🧹 10 CCleaner Alternatives for Windows, Mac & Linux
CCleaner has been around forever, but it's definitely not the only option for cleaning temporary files, removing unwanted programs, and freeing up disk space.
I figured I'd put together a list of some good alternatives. I've included both free/open-source and paid options for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
🪟 Windows
1. BleachBit — Free & Open Source
Probably one of the first alternatives I'd recommend if you just want something simple and free.
BleachBit can remove browser caches, temporary files, cookies, logs, and other unnecessary files. It's also completely open source.
Platforms: Windows & Linux
Price: Free
Website: https://www.bleachbit.org/
2. Microsoft PC Manager — Free
Microsoft actually has its own PC cleanup and optimization utility now.
PC Manager includes storage cleanup, startup management, process management, and other basic Windows maintenance features.
If you'd rather use something directly from Microsoft, this is worth checking out.
Platform: Windows
Price: Free
Website: https://pcmanager.microsoft.com/
3. Glary Utilities — Free / Paid
Glary Utilities is probably one of the closest alternatives to CCleaner in terms of having a bunch of utilities packaged together.
It includes disk cleanup, startup management, duplicate-file tools, uninstall tools, privacy features, and more.
Platform: Windows
Price: Free version available
Website: https://www.glarysoft.com/
4. Wise Disk Cleaner — Free
If you don't need a huge collection of optimization tools and mainly want to clean unnecessary files, Wise Disk Cleaner is a simpler option.
It scans for temporary files, browser data, system junk, and other files that can safely be removed.
Platform: Windows
Price: Free
Website: https://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-disk-cleaner.html
5. PrivaZer — Free / Donation
PrivaZer puts more emphasis on privacy than some of the other programs on this list.
It can clean browsing traces, temporary files, old system data, and other information left behind while using your computer.
Platform: Windows
Price: Free with donor version available
Website: https://privazer.com/
🗑️ Uninstalling Programs & Leftover Files
6. Revo Uninstaller — Free / Paid
Revo is less of a general PC cleaner and more focused on completely removing programs.
After uninstalling something, it can scan for leftover files, folders, and registry entries that the normal Windows uninstaller may leave behind.
Platform: Windows
Price: Free version available
Website: https://www.revouninstaller.com/
7. Bulk Crap Uninstaller — Free & Open Source
The name pretty much explains what it does. 😂
Bulk Crap Uninstaller (BCUninstaller) is designed for removing lots of unwanted programs quickly, including applications that can sometimes be difficult to uninstall normally.
It's also open source.
Platform: Windows
Price: Free
Website: https://www.bcuninstaller.com/
🍎 macOS
8. CleanMyMac — Paid
For Mac users, CleanMyMac is probably one of the most recognizable alternatives.
It combines storage cleanup, application removal, maintenance tools, and other utilities into one interface.
Unlike several options on this list, however, it's primarily a paid product.
Platform: macOS
Price: Paid
Website: https://macpaw.com/cleanmymac
9. OnyX — Free
OnyX has been around for years and is a great option for people who want a free macOS maintenance utility.
It provides access to maintenance, cleanup, cache management, and various macOS configuration options.
Make sure you download the version specifically designed for your version of macOS.
Platform: macOS
Price: Free
Website: https://www.titanium-software.fr/en/onyx.html
🐧 Linux
10. Stacer — Free & Open Source
Stacer is aimed primarily at Linux users and provides a graphical interface for monitoring and maintaining your system.
It includes startup application management, system monitoring, package management, and cleanup functionality.
Platform: Linux
Price: Free & Open Source
Website: https://github.com/oguzhaninan/Stacer
⭐ Which One Should You Use?
If you're looking for a simple free CCleaner replacement, I'd start with BleachBit.
For Windows users who want something straightforward from Microsoft, Microsoft PC Manager is worth checking out.
If your main goal is completely removing unwanted software, check out Revo Uninstaller or Bulk Crap Uninstaller.
Mac users should look at OnyX if they want something free, while CleanMyMac offers a more polished all-in-one package.
One final tip: be careful with any "PC optimizer" that promises massive performance improvements or aggressively cleans the Windows registry. Deleting temporary files can free up storage, but you don't need to constantly "optimize" a modern computer to keep it running properly.
Know of another good CCleaner alternative? Post it below and I'll add it to the list.
