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MacCleaner Pro 6 Alternatives to Clean Junks on Mac

Updated on Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Written by

Sherry Song

Approved by

Jessica Shee

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Summary: When cleaning caches and junk data on Mac, using some tools like MacCleaner Pro is commonly seen. If you wanna find a better alternative to MacCleaner Pro, we summarize 6 ones. CleanMyJunk is the most excellent app among them after our professional test and review.

MacCleaner Pro is a popular tool for optimizing and cleaning Mac systems, but it's not the only option. Sometimes, you feel the cleanup is incomplete or it takes up more space on your Mac, so needing an alternative is necessary.

Whether you are looking for a free alternative or a more feature-rich solution, there are several wonderful tools to consider. We've tested and reviewed eight of the best alternatives to MacCleaner Pro, evaluating their performance, features, ease of use, and drawbacks.

Free/Best MacCleaner Alternatives Overview Summary

 Overall scoreFull junk removalKey featuresTake much space
Finder   Manual file and cache management
CleanMyJunk     Junk file cleanup, cache removal
DaisyDisk    SometimesVisual disk space analysis
CCleaner    Basic cleaning and privacy protection
iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac     Disk management and optimization
OnyX   Advanced system maintenance and tweaks

Please share this useful table on social media for more Mac users to find the most suitable alternatives to MacCleaner Pro.

 

 Note: To ensure an accurate assessment of each alternative to MacCleaner Pro, we choose 6 popular programs(including a built-in tool Finder). We conducted in-depth testing comparing these criteria: cleaning performance, user interface, ease level, how much storage takes, pricing & value, and so on.

As a result, the 6 alternatives to MacCleaner Pro are tested under real-world conditions, simulating typical user scenarios to determine their effectiveness by objectivity.

🔢Number of Tools Tested15 tested, 6 selected
💻Device We TestedMac mini, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air
📖Tested macOS versionsmacOS Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey
⏰Average testing timeOne day

# 1 Finder 

Mac Finder, macOS's default file manager, provides basic file organization and manual cleanup features. While it does not have a dedicated junk file cleaning function, users can leverage Finder to locate and delete unnecessary files, such as old downloads, duplicate files, and large unused documents.

  • Pros:
  • Free 
  • Per-installed on every Mac
  • Cons:
  • The manual process can be time-consuming 
  • Too many related data in the Library
  • Lacks advanced cleaning features like cache and system junk removal

Overall reviews

You can easily find files and folders on your Mac with Finder, then move the known data to realize junk file cleanup. The Smart Folder can also filter and locate large or old files for deletion.

However, Finder's search function is slow and often inaccurate, making it difficult to locate files quickly. And the users can't find all junk data at once. And you can learn more about cleaning junk files on Mac.

 Editor's Review: macOS Finder doesn't offer robust tools for organizing or cleaning up files, leading to cluttered storage. -medium.com 

# 2 CleanMyJunk

CleanMyJunk is designed to help Mac users clean up junk files and optimize Mac's storage. This lightweight app is so easy to use and can scan unnecessary data, such as cache, logs, temporary files, and other redundant data together at one time.

  • Pros:
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Fast junk file scanning and removal
  • Select files by yourself not deleting directly
  • Lightweight not take so much space
  • Supports for deleting system files
  • Cons:
  • Not support for phones

Overall reviews

CleanMyJunk provides a user-friendly interface to review and delete junk files, potentially freeing up storage space and improving system performance.

Besides, it's an Apple-trusted app so you can download it safely from App Store. The uninstalling of it is also easy and accessible for users of all experience levels. 

How to clean junk files with MacCleaner Pro competitor CleanMyJunk:

  1. Free download, install, and open CleanMyJunk. 
  2. Click Grant Access to give it permission. 
  3. Click Quick Scan then wait. 
  4. Tick and untick the files of your own, then click Clean at the bottom.

 Editor's Review: The app is marketed as a solution for maintaining a clean and efficient Mac. Users should exercise caution when deleting system files to avoid unintended consequences. -appagg.com

#3 DaisyDisk

DaisyDisk is a popular disk space analyzer and cleanup tool designed for macOS, which is the powerful MacCleaner Pro alternative. It provides a visual representation of disk usage, helping users identify and manage large files, unused data, and junk files.

