7 Best CCleaner Alternatives For Windows & Mac (Free & Paid)

Those of you unaware of the hype around CCleaner should first understand the genuine purpose of system cleaning applications. CCleaner has been one of the best performing system cleaners since its launch in 2004.

It was initially launched by the name of Crap Cleaner, but later the name was compressed to CCleaner to avoid sounding weird.

However, Piriform, the company behind CCleaner was acquired by Avast in 2017 and has ever since been criticized for several reasons.

After being acquired by Avast, CCleaner suffered a massive malware attack, which was embedded into the CCleaner version 5.53.

The Trojan horse malware created back door access to all users having version 5.53 on their computer systems. This infection compromised the data on over 2 million devices. 

Another factor was brought to light by Windows Defender, which flagged the free versions of CCleaner in their potentially unwanted application section.

The reason mentioned by Microsoft behind this flagging was the bundling of software from different service providers.

Such software could essentially cause spontaneous activity directly impacting the user experience.

Other than that, since its acquisition, installing CCleaner automatically installs Avast Antivirus without user permission.

So, even though CCleaner is a go-to software, it does have some chinks on its armor, just why we’ve reviewed the best CCleaner alternatives you can consider instead.

But before that, do you need the pc cleaner in the first place? 

Do You Really Need Cleaning and Utility Software?

Computers have a direct relation with storage space. Think of a utility software as your housemaid, except that this software may often do it for free although not always. Question is – 

Do you need CCleaner or a CCleaner alternative?

Whenever you download software or keep multiple copies of a file, your computer has to work harder.

If you are frequently downloading new software or simply using your PC from browsing, there are many temporary files on your memory and system.

It causes your system to slow down. At the same time, one can clear their system with some commands. However, there is no way of knowing the strain on your system. 

A system utility software comes in handy in such a situation and keeps you updated with the system information.

Having too much start-up software and vast loads of cache files will ultimately slow down your computer.

Improper management of the computer system makes it feel much slower. 

Be it eliminating the cache files from different software and applications or removing temporary files.

A system utility software will have your back. The advantage is limited to these features but upgrading to the premium or paid versions will provide you with more features.

Some of the alternatives even offer complete online security bundled within this price.

7 Best CCleaner alternatives in 2021: Based on First-Hand User Reviews

CCleaner is still too popular but given its reputation after the malware breach and bundled installation, people are now interested in using other developers.

This system utility software works on both MacBook and Windows PC. There are a lot of software like CCleaner.

Let us begin.

7. Bleachbit

Best Free CCleaner Alternative

Pros

• Intuitive Interface
• Supports Linux, Mac, and Windows

Cons

• Doesn’t offer scheduled cleaning of files
• Lacks always on top option

The first one on our list is open-source software, bleach bit. This software is designed to be used with Linux and Windows operating systems.

While nothing is interesting about the graphical user interface of this device, it is a benefit of the compressed size of this software. Most free CCleaner alternatives are open-source in origin. 

While using Bleach bit, you can be assured of its capabilities. It can clear free cache files, delete cookies, clear internet search history, delete corrupted files, transparent all junk files.

The key highlight of this software is its ability to clean junk files from downloaded applications. If you use browsers quite frequently, Bleachbit has got you covered. 

Other than that, this free software can even free up your disk space.

As a cherry on top, being open-source software, you are not constantly pursued to upgrade your membership plans. The ease of using this software far exceeds any other system cleaning software.

Bleachbit even has Special download options for Blackberry, Email servers, Mac OS X devices. This python-based software released the last stable release in January 2021.

Price: Free (Open Source)

Check it Out Here!

Verdict:

Bleachbit is perfect for those looking for simple system cleaning software that doesn’t take too much space and is easy to use as well.

6. Eraser

Best Free CCleaner Alternative for New Users

Pros

• Works on scheduled timings
• Integrates with Windows 

Cons

• Doesn’t work on the Windows drive

Worried about the sensitive information on your computer system, try Eraser. It is quick, offers many features, and on top of that, it provides a highly utilitarian and attractive user interface.

Eraser comes to rescue you from the disadvantages of the straight-up delete option on your computer.

This software will not just clear junk files but also make your computer system a lot more secure.

Eraser offers a lot of advantages, primarily through its comprehensive and easy-to-use graphical interface.

