AppCleaner alternatives: Better ways to uninstall Mac apps

If you’re looking for AppCleaner alternatives, you’ve landed in the right spot. But first, I just want to clarify I'm talking about the free uninstaller from FreeMacSoft, not App Cleaner & Uninstaller from Nektony; that’s a totally different product. I thought I’d mention it now because so many users get these two mixed up.

AppCleaner is a pretty good tool, it’s free as I mentioned already, and I quite like it’s simple drag and drop style cleanup, plus you don’t have to make an account, but it does have it’s limitations and I think honestly that’s probably the reason, people seek out different options, if you’re a power user, or you use a lot of heavy tools, like anything from the Adobe creative suit of XCode, then you’ve probably already discovered, it doesn’t remove all files, when you’re trying to clean up.

Here are five other tools I tried out, each a little different, so you can find one that fits your exact needs.

What AppCleaner gets right

Before you jet off into an AppCleaner alternatives rabbit hole, it’s worth considering what it’s good at, and in my opinion, the fact you don’t have to make an account is a big plus point, because that also links into the fact it doesn’t collect data too. It’s got a nice, simple drag-and-drop UX, an intuitive SmartDelete feature, and it’s made by a trusted Mac developer, FreeMacSoft.

If you only need simple, surface cleaning, you might not ever need to look further, but nowadays, we all find ourselves installing apps that come with launch agents, extensions, and apps that embed and leave behind residue, and sadly, AppCleaner doesn’t always spot the leftovers, and it can't remove System-protected apps or App Store apps with SIP protection.

Something else that got me searching for a different tool was that AppCleaner is missing some cleanup functions, which, quite frankly, in 2026, almost feel standard now. I’m talking things like the ability to remove my browser extensions, even help me manage my startup items, and check for malware, but it just doesn’t come with any of that.

I also noticed a few threads online that referenced users being nervous about giving it full disk access. That’s personal and depends on what kind of cleanup you need. I must say it’s not that unusual, but I do understand user caution around this.

AppCleaner alternatives

1. CleanMyMac

CleanMyMac is the best option for anyone out there who wants a proper all-in-one kind of tool.

It comes with a ton of features, all under one subscription. I really rate its Applications feature, which actually removes apps cleanly, including any launch agents, leftover support files, or caches, and old installers that AppCleaner sometimes leaves behind.

I also like that it lets you update all your apps and check for macOS updates from one screen. Beyond uninstalling apps, it also has other features: 

• Protection (malware scanner) 

• Cleanup (system junk, mail attachments, Trash) 

• Performance (login items and system maintenance routines)

• My Clutter (duplicates and similar images)

It’s also Apple-notarized, which I think is pretty important these days, and it’s built by MacPaw, a Mac-first developer with 18 years of experience.

For me, the downside is that it only comes with a free seven-day trial, but you can properly test everything, nothing is locked, and then subscriptions start from $9.95 per month.

Try CleanMyMac for free.

2. App Cleaner & Uninstaller (Nektony)

App Cleaner & Uninstaller (The confusing-name cousin of AppCleaner) is the best dedicated uninstaller for power users. It has quite a powerful system scan, which is great at finding launch agents, kext extensions, forgotten browser plugins, and even system extensions. I like the fact that you can also manage your startup items. I guess its downside is it’s really only focused on uninstalling apps; you have to pay for other features, which means there’s no malware removal or junk cleanup. Prices start at $40 a year or a one-time payment option.

3. Pearcleaner

Pearcleaner is, in my opinion, one of the best open-source options out there right now. I’d say it’s quite inspired by AppCleaner: it’s got that similar lightweight drag-and-drop concept and the code is auditable, which for some, will address the Full-Disk-Access trust concern.

Its limits are that it’s a smaller company, which at the moment means it’s a bit slower to update for new macOS releases, but it’s free, so for many that's the payoff.

4. TrashMe

TrashMe has, I think, the best balance of simplicity and depth. You can remove apps and manage your Trash. I like the selective Trash emptying option, but it’s a bit limited in terms of that's literally all it does, so no system maintenance at all. It’s also only a one-time purchase option.

5. Mole

If you’re comfortable in Terminal, then Mole is a good option. It’s a free, open-source command-line uninstaller with deep artifact removal, plus disk analysis and a live system dashboard. Its downside is obvious; it is not for non-technical users.

How to choose

It has to come down to what you actually need, so if you want one app for everything, I’d pick CleanMyMac every time. If you really only want to uninstall apps properly and you’re willing to pay, then App Cleaner & Uninstaller from Nektony is great. If open-source code is non-negotiable for you, then choose between Pearcleaner and Mole. Some people want a one-time purchase, so then I’d say go with TrashMe. But if you're comfortable in Terminal, then Mole is a great choice.