MacCleaner Pro Review 2025, with Pros and Cons
This post is an all-around review of MacCleaner Pro, introducing its pros, cons, and best alternatives.
As a long-time Mac user, I’ve faced the all-too-familiar frustration of a slowing macOS. Over time, my MacBook Pro began to feel sluggish, and junk files quickly consumed the precious Mac storage. Fortunately, Mac cleaning and optimizing tools are never in short supply, and MacCleaner Pro is definitely one of the giants that you’ve heard of.
This tool promises to optimize Mac performance by cleaning up unnecessary files, improving speed, and managing storage. How does it perform in real life? Here’s my honest review of MacCleaner Pro after trying this prominent name in the field.
Is MacCleaner Pro legit?
When it comes to system optimization software for Mac, I fully understand your concern about whether it’s legitimate or just another app that promises more than it delivers.
MacCleaner Pro, designed by Ukrainian developer Nektony, is notarized by Apple. It clearly outlines what it can and can’t do. It’s capable of deleting data from your Mac, but it makes certain that nothing essential to your Mac's security or functionality is compromised.
Plus, with a large number of positive reviews and testimonials from real users, MacCleaner Pro has built a solid reputation in the Mac optimization space over the years. So, rest assured and enjoy it.
Pricing
MacCleaner offers three major billing plans. You can choose a monthly, yearly, or lifetime subscription.
1 Mac | 2 Mac | 5 Mac | |
---|---|---|---|
Monthly | 9.95/mo | 14.95/mo | 23.95/mo |
Annually | 3.33/mo | 4.44/mo | 7.77/mo |
One-time | 85.95 | 129.95 | 199.95 |
Pros of MacCleaner Pro
MacCleaner Pro updates itself by version, and the good news is that it stays true to its original intention, which is to offer a better Mac cleaning experience. Let’s see what you can get from it.
Entering MacCleaner Pro, it consists of the core application and several specialized modules. The download and installation process was fast and smooth, by the way.
Similar to other Mac cleaners, the homepage of MacCleaner Pro handles general disk cleaning and frees up storage space by removing junk files, while directing users to the appropriate modules as needed, including:
- App Uninstaller
- Space Analyzer
- Duplicate Finder
- Memory Cleaner
- Funter
App Uninstaller
Unlike traditional methods to uninstall an app on Mac, where you simply drag an app to the trash, App Uninstaller by MacCleaner Pro ensures that not only the app itself is uninstalled, but also its associated files, such as cache files, configuration files, and logs, are completely removed.
Plus, compared to the previous version, this module has been enhanced to provide easier access to startup programs and extension files, giving you the ability to enable, disable, or remove them.
Duplicate Finder
The Duplicate Finder module in MacCleaner Pro is highly effective at identifying and removing duplicate files, such as multiple copies of the same image occupying space here and there on your Mac.
What’s best is that it isn't limited to local files on your Mac. It can also search for and remove duplicates across iCloud storage. It's recommended to take your time to refine your search before hitting the delete button, especially if you’re dealing with important files like those stored in cloud storage or backups.
Memory Cleaner
This is probably my personal favourite and frequently used module. The Memory Cleaner is integrated with the macOS Menu Bar, giving me easy access to monitor my Mac's memory usage in real time. With one simple click, I can manually release memory that's being used inefficiently.
The module also offers an Automatically Free Up option, which can be enabled to automatically optimize RAM usage whenever necessary.
Funter
Funter is another interesting feature I’d like to mention, just like its name. First, it works like a charm when sniffing out hidden files, which are difficult to find through Finder. Plus, the latest version includes an updated indexing process. While the initial scan might take some time, the improved indexing ensures that subsequent searches are quicker and more efficient.
No Overreach with Additional Services
Unlike some competitors, such as Avast, MacCleaner Pro doesn’t try to sell extra services like antivirus or data recovery, which keeps the focus on what it does best: Mac system cleaning and optimization. For those who hate bloatware, MacCleaner Pro does a great job avoiding that.
Cons of MacCleaner Pro
There are also some flaws during my test. However, one’s flaw may be another’s asset. Here’s what I think MacCleaner needs improvement.
Single, Monthly License Is Expensive
Pricing is probably the most talked-about drawback by users so far. Although it does offer a free trial, the free version only lasts for 2 days and supports up to 1 GB of junk cleaning, tops. Other than that, there’s pretty much nothing to do with the tool.
The monthly subscription option can be seen as expensive, especially when compared to the one-time purchase plan. What’s worse, one user who purchased the one-time plan before now is asked to pay for the monthly plan.
Separate Apps Feel Disjointed
While having separate apps is a plus in terms of reduced bloat, sometimes it makes me feel fragmented. The various modules can seem disjointed and lack integration, which may not be ideal for users who prefer a more unified tool.
Redundant Warnings and Permissions Requests
Occasionally, redundant warnings (e.g., about macOS Sonoma disk space) pop up even when I’m already using the latest version of macOS. Additionally, the software asks for permission to access certain areas of the system after the cleaning process has begun. Odd.
Slow Scanning Process
More than one module takes quite a long time to finish scanning. For example, the Disk Space Analyzer and the Memory Cleaner spend dozens of minutes scanning large drives and indexing the data.
Best Alternatives to MacCleaner Pro
With all pros and cons being said, if you're looking for alternatives to MacCleaner Pro, BuhoCleaner and CCleaner are two solid options that offer similar features for cleaning and optimizing your Mac.
BuhoCleaner
BuhoCleaner is a newer but worth-trying Mac cleaning tool. It is specifically designed to clean up junk files and optimize your Mac’s performance, with an emphasis on simplicity and speed. BuhoCleaner offers a streamlined approach, perfect for users who want a lightweight and easy-to-use tool.
Moreover, BuhoCleaner costs only $14.99 per year for a single Mac, which is almost one-third the price of MacCleaner, saving you a significant amount. Why not try BuhoCleaner for a cost-effective Mac cleaning plan?
CCleaner
CCleaner is another big name in terms of Mac system cleaning. It scans and removes junk files, duplicate images, and cookies, freeing up space and improving performance just as MacCleaner does.
Beyond that, it maintains your privacy by clearing your browsing history and removing sensitive autofill information. If you value privacy and security features, CCleaner is a good alternative to MacCleaner.
Verdict: Should You Buy MacCleaner Pro?
In conclusion, MacCleaner Pro is a highly effective and dedicated tool for cleaning and optimizing Mac performance. It excels at cleaning up junk files, managing disk space, and improving system speed. However, it does come with a few downsides, such as its price tag, limited free trial, and occasional false alarms.
If you're serious about keeping your Mac in top shape and don’t mind paying for a premium solution, MacCleaner Pro is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you’re just looking for a basic cleanup tool or are on a tight budget, check out the alternatives above that meet your needs.
Clare Phang has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of the iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.