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CleanMyMac alternatives for Mac: Tidlark, AppCleaner, OnyX, DaisyDisk and more
By Maulik Dave · Updated
CleanMyMac is a capable all-in-one app, but it isn’t the only way to clean up a Mac. Here are seven alternatives, who each one suits, and an honest side-by-side of Tidlark and CleanMyMac, including when CleanMyMac is the better choice.
Tidlark: USD 56 once · 2 Macs · 30-day refund — Pricing · Download
How we checked. Every statement about CleanMyMac on this page comes from MacPaw’s own pages, as listed on 14 November 2026: the CleanMyMac product page and the support articles on editions, purchase options, installation and activation and feature differences between editions. Each other tool is described from its developer’s own site. We left out anything we couldn’t confirm there, including exact prices, which depend on your country and plan. We make Tidlark, so read this with that in mind.
The alternatives at a glance
- Tidlark: for people who want every item explained and nothing removed without review. Personal files are never pre-selected, your files go to the Trash and system items to a Holding Area you can restore from for 30 days. Also covers Xcode, package caches and local AI models. One-time purchase, no account, macOS 14 or later.
- AppCleaner by FreeMacSoft: for people who only need an uninstaller. Its site describes it as “a small application which allows you to thoroughly uninstall unwanted apps”. The current version needs macOS 15 or later; older versions are listed for older macOS.
- OnyX by Titanium Software: for experienced users who want maintenance tasks and hidden settings in one place. A multifunction utility that verifies system files and runs cleaning and maintenance tasks. There is a specific version for each macOS release, so get the one for yours.
- DaisyDisk: for people who want to see what takes up space and decide for themselves. A visual disk map; sold as a one-time purchase.
- Pearcleaner: for people who want a free uninstaller that also looks for orphaned files of apps already deleted. Free and source-available, for macOS 13 to 26. Its GitHub page says development is on hold.
- GrandPerspective: for people who want a free, open-source map of disk usage. It shows every file as a rectangle sized by the space it takes. Free from SourceForge, or paid on the Mac App Store; the latest version needs macOS 14 or later.
- Built-in Storage settings: for light cleanup without installing anything. System Settings › General › Storage shows what uses space and offers Store in iCloud, Optimize Storage and Empty Trash Automatically (Apple’s guide). Our guide to freeing up disk space by hand walks through it.
The short version: Tidlark vs CleanMyMac
- Tidlark is a one-time purchase that explains each item before removal, leaves personal files unselected, and sends system items to a Holding Area you can restore from. No account, no telemetry.
- CleanMyMac is MacPaw’s Mac maintenance app with a one-click Smart Care routine, available from the MacPaw Store, the Mac App Store and Setapp, with subscription and one-time purchase options.
Side by side
| Tidlark | CleanMyMac (as listed on macpaw.com, 14 Nov 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price model | One-time purchase, USD 56. Updates to Tidlark 1.x included. 30-day refund policy. | Monthly, annual and one-time purchase options from the MacPaw Store and the App Store; Setapp offers monthly and annual subscriptions. A one-time purchase includes updates for the current major version only; subscriptions include future major versions. Pricing depends on the number of devices, upgrade options and country taxes. |
| Macs per purchase | 2 Macs per license. | MacPaw Store plans for 1, 2 and 5 Macs; Setapp plans for 1, 2 and 4 Macs; the App Store edition works on your Apple Account devices. |
| Platforms | macOS 14 Sonoma and later, Apple silicon and Intel. | macOS 11 and later. |
| Account | None. Activate with a license file or key. | MacPaw Store purchases are activated by signing in with a MacPaw Account (email and password). App Store and Setapp editions use those stores. |
| Telemetry | No analytics or telemetry; scans stay on your Mac. Privacy policy. | See MacPaw’s privacy policy; not compared here. |
| How removal works | You review every list; personal files are never pre-selected. Your files go to the Trash; system items go to the Holding Area for 30 days. The confirmation names anything that can’t be undone. | Smart Care runs five tasks in one; separate Cleanup, Protection, Performance, Applications, My Clutter, Space Lens and Cloud Cleanup tools. Undo behaviour isn’t described on the pages we checked. |
| Uninstall matching | Files linked by evidence (bundle ID, developer team, installer receipts, launch entries). Name-only matches marked “unverified” and left unselected. Shared group containers protected. | Uninstalls apps “completely”, clearing leftover data, and offers app updates. The matching method isn’t described on the pages we checked. |
| Malware scanning | On-demand Threat Check with the YARA-X engine and signed rules; findings go to the Holding Area. An extra check, not a replacement for macOS protections. | A Protection tool that spots and removes malware. |
| Notarized by Apple | Yes. | Yes, per macpaw.com. |
What CleanMyMac is good at
- One-click routine. Smart Care bundles several tasks into a single run. If you want to press one button and not read lists, that suits you better than Tidlark’s review-first approach.
- Several ways to buy. You can get it from the Mac App Store or as part of a Setapp subscription with many other apps, which Tidlark doesn’t offer.
- Older Macs. It lists macOS 11 and later. Tidlark needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
What Tidlark is good at
- Explaining the cost. Each item says what it is and what removing it means, for example that deleting Xcode Archives loses debug symbols you can’t regenerate.
- Recoverability. Trash first, Holding Area for system items, and a History of where everything went.
- Developer and AI files. Xcode, simulators, package caches, and local AI models from Ollama, Hugging Face, LM Studio and others, with files shared between models kept until nothing uses them.
- Buying once. One payment, no account, 2 Macs.
When CleanMyMac is the better choice
- Your Mac runs macOS 11, 12 or 13.
- You already pay for Setapp, so CleanMyMac costs you nothing extra.
- You prefer a guided one-click routine and are happy to trust its defaults.
- You want to buy through the Mac App Store.
Try it on your own Mac
The fairest test is your own Mac. Tidlark needs a license to run, and if it isn’t right for you, you can ask for a full refund within 30 days. See pricing or download Tidlark.
Related guides: uninstall apps completely, delete Xcode DerivedData, remove Ollama models.
CleanMyMac, Smart Care and Setapp are trademarks of MacPaw. AppCleaner, OnyX, DaisyDisk, Pearcleaner and GrandPerspective are the property of their respective owners. Tidlark is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by MacPaw or any of them. Product names are used only to identify the products being compared.