Unlike the normal delete option, this software can integrate itself within the file context menu built into windows. 

Whenever you right-click, the option of using Eraser will be just one click away. This software can securely clear your folders on your demand during the next boot cycle.

Price: Free (Open Source)

Check it Out Here!

Verdict: 

If you are more concerned about the secured clean-up of your removed files rather than just the clean-up to soothe your eyes, Eraser is just the one for you.

5. IObit Advanced SystemCare 14 Free

Best Budget-Friendly Windows PC Cleaner (For Multi-Device Usage)

Pros

• Useful performance monitoring windows
• Available at a cheaper cost

Cons

• Sadly, there’s a lot of upselling inside 
• Doesn’t work across different platforms

Next up is the IObit Advanced SystemCare Pro 14. This software has been in the market for the last fifteen years and has progressed into a very intuitive product.

Iobit offers two different versions, a free one, and a PRO version. Even the free version of IObit performs better than CCleaner. 

Unlike standard algorithms to clear junk files, this software instead uses the latest AI models to find and remove your junk files. This software works even with older Windows OS such as Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.

It is customizable, while premium features are made available only for the Pro version. This software can clear junk files, unnecessary logs, caches, leftover junk from uninstalled applications while removing browser junk.

You will find the one-click customization and clean-up quite handy and instantly likable.

While its secure mode is a bit complicated to understand, this feature essentially blocks access from suspicious programs to your data. The AI mode is truly a breakthrough in the industry.

But that is not all, IObit also offers firewall protection, real-time tune-ups and completely clears all the tracking data.

Price: Free | Pro version is priced at $17 for 1 PC and upwards

Free | Pro

Verdict:

This is an all-rounder, offering optimization, clean-up, repair, and security. It can even take care of malware and junk files for customized PC performance, that too for free.

We recommend going Pro straight up unless you’re looking for something for your Android or iOS devices as well.

4. Iolo System Mechanic Ultimate Defense

Best Paid Cleaner (Lots of Features!)

Pros

• Offers 50 utility applications 
• Unlimited licenses 
• Explanation of PC problems

Cons

• Quite expensive compared to open source software
• Slow support team response

The name of the next software, Iolo system Mechanic Ultimate Defense is a mouthful but so are its features.

This software is available in both Trial and Paid versions, which you can choose as per your user experience.

Unlike other system cleaning applications, IOLO has a lot more to offer. This software is a combination of over 50 applications meant for optimizing the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Let’s get on with the features provided by this software. You get complete system optimization, Hard drive protection, File recovery as some of the system-related features.

But that’s not all, IOLO System mechanic ultimate defense offers antivirus, privacy protection, password management, malware removal services within a single price tag.

It claims an above 80% increase in boot time and CPU performance. This software currently works only with Windows operating systems.

IOLO is perhaps the most comprehensive and surely one of the best alternatives to CCleaner you can use today.

Price: Around $65

Check it Out Here!

Verdict:

This software is your one-stop destination for all PC requirements, from clean-ups to security and boosting your computer’s performance. We only wish it did more like a PC cleaner.

3. MacKeeper

Best CCleaner Alternative for Mac

Pros

• Offers VPN services
• Memory cleaning and duplicate file remover

Cons

• Poor malware protection in Mac devices
• Higher price

Even the Mac devices are not untouched by malware and slowdowns. So, this entrant on our list is specially dedicated to Mac devices.

The MacKeeper is not the average junk file remover but a comprehensive software to deal with all the performance-related issues on a Mac device. 

This software cleans, secures, and optimizes your mac with simple pre-customizations settings. The recently launched 5th edition of this software adds even more features.

Be it clearing duplicate files, or saving space by removing unused applications, cleans your system memory, and removes all saved files related to login and browsers.

It even tracks updates for your installed applications and software, and all these features are available with just one click.

On top of system-related features, MacKeeper also provides online security from malware, viruses, and adware. MacKeeper even has a private VPN service that can protect your browsing data from ISP and other third parties.

If you want more support, they have got you covered there too with Premium services that cost up to 6 times to normal charges. They offer support to multiple devices, 24*7 support, personal maintenance program, hardware setup, web security setup, and privacy protection setup. MacKeeper is the best CCleaner alternative for Mac.

