CleanMyMac alternative: how Macsential compares
CleanMyMac by MacPaw is one of the best-known Mac cleaners, and it does much more than clean. Macsential's Free Up Space is narrower: it clears the caches, logs and build data that fill a Mac and finds large files, as part of a one-time purchase. Here's how they compare.
The short answer
If you want malware removal, an app uninstaller and system maintenance in one place, stay with CleanMyMac. If what you need is to get disk space back from caches, logs, Xcode data, installers and large files, without a subscription, Macsential's Free Up Space does that, along with screen recording, screenshots, file conversion and window management.
CleanMyMac and Macsential compared
| Feature | CleanMyMac | Macsential |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $3.33 a month on MacPaw's site; $39.99 a year or $9.99 a month on the US Mac App Store | US$29.99 once for every tool, with a year of updates; the first licenses are free |
| How you pay | A yearly or monthly subscription, or a one-time purchase | One-time; renewing updates after a year is optional (US$9.99) |
| Trial and refund | A 7-day free trial with every feature; refunds within 30 days for most purchases, 14 days for monthly subscriptions | First licenses free; a 14-day refund, no questions asked |
| Requirements | MacOS 11 Big Sur or later | MacOS 15 Sequoia or later on Apple Silicon |
| Cleanup | System junk, duplicates and similar photos, large and forgotten files, and cloud storage | App caches, logs, Xcode and developer caches, installers, device backups, files of 500 MB or more |
| Malware removal | Yes, it finds and removes malware | No |
| App uninstaller | Yes, it uninstalls apps with their leftover files | No |
| Full Disk Access | It asks for Full Disk Access to scan every area of the Mac | Not needed; suggested only when macOS blocks a folder |
| What gets removed | It offers to remove only data that macOS and apps generate automatically, by default | Only the contents of listed folders in your home folder; installers, backups and large files go to the Trash |
| Other tools | Speed-up tools and an app updater | Screen recorder, screenshots, image and video converter, window manager |
Who should stay with CleanMyMac
- You want malware scanning and removal. CleanMyMac finds and removes malware; Macsential doesn't scan for malware at all.
- You uninstall apps often and want their leftover files gone too. CleanMyMac uninstalls apps with their leftover files; Macsential has no uninstaller.
- You want duplicate photo finding, cloud storage cleanup or maintenance tasks, which Macsential doesn't do.
- Your Mac runs macOS 11 to 14 or has an Intel chip. CleanMyMac supports macOS 11 Big Sur or later; Macsential needs macOS 15 on Apple Silicon.
Why switch to Macsential
- You'd rather pay once. Macsential is US$29.99 once, and the version you have keeps working if you don't renew updates.
- Your disk fills up with caches, logs and developer data. Free Up Space knows Xcode's DerivedData, simulator caches and device support, and npm, Bun, pnpm, Gradle and Cargo caches.
- You prefer a cleaner that touches less. Free Up Space only empties folders inside your home folder, never the folders themselves, doesn't need Full Disk Access, and sends installers, backups and large files to the Trash so you can take them back.
- You'd also use a screen recorder, a screenshot tool, a file converter or a window manager, and would rather have one app than several.
What Free Up Space doesn't do
Macsential isn't a security tool or a system optimizer. It doesn't scan for malware, uninstall apps, free up memory, run maintenance scripts or clean other users' files or system folders. If you rely on those, keep CleanMyMac, or use the built-in tools: see how to free up disk space on a Mac.
Sources
Everything this page says about CleanMyMac comes from its maker's own pages, checked on the date shown. Prices and features change; tell us at hello@macsential.com if something here is out of date.
- CleanMyMac, price: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, app store prices: apps.apple.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, purchase options: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, trial: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, refund: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, requirements: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, cleanup: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, malware: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, uninstaller: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, full disk access: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, safety: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, extras: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
- CleanMyMac, one time updates: macpaw.com, checked October 31, 2026
Related
- Disk Cleaner Clear caches, logs and Xcode build data, and find files over 500 MB, with nothing removed until you confirm.
- Free up disk space Get space back on a full Mac: Storage settings first, then what to delete by hand, then caches and build data.
- Find large files Find the biggest files on your Mac with Storage settings, Finder search, Terminal or Macsential, and remove them safely.
- Pricing One price for every tool, paid once: what a license includes, how the price steps up, and renewals.
More comparisons
- Magnet Magnet is an inexpensive window snapper from the Mac App Store. Macsential adds keyboard layouts and four more tools.
- Permute Permute converts far more formats, audio included. Macsential covers the common image and video conversions plus four more tools.
- Rectangle Rectangle is free and snaps dragged windows. Macsential uses the same shortcuts and adds recording, screenshots, conversion and cleanup.
Questions
Is CleanMyMac a subscription?
MacPaw offers a yearly or monthly subscription, or a one-time purchase. According to MacPaw, a one-time purchase gets updates only within its major version; subscriptions include future major versions.
Does Macsential remove malware?
No. Macsential's Free Up Space only clears caches, logs, build data, installers, backups and large files you choose.
Is it safe to let a cleaner delete caches?
Cache folders hold files apps can download or rebuild, so clearing them is generally safe; an app may be slower the first time. Macsential clears the contents of your Caches folder, never the folder itself.
Does Macsential need Full Disk Access?
No. It suggests it only if macOS blocks some folders from being read, and opens the setting for you. CleanMyMac asks for Full Disk Access to scan every area of the Mac.
Which Macs do they run on?
CleanMyMac supports macOS 11 Big Sur or later. Macsential needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later on a Mac with Apple Silicon.
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