vs AppCleaner

App Cleaner & Uninstaller for Mac: Best Options Compared

June 7, 2026·1 min read

What You Need

A good app cleaner and uninstaller for Mac should: find all associated files when removing an app, clean system caches and junk, work reliably on modern macOS, and ideally be free.

Free Options

**AppCleaner** — Best free app uninstaller. Drag-and-drop interface finds Library leftovers. Doesn't do system cleanup.

**Reclaim Mac** — Best free system cleaner. Scans caches, dev files, installers. Pair with AppCleaner for complete app cleaner and uninstaller coverage on Mac.

Reclaim Mac finds and removes junk files automatically.

Paid Options

**App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony** — $20 one-time. Good app removal with extensions and login items management. Also shows remaining files from previously deleted apps.

**CleanMyMac X** — $40/year. Most comprehensive but expensive. Includes app uninstaller, system cleaner, and malware scanner.

Best Value

AppCleaner + Reclaim Mac (both free) gives you complete app cleaner and uninstaller functionality for Mac without spending anything.

Clean your Mac in 60 seconds

Lifetime license. Offline. No subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a paid app cleaner and uninstaller?

No. AppCleaner (free) + Reclaim Mac (free) cover app removal and system cleanup completely.

What's the difference between AppCleaner and App Cleaner & Uninstaller?

AppCleaner is free and simpler. App Cleaner & Uninstaller by Nektony is paid ($20) with more features.

Which app cleaner finds the most leftover files?

Dedicated uninstallers like AppCleaner find 85-95% of leftovers. Adding system cleanup tools catches the rest.