How To Clean Up Apps On Mac

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Whether it's your home, car, or your Mac, no one really likes cleaning (unless you're Felix Unger). While there are other sites that are better versed in cleaning your house and car, we've done some research to find out which apps are the best for cleaning up the files and folders that have accumulated on your Mac's storage.

On this page, you'll find quick summaries of the Mac cleaning utilities we've reviewed, with links to get product information from the developer and how to get the software. There's also a link to read our full review to help you make a decision on which app to get.

Why should you use any of these apps, to begin with? Recent versions of macOS include Optimize Storage, which has several functions to help get rid of necessary files, and it does enough for most people. But it works only with your Mac's internal storage and if you have external drives you'd like to manage, you need a third-party tool. Also, other apps may have more features to help you analyze what's on your drive and help you decide what you should keep and what you can dump. Any veteran Mac user will tell you that a good cleaner app is an indispensable tool for keeping your Mac running smoothly for years to come.

1. Software Ambience Daisy Disk 4

Editors' Choice

No one ever said tracking down and eliminating all the stuff that was devouring space on your Mac would be pleasant, but DaisyDisk succeeds in making it pretty simple and actually somewhat fun. DaisyDisk is focused on file management, presenting what's taking up invaluable disk space, and allowing you to work with it.

Read our full Daisy Disk 4 review

2. Titanium Software Onyx 3.9.7

Editors' Choice

There's a reason Onyx has been among the tools of choice for Mac techies for such a long time. It offers a great set of tools and an incredible level of customization. Onyx also combines a unique, bare-bones approach to its user interface while offering an incredible level of customization as to what files are affected during a repair.

Read our full Onyx 3.9.7 review

3. Piriform Software CCleaner 1.18.30

CCleaner achieves what it sets out to do: help clean up gigabytes of cache files, internet history files, and locate and purge large files on your Mac, all with an impressive level of control. CCleaner may not be as flashy as its competitors but it gets the job done.

Read our full CCleaner 1.18.30 review

4. MacCleaner Pro 2

MacCleaner Pro 2 comes as an unexpected surprise in a crowded field of utilities, complete with speedy replies to email requests, a good interface, and smooth operation.

Read our full MacCleaner Pro 2 review

5. MacPaw CleanMyMac X 4.8.6

MacPaw CleanMyMac X 4.8.6

CleanMyMac X performs most of its functions admirably and provides an excellent means of clearing gigabytes of unused system detritus/gunk off your Mac, it needs to catch up and perform equally well where each of its modules is concerned.

Read our full CleanMyMac X 4.8.6 review

6. MacKeeper

You can probably find individual products—and in some cases, more robust products—for each of the features in MacKeeper. But having all these tools under one roof makes for ease and convenience.

Read our full MacKeeper review

Utilities

Roman has covered technology since the early 1990s. His career started at MacUser, and he's worked for MacAddict, Mac|Life, and TechTV.