Top 10 Mac Disk Space Cleaners

Janet Paterson
9 min readAug 11, 2023

Are you constantly struggling to free up disk space on your Mac? If so, you may need reliable software to clean Mac disk space. Specialized tools efficiently remove unnecessary files, temporary data, and duplicates, which can significantly boost your Mac’s performance. They solve the problem of cluttered storage by eliminating space-hogging files, optimizing system resources, and organizing storage to ensure smooth functioning.

Mac cleaner apps work by helping you remove cached data, unwanted applications, duplicate files/folders, junk files, and much more instantly. This is something that would take you hours if done manually. On top of that, you can schedule the cleaning and automate the whole process with cleaning tools. While manually performing regular maintenance is an arduous task for many.

This article will explore the top 10 Mac disk space cleaners that can help you regain valuable storage space and enhance your Mac experience.

1. JWIZARD Cleaner

JWIZARD Cleaner is our list’s first Mac cleaning software, bringing excellent features. Its efficient scanning quickly identifies and removes unwanted files from your system.

Key Features

Let’s discuss some of its major features here:

  • Cleans up corrupted files, caches, temporary, and logs, freeing up much-needed disk space;
  • Deletes your browser history, cookies, and downloaded files;
  • Frees up mail space by removing written attachment copies and other unwanted files;
  • Provides more disk space by cleaning stored boot and deleted files, as they sometimes contain sensitive information;
  • Deletes Xcode files generated during iOS and MacOS app development, improving the application’s workflow;
  • Cleans app caches and provides the option to uninstall apps completely;
  • Monitors your activity within various applications, enabling you to analyze your usage of time;
  • Gathers information about visited websites and the time spent on each of them;
  • The Smart Scan mode helps you clean the system with just one click.

With regular use, it can help maintain a clean and organized Mac.

Subscriptions

JWIZARD offers three different subscriptions:

  • 1 month: $9.99
  • 3 months: $14.99
  • 1 year: $24.99

Compatibility

JIZWARD is compatible with MacOS 12 Monterey and newer systems.

Download link

2. CleanMyMac

CleanMyMac has been developed by MacPaw to keep your Mac running smoothly. The tools offered by this software ensure that you don’t have to clean your device again manually. It has multiple optimization functionalities that remove junk.

Key Features

  • Cleans the junk files with just one click, without you needing to dig deep and give lengthy instructions.
  • Keeps junk apart from important files and never deletes anything without asking you.
  • System Junk removes the temporary files of your operating system and installed apps.
  • Removes temporary photos and thumbnails by giving you an overview using a smart scan feature.
  • Frees up the space occupied by backup and cache files in iTunes.
  • Timely prompts to clean up the Trash Bin and remove deleted items permanently.

Subscriptions

One-Year Subscription:

  • For 1 Mac: $34.95
  • For 2 Macs: $54.95
  • For 5 Macs: $79.95

One-Time Purchase:

  • For 1 Mac: $89.95
  • For 2 Macs: $134.95
  • For 5 Macs: $199.95

Compatibility

  • Works on macOS 10.13 High Sierra and newer without limitations.
  • Older versions are compatible with macOS 10.10–10.12.

3. MacKeeper

MacKeeper is a popular software from Kromtech Alliance that cleans junk, duplicates, and unwanted apps on your Mac. Today, it has more than 60 million users worldwide. MacKeeper comes with a simple interface with easy navigation.

Key Features

Let’s discuss some of its prominent features to understand it better.

  • Safe Cleanup removes cache, mail attachments, and logs without putting essential files at risk.
  • Duplicates Finder deletes duplicate files without affecting the originals. Moreover, it keeps the best shot of all and deletes the rest.
  • Smart Uninstaller uninstalls apps you don’t use and their leftovers. It also removes hidden plugins and extensions.
  • Reminds you about getting rid of all the unnecessary files mentioned above.