  • Pros:
  • Helps quickly identify storage-heavy files
  • Cons:
  • Sometimes accidentally delete important files 
  • No automatic cleaning options 
  • Limited free version 
  • Lack of advanced features 
  • Users need a learning process

Overall reviews

DaisyDisk is widely considered as a user-friendly and efficient tool for managing disk space on Mac, particularly for users looking to free up storage by removing redundant or unused files.

But it is available as a paid app, with a free trial offering limited functionality. Some users note that the lack of advanced features, such as automated cleanup or duplicate file detection, limits its functionality for more advanced needs.

 Editor's Review: DaisyDisk is an excellent option for those new to disk analysis tools. Its sleek and user-friendly interface simplifies what can otherwise be a complicated task. While it may not have an extensive range of features, it remains a reliable and well-rounded choice for most users. -mapaw.com

# 4 CCleaner

CCleaner is a popular utility software designed to help users clean and optimize their Mac systems by removing unnecessary files and freeing up storage space. CCleaner is widely recognized for its ability to clean junk files, such as system cache, browser cookies, temporary files, and other clutter that accumulates over time.

  • Pros:
  • Includes additional tools like app uninstaller and startup management
  • Effective at reclaiming disk space
  • Cons:
  • It is overly aggressive if not configured properly, potentially deleting important files
  • The free version has limited features
  • Raised concerns about data privacy
  • Many ads on the free version
  • Medium control of file removal

Overall reviews

CCleaner for Mac offers basic junk file cleaning and privacy protection features. This tool can help improve the performance of your hardware and devices. It also allows you to identify which applications are using the most system resources.

Additionally, it provides privacy protection by effectively removing tracking files and browsing history though users should exercise caution and customize settings to avoid unintended deletions.

 Editor's Review: While the interface may not be the most intuitive, CCleaner offers a robust set of tools once you take the time to familiarize yourself with its layout. Hope it will have more control over which files are deleted during the cleaning process. -cybernews.com

# 5 iBoysoft DiskGeeker

iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac provides disk management and optimization features, including junk cleanup and partition management. Its excellent space analysis is in a visual mode with ranging files from big to small, and the complete removal of junk data makes it stand out.

  • Pros:
  • Effective at cleaning junk files
  • Includes tools like disk analysis and duplicate file removal 
  • Easy-to-use interface with customizable cleaning options
  • Total removal and permanent deletion
  • Cons:
  • Some advanced features may be paid
  • Not support for phones

Overall reviews

iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac is a reliable tool for cleaning junk files, analyzing disk usage, and improving storage management. It is particularly useful for users looking to free up space and maintain their Mac's performance.

Moreover, it can read or write BitLocker encrypted drive and NTFS drive on Mac, prevent virus attacks via setting USB defender, and check and diagnose disk errors. 

 Editor's Review: With iBoysoft DiskGeeker, Mac users can benefit from cross-platform disk management, improved data security, enhanced system performance, and increased work productivity. -sourceforge.net 

# 6 OnyX

OnyX is a versatile maintenance and optimization utility designed specifically for macOS. It is a free tool that offers a wide range of features to help users clean, manage, and optimize their Mac systems. OnyX is particularly known for its ability to clean junk files and perform deep system maintenance.

  • Pros:
  • Comprehensive cleaning and maintenance capabilities
  • Includes diagnostic tools for system monitoring
  • Cons:
  • The interface is not as intuitive as other tools 
  • Best suited for advanced users
  • Lacks a modern, user-friendly design
  • Cannot use the latest version on old macOS versions

Overall reviews

OnyX is a powerful and reliable tool for cleaning junk files and performing system maintenance on macOS. It is best suited for advanced users or those willing to invest time in understanding its features to avoid potential mishaps.

However, if you need more advanced tools in it, it can't. 

 Editor's Review: OnyX is a robust Mac optimization tool. When used correctly, it offers both power and flexibility, delivering impressive results. It is lightweight, takes up minimal space, and remains highly stable. -macpaw.com

Please share our post if you find an alternative to MacCleaner Pro.

 

Conclusion

From the listed 6 MacCleaner Pro alternatives, hope you can consider your preferences and needs to choose the most suitable one. Importantly, CleanMyJunk is very simple and quick to clean junk data on Mac, download, and have a try.

No matter which tool you choose, keeping your Mac clean and optimized will ensure better performance and longevity.