What is the difference between CleanMyMac and CleanMyMac X?

5 min read

CleanMyMac vs CleanMyMac X — are they the same thing or completely different apps? I've seen this question a lot recently, and honestly, some of the threads on our favorite community forums are pretty confusing.

The company behind the apps (MacPaw) has been on the scene since 2008, but since they relaunched the all-new CleanMyMac in 2024, many users have asked: Is it a simple rebrand or a completely redesigned tool?

After testing both versions and comparing their features side by side, I can confirm it's not just a name change. The new CleanMyMac is a revamped app with reorganized tools, updated features, and new functionality, designed for newer Macs and Apple Silicon.

Below, I'll break down exactly what's changed, what's been added or removed, and which version suits different users.

CleanMyMac X: What the older version offered

OK, when it comes to the CleanMyMac X vs CleanMyMac debate, let's start by understanding what the original CleanMyMac X app did.

CleanMyMac X focused on cleaning, optimizing, and securing your Mac. Key modules included:

Smart Scan
System Junk, Mail Attachments, Trash Bins (as separate tools)
Malware Removal and Privacy modules
Optimization
Maintenance
Large & Old Files
Uninstaller / Updater
Space Lens

CleanMyMac X also had a Menu App for CPU and RAM monitoring, storage, and battery info. Some features, like RAM management and maintenance scripts, became redundant due to macOS sandboxing changes. By macOS 13–15, Apple had begun limiting what third-party apps could access or automate. That's likely why MacPaw changed direction.

The new version: What makes CleanMyMac different?

The latest CleanMyMac isn't just a redesign, it's a smarter, more focused upgrade built around how macOS works today.

MacPaw reorganized the app into clearer, task-oriented sections. Instead of juggling overlapping tools, you now get streamlined features that do more in fewer steps.

Instruments that used to live in separate areas have been combined where it makes sense, and new additions like Smart Care bring everyday cleanup, protection, and performance tasks into one automated flow.

It's all designed to help you care for your Mac with less effort and without needing to dig through every settings manual. Let's take a closer look at CleanMyMac vs CleanMyMac X differences.

Here are the key upgrades:

Feature Group	CleanMyMac X	New CleanMyMac
Smart routine	Smart Scan (3 tools: junk, threats, speed)	Smart Care (5 tools: junk, threats, performance, updates, duplicates)
Junk cleaning	Separate modules for System Junk, Mail Attachments, Trash	Cleanup (merged into one tool)
Malware removal + privacy	Separate modules	Merged into one Protection tool
Optimization + maintenance	Login items, maintenance scripts, purgeable space, hung apps	Performance module (simplified, with Time Machine thinning and fewer tasks)
App tools	Uninstaller + Updater	Applications (adds app installer removal and system updater)
Storage tools	Large & Old Files, Space Lens	My Clutter, Space Lens, Cloud Cleanup (added)
Cloud storage	Not available	Cloud Cleanup added in new version
Menu App	CleanMyMac X Menu	Same, but with new health score UI

Core features: CleanMyMac vs CleanMyMac X difference

It's pretty clear that MacPaw has focused on simplifying core functionality. Here's a detailed look at the five main features that define the new version:

1. Protection

This feature combines malware removal with privacy features that were previously split into separate sections, while also managing sensitive data like application permissions, recent items, and browsing history.

CleanMyMac - Protection scan results

What's changed:

Privacy tools are now integrated directly into Protection.
Open Wi-Fi network removal has been limited due to the changes in macOS architecture; this requires using System Settings instead.

Best used for: Removing threats and securing app-level privacy data

2. Performance

Performance brings together login item management, background process control, and essential maintenance tasks into one place. These tasks include repairing disk permissions, freeing up purgeable space, flushing DNS cache, reindexing Spotlight, and speeding up Mail. If you still run an older macOS version, you will also be able to run periodic scripts.

Performance module in CMM

What's changed:

No more "Free Up RAM" button (for Apple silicon; you can still see it if you have an Intel-based Mac), real-time memory management now lives in the Menu App.
Maintenance tasks have been reduced and streamlined for faster access.

Best used for: Smoothing out slowdowns, especially after OS updates or app installations

3. My Clutter

My Clutter replaces the older Large & Old Files feature and expands it with new file discovery tools. It can now detect duplicates, similar photos, and forgotten downloads, offering a better way to clear storage without guessing.

My Clutter module of CleanMyMac

What's changed:

Adds duplicate and similar image detection.
Combines storage organization with cleanup, tailored for users with large media libraries.

Best used for: Freeing up large chunks of space intelligently

4. Applications

This feature now handles all app-related tasks, such as uninstalling, updating, and resetting apps as well as removing old installation files. It merges the Uninstaller and Updater into one control center, making it easier to manage all your installed software.

Updater module of CleanMyMac

What's changed:

You can now remove app installers and reset apps to their original state.
Tracks unused apps and shows installation footprint.
Also flags outdated apps and includes a mass update tool.

Best used for: Keeping your apps tidy, up to date, and lightweight

5. Cloud Cleanup

This is a completely new addition. Cloud Cleanup connects to services like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, and OneDrive to help manage synced files, clear out cloud storage, and avoid unnecessary upgrades to paid storage tiers.

Cloud Cleanup feature in CleanMyMac

What's changed:

This didn't exist in CleanMyMac X; it's a new module built for 2025's cloud-first macOS ecosystem.
Identifies duplicate cloud files, large cloud backups, and files taking up unnecessary space locally.

Best used for: Managing cloud clutter and optimizing limited online storage space

If you're comparing CleanMyMac vs CleanMyMac X, the answer is clear: the new CleanMyMac isn't just an update, it's a reimagined toolkit built for modern macOS.

If you're not sure where to start, Smart Care, in my opinion, is the easiest entry point. I recommend running it weekly; it's fast, automatic, and combines the most important scans into one quick pass. Here's how:

Open the app — get your free trial here.
Open and launch Smart Care > Scan.
See what's found and enjoy optimizing your Mac.

CleanMyMac - Smart Scan complete

As a final note, I'd say this app is way more than a cleanup tool, and it finally feels like it's built around how we actually use our machines in 2025.