Price: 

• $11 per month / 1 PC – billed monthly | $132 per year
• $ 6 per month / 1 PC – billed annually | $72 per year
• $ 7.5 per month / 3 PC – billed annually | $89 per year

(Note that prices will change over time and as per user location)

Check out the base subscription | Click here for the premium subscription

Verdict:

MacKeeper can be your one-stop solution for nearly everything that you may expect from a PC assistant software. There is no MacKeeper alternative, however, there are a few other mac cleaners that are better than CCleaner for a Mac PC if you want our view on it!

2. Norton Utilities

Best Paid CCleaner Alternative (With System Performance Booster)

Pros

• Optimizes CPU, RAM, and Hard drive 
• Identifies start-up applications decreasing system performance 
• Real-time monitoring

Cons

• License limitations, the need to upgrade to paid plans
• Lacks Windows 10 specific features

Open-source and free software are spot-on for the performance boost they offer in the budget. They do not come even close to the paid version’s software.

Norton Utilities is just the software that can take care of all the system management requirements remotely. 

Cleans and speeding your PC is not just the solution to keep your system run like new. You need one software capable of optimizing the entire experience of using a PC.

Norton utility software is a trialware software that offers huge features and optimization features. This software optimizes the processing power, memory, and hard drive whenever a demanding application or software is launched.

Thus, allowing you complete access to the system resources for gaming, editing, or streaming by plugging all the leaks. It even identifies the start-up programs that are increasing the boot speed.

Its automated mode works only when your PC is sitting idle. Hence this software can easily be customized to optimize your software.

All these features are above the regular clean-up of your system and hard drive. Set this software for once and leave everything to Norton Utilities. No more spending time optimizing PC performance.

This software works only with Windows operating systems. 

Price: $15 (Note that prices will change over time and as per user location)

Check it Out Here!

Verdict

Norton Utilities is perfect for those who do not wish to upgrade their hardware but instead want to extract every bit of the performance for different tasks.

While the software comes at an affordable price, it is not meant to support multitasking.

1. AVG PC TuneUp

Best Paid CCleaner Alternative (Windows, Mac, and Android Combined)

Pros

• Works on both Windows and Mac devices
• Automated system clean-up and optimization
• Frees system resources using sleep mode on other applications

Cons

• Free version doesn’t offer any solution
• Performance improvement not on par with competitors

AVG is a well-known subsidiary of Avast that has brought forth its PC Tuneup product from both Windows and macOS. This software can practically revive your slower computer in a matter of a few clean-ups.

AVG PC TuneUp comes with a flagship sleep mode technology. It can free more space and processing capacity to significantly increase your PC performance.   

This software allows you to customize for automatic maintenance and clean-ups. Not only clean-ups, but this software can recommend uninstalling the software that you do not use.

AVG Tuneup also provides features to automatically upgrade your programs on pre-scheduled timings.

Perhaps the best bit of TuneUp is the sleep mode feature that puts to sleep all the applications eating your system memory.

On top of that, these applications can be revived automatically whenever you wish to. Pre-installed bloatware removal also becomes as simple as one click with AVG tune-up.  

The Mac version of AVG Tune-up can further remove duplicate files, erase unclear pictures while cleaning regular leftover junk files.

On Mac, it even offers the additional feature of streamlining the photo library, cleaning more disk space. AVG Tune-Up is a far better alternative to CCleaner.

Price: $15 for 1 device | $28 for 10 devices (Note that prices will change over time and as per user location)

Check it Out Here for Windows | MacOS

Verdict:

This software offers the best value for money when you have multiple devices to take care of.

Purchasing the bundled offer will allow different unique features on all three popular Mac, Windows, and Android platforms, somewhat better than CCleaner too.

We totally recommend it!

Conclusion

System junk is a reality and one of the reasons behind the slowing down of computers. PC users generally consider the online security suite as the only protection needed for their computers.

But on the contrary, junk and temporary files make your computer slower. Over time, when you use antivirus software on a PC with tons of junk files, the system feels very slow. This forces users to uninstall their antivirus protection. But the problem is behind the residue of uninstalled files and your usual digital junk.

Each of these CCleaner alternatives offers exceptional cleaning software that will allow you complete performance capabilities. Using system utility software is a must to protect your system from being overloaded by junk files.

FAQs