Subscriptions

  • One Month Plan for 1 Mac: $14.95/mo
  • 12 Months Plan for 1 Mac: $71.40 with $5.95/mo
  • 12 Months Plan for 3 Macs: $89.40 with $7.45/mo

Compatibility

MacKeeper works with MacOS 10.11 or higher.

4. Cleaner One Pro

Developed by Trend Micro, Cleaner One Pro brings multiple features to clean and maintain your Mac. Cleaner One Pro can remove everything from app junk to any other files that serve no purpose on your device. It always asks for your approval before deletion so that you keep important files.

Features

  • Lets you choose the type of junk you want to delete. For instance, clicking on Large Files lets you select the large files you want to delete.
  • The file shredder feature removes the files for good once you delete them. Such files can never be recovered, no matter which recovery software one deploys.
  • Disk Map shows your junk files in a visual and interactive map so you know what to delete.

Subscriptions

  • For 1 Year and 1 Device: $19.99.
  • For 1 Year and 5 Devices: $29.99.

Compatibility

Cleaner One Pro is compatible with MacOS 10.12 or later.

5. CCleaner

CCleaner is one of the veterans in the Mac cleaning arena and has been quite popular. In fact, it was the only Mac cleaner used by most people a few years back. Most people who have owned Macs over the years recognize CCleaner.

Features

  • Finds badly lit, blurry, and duplicate photos to delete them and free up valuable space.
  • Wipes cache and temporary files and automatically empty the Trash folder.
  • Detects and removes large apps you don’t use to speed up the hard drive.
  • Removes cookies, browsing history, and other sensitive data automatically.

Subscriptions

  • Professional Plan for 1 Mac: $29.95 per year
  • Professional Plus Plan for 3 Macs: $39.95 per year.
  • Premium Plan for 5 Macs: $54.95 per year.
  • Premium Plan for 5 Macs: $99.95 for 2 years.

Compatibility

CCleaner is compatible with MacOS 10.10 or higher.

6. DaisyDisk

DaisyDisk is another dependable solution for cleaning up your Mac. It shows your Mac storage through attractive graphics, which can help you determine the files that should be deleted. The segments in DaisyDisk’s starburst chart are proportional to the space different files occupy, shown through a scan that takes only a few minutes.

Features

  • Color-coded circular graphics that show various files occupying space on your Mac. Clicking on any segment reveals its details.
  • The Disk Selector also analyzes external drives attached to your Mac and helps you search specific files using the Scan Folder tool.
  • Flags purgeable files and lets you decide what you want to delete.
  • The restricted trial mode is available for free, which shows you the unwanted files, but it cannot delete them.

Subscriptions

One lifetime purchase of $9.99 without any recurring payments.

Compatibility

DaisyDisk is compatible with MacOS 10.13 or newer. M2, M1, Intel.

7. Disk Doctor Pro

Mac Gem has developed Disk Doctor Pro and is a well-reputed Mac Cleaner. With only a few clicks, it can help you reclaim valuable space on your Mac and keep it running smoothly. Its file finder hunts down unnecessary files and allows you to delete them efficiently.

Features

  • A simple interface shows you how much storage space is occupied and how much is left. It also breaks down the storage into different files, such as applications, cache, downloads, etc.
  • The scanning feature explores your Mac quickly and identifies files you can delete to free up space.
  • The Time Machine backup allows you to recover data deleted accidentally. It is a swift process that can be performed with just one click.
  • Provides both light and dark themes to be easily usable in different environments.

Subscriptions

Lifetime subscription for $9.99. No recurring payments or subscription fees.

Compatibility

DiskDoctor Pro is Compatible with macOS 10.9 or newer.

8. MacCleaner Pro

MacCleaner Pro is another effective Mac cleaner updated regularly to fit the last Mac OS. Deleting junk files helps you keep operating your Mac at its optimal capacity. One of the best things about it is that it delivers what it promises effectively without throwing in unnecessary features.

Features

  • Successfully identifies all duplicate files and similar-looking images, removing them with just a single click.
  • Includes an intuitive disk space visualizer that tells the files eating up Mac storage how much is left.
  • Gets rid of cache from all browsers without you having to go into each browser and delete the cache.

