling Tool

App Cleaner & Uninstaller is a straightforward solution for clearing up space on your Mac, which works by removing unwanted apps and associated files. It focuses on fully uninstalling applications, leaving no residual files behind, which can be particularly useful for keeping your Mac uncluttered in 2024.

In my testing, I found that App Cleaner & Uninstaller excelled in removing applications and their accompanying files. It also comes with a startup optimization tool to reduce boot-up time and removes any plugins or additions you don’t use from your browsers or app extensions (as they can slow down your Mac).

Though far more narrowly focused than most apps on this list, it’s good at what it does. That said, compared to the broader feature sets included with Intego and TotalAV, it doesn’t offer much. But if you’re primarily interested in an effective application uninstaller, it’s worth considering.

App Cleaner & Uninstaller offers budget-friendly prices. It provides annual plans starting at $14.95/ year and lifetime plans starting at $34.95. Like MacCleaner Pro, it offers a 2-day free trial and doesn’t have a money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

App Cleaner & Uninstaller is a focused, efficient tool for removing applications and residual files from Mac devices completely. While it lacks the broader range of cleanup features seen in other brands, its simplicity and affordable price make it a standout choice for efficient application removal in 2024.

Quick Comparison Table

Mac Cleaner Starting Price Standout Tools Malware Scanner Free Plan Money-Back Guarantee
1.🥇Intego $19.99 / year Junk file cleaner, duplicate file finder, file organizer, anti-malware engine 30 days
2.🥈TotalAV $19.00 / year Browser cleanup, junk file cleaner, startup manager, app uninstaller, duplicate file finder 30 days
3.🥉Norton $54.99 / year* Duplicate finder, remote system tune-up, anti-malware engine 60 days
4. Avira $26.99 / year Junk file cleaner, startup optimizer, cookie cleaner, app uninstaller 60 days
5. Avast $2.46 / month Disk cleaner, app uninstaller, photo cleaner, duplicate finder 30 days
6. MacKeeper $10.95 / month Safe cleanup, duplicate file finder, memory cleaner, smart uninstaller 30 days
7. CleanMyMac X $34.95 / year System junk cleanup, trash junk remover, attachments remover, app uninstaller, app updater, extensions remover 30 days
8. MacCleaner Pro $29.95/ year Duplicate finder, space analyzer, app uninstaller, memory cleaner ❌(2-day free trial)
9. DaisyDisk $9.99
(one-time purchase)
Disk management, file collector for deleting files 30 days
10. Parallels Toolbox $24.99/ year Drive cleaner, duplicate finder, memory cleaner 30 days
Bonus. App Cleaner & Uninstaller $14.95/ year App uninstaller, extensions manager, startup manager, leftover-files remover ❌(2-day free trial)

How to Choose the Best Mac Cleaner in 2024

  • Find an app with comprehensive cleanup capabilities. You’ll want a Mac cleaner with lots of features that can scan your whole system. It should effectively eliminate unnecessary files, cache, and bloatware that take up precious storage. Every cleaner on this list, including Intego and TotalAV, can efficiently clean your Mac, leaving it clutter-free.
  • Prioritize optimization tools. If you’re investing in a Mac cleaner, it’s only reasonable to expect a noticeable improvement in your Mac’s performance. Tools such as startup optimizers and redundant file removers can free up space and significantly boost your Mac’s performance. Both Intego and Norton include lots of these features, but every brand on this list has something to offer.
  • Consider malware detection and removal. Ideally, you’ll want an all-in-one app that comes with malware scanning and removal tools, as malware not only poses a security risk but can also impact your Mac’s performance. Top brands like Norton and TotalAV incorporate advanced malware scanners in their suite. If you already have an antivirus, more basic tools like DaisyDisk might be sufficient.
  • Opt for a cleaner with a file manager. The best Mac cleaners not only remove unnecessary files but also help you manage your files more efficiently. All the cleaners in this list, including Norton, can identify and remove duplicate files on your Mac, freeing up more storage.
  • Choose user-friendly software. A good Mac cleaner should be intuitive and easy to use, regardless of the user’s technical proficiency. The cleaners on this list are all designed with user-friendly interfaces that make accessing key features easy.
  • Look for extra features. I highly recommend choosing a comprehensive security suite over a standalone Mac cleaner. For instance, Intego and Norton offer additional security features like real-time malware protection, parental controls, and more, providing an all-in-one solution for your Mac.
  • Pick a cleaner that offers good value for money. With numerous Mac cleaners available in the market, you should take the time to find one that’s effective and affordable. All brands on this list provide excellent value for money and most even come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut

