The 7 Best Free and Paid CCleaner Alternatives for Windows & Mac

If you‘re a long-time user of the popular system cleaning app CCleaner, you may have been alarmed to hear the news in 2017 that hackers compromised the program to spread malware to millions of users. While CCleaner‘s developer Piriform (now owned by Avast) was quick to release a fix, the incident left many people understandably wary about continuing to use the utility.

Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent alternatives to CCleaner on the market that can help keep your PC or Mac running smoothly and free of junk files. In this guide, we‘ll take an in-depth look at seven of the best CCleaner replacements, including both free and paid options for Windows and macOS.

But first, let‘s do a quick recap of exactly what happened with CCleaner and who was affected:

The CCleaner Malware Incident: What You Need to Know

In September 2017, researchers at Cisco Talos discovered that the official download of CCleaner version 5.33 had been compromised. Hackers breached Piriform‘s servers and used them to distribute a malicious version of the program to unsuspecting users.

The tainted version of CCleaner contained a multi-stage malware payload designed to steal data from infected computers. A second malware attack specifically targeted at technology organizations was also uncovered.

According to Piriform, the malware only affected the 32-bit version of CCleaner v5.33.6162 released on August 15, 2017. Users of the Mac version were not impacted. The company estimates about 2.27 million people ran the affected version of the program.

While this particular threat was quickly neutralized, it raised larger concerns about the security of system utilities like CCleaner that require high-level permissions to analyze and delete files on your hard drive. Some users lost trust in the program and decided to seek out alternatives.

So which CCleaner alternatives are the best options? Here are our top picks for both Windows PCs and Macs:

The Best Free CCleaner Alternatives for Windows

1. Glary Utilities

Platforms: Windows XP and up | Cost: Free

Glary Utilities is a robust system maintenance tool that does many of the same things as CCleaner and more. Its one-click maintenance feature can quickly clean up junk files, fix broken shortcuts, remove browser traces, and delete invalid registry entries.

Glary Utilities offers some handy features CCleaner lacks, like a startup manager, memory optimizer, and file shredder for securely erasing data. It also includes a simple interface for casual users and an advanced view with lots of customization options for power users.

The free version provides all the essential tune-up functions, while a $39.95 Pro edition adds automatic cleaning, premium support, and more tools. Glary Utilities works on Windows XP through Windows 10.

Pros:

• Comprehensive system cleaning
• Startup manager and performance tools
• Easy one-click maintenance option
• File shredder for erasing sensitive data
• Supports older Windows versions

Cons:

• Some tools are only in paid Pro version
• Scans can be slow on older hardware

2. BleachBit

Platforms: Windows XP and up, Linux | Cost: Free

BleachBit is a popular open source alternative to CCleaner for users who value transparency and configurability. It can scan and clean thousands of applications as well as Windows itself.

While not the most intuitive program, BleachBit offers a high degree of control over what gets deleted. You can select individual cleaners for each app and preview files before removing them. It includes options for shredding files and wiping free disk space to protect your privacy.

Because BleachBit is open source, the code is frequently audited and vetted by the community. Supports Windows XP through 10 as well as Linux. BleachBit is completely free with no paid upgrades.

Pros:

• Open source for transparency
• Highly configurable cleaners
• File shredding and free space wiping
• Frequent community audits
• Supports Linux in addition to Windows

Cons:

• Can be confusing for novice users
• No automatic cleaning

The Best Paid CCleaner Alternatives for Windows

3. CleanMyPC

Platforms: Windows 7 and up | Cost: $39.95 for 1 PC, free trial available

CleanMyPC from MacPaw (the makers of CleanMyMac) is a powerful and user-friendly cleaning utility for Windows. It aims to make system maintenance easy for users of all skill levels.

CleanMyPC includes a smart one-click scan that identifies junk files, obsolete registry keys, browser traces, and other useless items that can be safely removed. It offers several helpful tools like a hibernation file cleaner, extensions manager, and file shredder.

The sleek, modern interface is a breeze to navigate and explains what each function does. Automatic cleaning and scheduling are supported. CleanMyPC costs $39.95 to clean one PC, with a free trial available. Requires Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 10.

Pros:

• All-in-one system maintenance
• Easy to use for beginners
• Cleans hibernation files and browser data
• Automatic scans can be scheduled
• Attractive interface with helpful explanations

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced options
• No support for XP or Vista

4. System Mechanic

Platforms: Windows XP and up | Cost: $49.95 per year

System Mechanic from Iolo has been one of the most popular PC tune-up utilities for over 20 years. It can clean up junk files, fix registry errors, defrag hard drives, and more.

In addition to standard cleaning tools, System Mechanic offers real-time system monitoring, malware scanning, recovery tools, a startup optimizer, and a privacy shield for online browsing. Iolo claims these features can significantly improve performance.

All of these tools are packed into a dashboard that may be overwhelming for casual users. System Mechanic costs $49.95 for an annual subscription after a 30-day free trial. Supports Windows XP through 10.

Pros:

• Comprehensive package of utilities
• Real-time optimizing and malware blocking
• Privacy and recovery tools
• Promises notable speed improvements
• Free trial period

Cons:

• Higher price than some other options
• Many features can be confusing
• Requires annual subscription

The Best Free CCleaner Alternatives for Mac

5. OnyX

Platforms: macOS/OS X 10.2 and up | Cost: Free

OnyX is a popular and long-standing Mac maintenance tool that‘s completely free to use. It combines disk cleaning and system optimization functions into a single application.

