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Q: Which one should I choose?

Pick MacPaw if you want the best overall Mac experience and a polished interface. Choose CCleaner if you manage many Windows PCs and want one cleaner across devices. Go for MacKeeper if you’re specifically looking for antivirus, VPN, and privacy tools bundled with cleanup — but purely for cleaning, we still favor MacPaw.

MacPaw vs CCleaner vs MacKeeper

We compared cleaning depth, performance impact, security features, ease of use, and value. Our pick: MacPaw for the best overall balance of smart cleanup, design, and Mac-first focus.

At a glance

MacPaw

Best overall

Top pick for Mac users who want deep but safe cleanup, a great interface, and helpful extras like Space Lens and malware removal.

macOS-specific junk cleanup and optimization
Clean, easy-to-understand UI and smart defaults
Extras: app uninstaller, Space Lens, malware & privacy tools

Get MacPaw

CCleaner

Best for Windows & Mac

Long-running cleaner that shines if you maintain multiple Windows PCs and want straightforward junk removal on both Windows and macOS.

Strong system junk cleanup, especially on Windows
Startup and app management tools
Interface feels more utilitarian and technical

Explore CCleaner

MacKeeper

Best for security bundle

Mac-only suite that combines cleanup with antivirus, VPN, and privacy tools in one subscription.

Built-in antivirus and real-time protection
Privacy tools, VPN, and performance features
More notifications/upsell prompts than MacPaw

See MacKeeper

What to compare	MacPaw	CCleaner	MacKeeper
Primary strength	Best overall: Mac-focused cleanup + performance + UX	Great for mixed Windows & Mac setups	Security suite with extra cleaning tools
Supported platforms	macOS (CleanMyMac X and other Mac-first tools)	Windows, macOS, plus mobile apps	macOS only
Cleaning & optimization	Deep Mac-specific junk cleanup, maintenance scripts, Space Lens, app cleanup	Strong system junk cleanup, registry and browser cleaning (on Windows)	Good cleanup tools, but secondary to security features
Security & privacy	Malware removal, privacy cleanup, app updates (via CleanMyMac X)	Privacy cleaning, software updater; security mainly via separate products	Antivirus, ad & tracker blocking, identity/privacy tools, plus VPN
Ease of use	Very polished UI with clear explanations and safe defaults	Simple but more technical, especially on Windows	Guided dashboards; more alerts and prompts
Extras	Space visualization, app uninstaller, extensions manager, maintenance tasks	Startup manager, software updater, browser cleaning	VPN, ad blocker, ID monitoring plus cleaning & performance modules
Performance impact	Light in the background; heavier tasks are on-demand scans	Generally light; can run more frequently on busy Windows systems	More components running (AV + VPN) can feel heavier on older Macs
Support & help	Knowledge base, email/chat support, clear in-app tips	Support portal, community forums, documentation	24/7 support options with a stronger security focus
Refund policy	Money-back guarantee (typically around 30 days on direct purchases)	Money-back guarantee window on most paid plans	Money-back period varies by subscription (shorter on monthly plans)
Best for	Mac users who want the best all-round experience	People with several Windows PCs plus a Mac	Users who prioritize built-in security and privacy tools

Editorial stance: Spend most of your time on a Mac? Choose MacPaw. Need one cleaner for lots of Windows PCs and the occasional Mac? CCleaner makes sense. Want a “security suite + cleaner” combo on macOS? Look at MacKeeper — but for pure Mac cleaning, we still prefer MacPaw.

Pick by use-case

Best overall Mac experience

CleanMyMac X and other MacPaw tools give you a great mix of cleanup, performance, and design.

Get MacPaw

Best for Windows + Mac

CCleaner is ideal if you maintain several Windows PCs and still want basic cleaning on your Mac.

See CCleaner

Best security bundle

MacKeeper suits users who want antivirus, VPN, and privacy tools tightly integrated with cleanup.

See MacKeeper

FAQ

What does a Mac cleaner do?

A Mac cleaner scans for unnecessary files — system junk, caches, old logs, leftover app data, large unused files — and safely removes them. Tools like CleanMyMac X, CCleaner, and MacKeeper can also help manage apps, free RAM, and run basic maintenance tasks.

Do I really need a cleaning app for macOS?

macOS can look after itself to a point, but a dedicated cleaner makes it easier to reclaim space, remove leftover app junk, and keep things tidy without digging through system folders. It’s especially useful on smaller SSDs or older Macs.

Is MacPaw / CleanMyMac X safe to use?

CleanMyMac X is developed by MacPaw, notarized by Apple, and designed to delete only what’s safe to remove. As with any system tool, you should download it from the official website, keep it updated, and review what you’re cleaning — but in general it’s considered a trustworthy Mac-focused utility.

Which one should I choose?

Pick MacPaw if you want the best overall Mac experience and a polished interface. Choose CCleaner if you manage many Windows PCs and want one cleaner across devices. Go for MacKeeper if you’re specifically looking for antivirus, VPN, and privacy tools bundled with cleanup — but purely for cleaning, we still favor MacPaw.