Subscriptions

For 1 Mac:

  • $14.95 for 1 month.
  • $29.95 for 1 year.
  • $74.95 for a lifetime.

For 2 Macs:

  • $21.95 for 1 month.
  • $44.95 for 1 year.
  • $119.95 for a lifetime.

For 5 Macs:

  • $34.95 for 1 month.
  • $69.95 for 1 year.
  • $169.95 for a lifetime.

Compatibility

MacCleaner Pro is compatible with macOS 10.13–13.

9. Avast Cleanup Premium

Avast Cleanup Premium is a reliable solution when storage is running right on your Mac. Thankfully, it has all the features needed in a quality Mac cleaner and deploys them swiftly. It has been developed by Avast, an experienced company that has launched several reliable products over the years.

Features

  • Detects leftover data from apps and deletes it thoroughly. Moreover, it removes the apps you haven’t used in a while.
  • Removes temporary files and cache usually hidden deep in the hard disk.
  • Gets rid of useless log files different apps create to keep a record of crashes.
  • Deletes downloads that you don’t need anymore.

Subscriptions

  • For 1 Mac: $29.99 for the first year.
  • For 10 Macs: $34.99 for the first year.

Compatibility

Avast is compatible with macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or higher.

10. MaCleaner Pro: Disk Cleaner

The last cleaner on our list is the MaCleaner Pro, which has different optimization and cleanup features. Its interface is adjusted for MacOS with widgets for Big Sur and extensions for accessing main features faster. Let’s discuss some of its most prominent Mac cleaning features below.

Features

  • Deletes unwanted cache, logs, downloads, installation packages, etc.
  • Helps you review files by categories, such as big & small files, and deletes duplicates.
  • Privacy protection allows you to eliminate browsing data, chat history, mail attachments, etc.

Subscriptions

  • MaCleaner 11 Premium: $14.99
  • Storage Analyzer & Optimizer: $14.99
  • Professional Cleaner: $29.99
  • 3 months subscription: $29.99

Compatibility

MaCleaner Pro requires macOS 10.13 or newer.

Is it Safe to Use Mac Cleanup Software?

Yes, using reliable Mac cleanup software with good user reviews is safe. One such example is the JWIZARD Cleaner, which comes packed with features. It offers robust privacy while removing all unnecessary files and optimizing your Mac for the best performance.

Ways to Clean Up Mac Disk Space Without the Help of Third-Party Programs

If you don’t want to use a third-party app to clean up your Mac, use these effective methods instead.

Method #1: Transfer Photos to External or Cloud Storage

You can transfer your photos to iCloud by following these steps:

  • Open the main menu and click About This Mac. Now from More Info, open Storage Settings.
  • Click Store in Cloud and select the photos that you want to transfer.
  • Reclick Store in Cloud to complete the transfer.

Method #2: Remove Browser Cache

Remove the cache in your Chrome browser by following these steps:

  • Launch Chrome and open the Settings menu. Alternatively, you can type chrome://settings/ in the search bar.
  • Open the Privacy and security settings and choose Clear browsing data.
  • Set the Time range for which you want to delete the data, and make sure you tick the Cached images and files box too.
  • Hit the blue Clear Data button on the bottom right, and you’re done.

Method #3: Get Rid of Mail Attachments

You can trash all the useless mail attachments through these steps:

  • Open the Mail app on your Mac and select messages that contain one or more attachments.
  • Now click Message > Remove Attachments, and you’ll get rid of the unwanted attachments.

Although the attachment is deleted, the mail stays in your inbox and is annotated to show the manual removal of attachments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these top 10 Mac disk space cleaners offer efficient solutions to optimize storage on your device. With their user-friendly interfaces and powerful cleaning capabilities, you can easily reclaim valuable disk space and improve the overall performance of your Mac. Keep your system clutter-free and running smoothly with these essential tools.

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Janet Paterson

Professional copywriter. Interested in tech, coding, HR management.