While its interface looks a bit dated, OnyX offers an extensive array of utilities for verifying your startup disk, rebuilding system databases, deleting caches, and customizing hidden macOS settings and parameters. It can also force empty the Trash and rebuild Spotlight‘s index.

Separate versions of OnyX are available optimized for different macOS releases going all the way back to OS X Jaguar. The developer frequently updates the app to support the latest macOS versions and add new features.

Pros:

• 100% free with no limitations
• Extensive system maintenance tools
• Gives access to hidden macOS settings
• Actively developed with frequent updates
• Supports almost every version of macOS

Cons:

• Older looking interface
• May be overkill for basic cleaning

6. AppCleaner

Platforms: OS X 10.6 and up | Cost: Free

AppCleaner is a small and simple utility that thoroughly uninstalls applications on your Mac, including associated files that are often left behind. It can help reclaim significant disk space.

When you launch AppCleaner, it automatically finds all installed apps. Drag an application into AppCleaner and it will also find its preferences, caches, login items, crash reports, and more. Click the delete button and every trace of the app will be removed.

AppCleaner is light on features compared to other tools but makes the uninstallation process quick and easy. It requires almost no configuration and the latest version supports macOS Catalina and Big Sur.

Pros:

• Simple and lightweight cleaner
• Finds all files associated with apps
• Frees up valuable hard drive space
• Easy drag-and-drop uninstalls
• Supports newest macOS versions

Cons:

• Only cleans app-related files
• Can‘t automate cleaning tasks

The Best Paid CCleaner Alternative for Mac

7. CleanMyMac X

Platforms: OS X 10.10 and up | Cost: $34.95 per year

CleanMyMac X is an all-in-one package designed to clean, protect, and optimize your Mac. It boasts an attractive and intuitive interface that makes system maintenance accessible to everyone.

The Smart Scan feature analyzes your system for junk files, malware, and unnecessary apps. With a few clicks, you can clean up gigabytes of clutter, neutralize threats, free up RAM, and run maintenance scripts to improve performance.

CleanMyMac also offers a handy uninstaller, file shredder, duplicate finder, app updater, and extensions manager. A helpful assistant provides tips to get the most out of the program.

After a free trial, CleanMyMac requires an annual $34.95 subscription for one Mac, with business and family plans available. It supports macOS Yosemite through Big Sur.

Pros:

• Smart Scan finds issues quickly
• Includes malware and privacy protection
• Many tools to improve performance
• Extremely user-friendly for all skill levels
• Responsive and modern interface

Cons:

• Higher price than some competitors
• Lacks a few advanced utilities

How to Choose the Right CCleaner Alternative for Your Needs

With so many different cleaning utilities available, it can be hard to decide which one to use. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting a CCleaner replacement:

Operating system compatibility: Make sure to pick a cleaning tool that fully supports your version of Windows or macOS. Some cleaners offer separate downloads optimized for specific OS releases.

Cleaning features: While all of these utilities can delete junk files, some offer more advanced cleaning capabilities like registry repair, browser cleanup, malware scanning, and file shredding for privacy. Decide which features matter most to you.

Ease of use: How tech savvy are you? Some cleaning tools are designed to be as simple as possible with one-click maintenance options, while others expose lots of settings that may be confusing for casual users. Pick a cleaner that matches your comfort level.

Frequency of updates: Developers regularly update their cleaning tools to support the latest OS versions, add new features, and fix bugs. Opt for programs that are actively maintained to ensure you can use them long-term.

Price: There are great free cleaning tools for both Windows and Mac, but some of the most comprehensive and easy to use options require a one-time or annual fee. The paid programs tend to offer more features and customization.

Reputation & transparency: Following the CCleaner incident, some users may prefer open source cleaning tools or those from reputable developers. Look for utilities that clearly explain what they do and avoid any that seem shady or too good to be true.

Best Practices for Using a CCleaner Alternative

Regardless of which system cleaning utility you choose, it‘s important to exercise caution when using them. Here are a few tips to stay safe and get the best results:

Research the program thoroughly. Before downloading any system cleaner, search for reviews and look into the reputation of its developer. Avoid cleaners that make outlandish claims or have been linked to malware in the past.

Back up your computer first. While the risk is minimal if you use a well-established cleaner, it‘s always wise to fully back up your system before running any new utility that makes system-level changes.

Read prompts carefully. When a cleaning tool suggests deleting files, don‘t just reflexively hit okay. Make sure you understand what it wants to remove. When in doubt, skip it.

Start with a basic scan. Before using advanced features like registry cleaners and file shredders, start with a basic junk file scan to see how you like the program and ensure it doesn‘t cause any issues on your system.

Don‘t clean too aggressively. Removing too many files at once, especially system files, can cause stability problems. Most cleaning is best done incrementally. Let the automated tools do their job and ignore cleanup suggestions you don‘t fully understand.

Perform regular maintenance. Cleaning utilities are most effective when used on a regular basis, like once per month, to prevent buildup of junk files that can bog down your system over time. Some paid programs allow you to automate scans.

Recommendation

Out of the CCleaner alternatives covered here, we most recommend:

For Windows: BleachBit for a powerful free tool and CleanMyPC for an intuitive paid tool with lots of helpful features.

For Mac: AppCleaner for a lightweight free uninstaller and CleanMyMac X as a comprehensive paid suite with excellent ease of use.

Ultimately, the right system cleaning utility comes down to your specific needs and preferences. All of the programs discussed in this guide are viable alternatives to CCleaner that can help keep your computer running optimally. By following best practices and carefully choosing a tool you trust, you can enjoy a clutter-free system without the worries raised by CCleaner‘s security breach.