  • Bitdefender. Bitdefender’s OneClick Optimizer is a very powerful and effective cleanup tool, but it doesn’t have a startup manager and a duplicate finder. Also, it’s not available for Mac devices.
  • Kaspersky. Kaspersky has a powerful malware engine and a good range of cleanup and optimization tools including a system cleaner, speed-up and startup tools, an unused data cleaner, a hard drive health monitor, and a privacy cleaner. However, while the malware engine is available for macOS devices, none of the cleanup tools work on Mac.
  • McAfee. Likewise, McAfee has excellent malware detection and web protection as well as a decent selection of optimization and cleanup tools, but none of these cleanup tools work on macOS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Mac cleaner does Apple recommend?

Apple doesn’t officially endorse any third-party Mac cleaning software, but the company does emphasize the importance of regular updates to the macOS for the best performance and security. For users who feel the need for additional cleaning, I recommend Intego. It has thorough cleaning capabilities, adheres to Apple’s safety guidelines, and is also a great antivirus.

Are Mac cleaners worth it?

I think so. Mac cleaners help your Mac reach optimal performance. These applications can automate the process of finding and eliminating unnecessary files, freeing up valuable storage space. Beyond cleaning, options like Intego and TotalAV also provide an array of features such as malware scanning, real-time protection, and optimization tools, making them a comprehensive solution for Mac maintenance and security.

What’s the best Mac cleaning software?

The best Mac cleaning software is Intego. It offers a broad suite of cleaning and optimization tools, including a duplicate finder, a junk file cleaner, and a file organizer. It also provides additional features like real-time malware protection, system backup, and parental controls. If you don’t want to download lots of different products, Intego is your best bet considering the wealth of features that it brings to the table.

How good is a Mac cleaner?

Mac cleaners will free up space on your device and improve performance, but the extent of the effect will depend on the app you use and the state of your Mac computer. High-rated cleaners such as Intego and TotalAV come equipped with a range of cleaning and optimization tools that can enhance your Mac’s performance, clean up clutter and free up storage space.

If your device is brand new, the effect will be quite small. If you have an older machine that you’ve used a lot and filled with all kinds of files, a Mac cleaner can make a big difference in your user experience.

Does Mac have a built-in system cleaner?

MacOS does not have a dedicated built-in system cleaner. However, it does have certain maintenance and optimization features. For one, all Macs optimize storage to a certain extent. These tools, while useful, won’t provide the level of detail or user-friendliness that you would get from a dedicated Mac cleaner such as Intego or TotalAV.

Is MacCleaner Pro free?

MacCleaner Pro is not a free tool. It offers a 2-day free trial for users to explore its functionalities, but after that, full access would require a purchase. For a reasonable price, MacCleaner Pro provides an impressive suite of system cleanup and optimization tools that can significantly enhance the performance and safety of your Mac, making it a worthwhile investment.

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About the Author
Kamso Oguejiofor-Abugu
Updated on: April 25, 2024

About the Author

Kamso Oguejiofor is a former Content Writer at SafetyDetectives. He has over 2 years of experience writing and editing topics about cybersecurity, network security, fintech, and information security. He has also worked as a freelance writer for tech, health, beauty, fitness, and gaming publications, and he has experience in SEO writing, product descriptions/reviews, and news stories. When he’s not studying or writing, he likes to play basketball, work out, and binge watch anime and drama series.