4 Best Open Source CleanMyMac Alternatives
A curated collection of the 4 best open source and self-hosted alternatives to CleanMyMac in 2026.
Looking for a free, privacy-friendly, or self-hosted replacement for CleanMyMac in 2026? The top open-source alternative is Mole — Native Mac cleaner and system monitor.
Other highly rated open-source CleanMyMac alternatives include Pearcleaner, BleachBit and Onyx.
Native Mac cleaner and system monitor
Mole is a native Mac application designed to help users clean up their system, manage applications, and monitor performance. It consolidates multiple tools into a single app, making it easier to maintain a healthy and efficient macOS environment. - Clean: Remove caches, logs, and temporary files with granular control and safety checks. - Software: Update, uninstall, and manage apps with support for Sparkle, App Store, Homebrew, and more. - Optimize: Maintain system performance by cleaning Quick Look, metadata, and macOS services. - Analyze: Visualize disk usage with an interactive treemap to identify large files and folders. - Status: Monitor real-time CPU, memory, GPU, disk, network, battery, and fan metrics. - Menu Bar HUD: Access live system metrics and privacy alerts directly from the menu bar. - Privacy-First: All scans and cleanups stay local; no files or data are uploaded. - Lifetime Updates: One-time purchase covers updates for two Macs. Mole is a native macOS application and does not require self-hosting. It is available as a standalone download from the official website. The app is built for macOS 14+ and offers a CLI tool for advanced users.
Open-source macOS app cleaner
Pearcleaner is a source-available macOS app cleaner inspired by Freemacsoft's AppCleaner and Sun Knudsen's Privacy Guides. It helps users thoroughly remove applications and their associated files to free up disk space and enhance privacy. - App Removal: Easily uninstall macOS applications and remove leftover files. - Privacy Focus: Designed to protect user privacy by cleaning residual data. - Lightweight: Minimal resource usage for efficient performance. - User-Friendly: Simple and intuitive interface for easy navigation. - Source-Available: Transparent and open-source codebase for trust and customization. - Regular Updates: Actively maintained with frequent improvements and bug fixes. Pearcleaner is a native macOS application and does not require self-hosting. It can be installed via Homebrew for easy setup: brew install --cask pearcleaner The source code is available on GitHub for review and contributions.
Open-source disk cleaner and privacy manager
BleachBit is a powerful, open-source disk space cleaner and privacy manager for Windows and Linux. It helps users obliterate junk files, shred sensitive data, and keep systems running efficiently without bloatware or hidden agendas. - Junk File Removal: Wipes temporary files, browser caches, logs, and hidden junk to recover gigabytes of storage. - Privacy Protection: Erases browsing history, cookies, saved passwords, and application traces to prevent digital footprints. - Secure Deletion: Permanently destroys files beyond recovery using secure deletion methods or fast mode for speed. - Preview & Control: Shows every file before deletion, allowing users to preview and delete only what they want. - Cross-Platform: Supports modern and legacy Windows versions, as well as Linux desktops, servers, and embedded systems. - Automation & Scripting: Enables system administrators to automate cleanup across entire fleets using CLI and scripting. - Custom CleanerML Rules: Allows power users to create custom rules to target any application or file pattern. - Advanced Deletion Modes: Provides forensics and IT professionals with advanced deletion options for data sanitization and security. BleachBit is a desktop application that runs locally on your system. It does not require a server or self-hosting. The software is open-source under the GPLv3 license and is available for free with no ads or upsells. It works entirely offline and does not require registration or license activation.
Open-source enterprise search & AI assistant
Onyx is an open-source AI enterprise search platform that transforms how teams access and interact with company knowledge. By connecting to all your apps, documents, and people, Onyx delivers accurate, context-aware answers grounded in your team's data. - Deep Research & AI Chat: Advanced research capabilities with MCP, code interpreter, web search, and contextual retrieval for precise answers. - Real-Time Syncs: Plug-and-play connectors that sync updates across all your apps while respecting fine-grained access controls. - Hybrid Search & RAG: Combines hybrid search, advanced RAG, and LLM-based knowledge graphs for reliable, trustworthy responses. - Customizable & Transparent: Flexible configuration for LLM providers, search settings, and developer tools with full code transparency. - Enterprise Security: Built with SOC 2 Type II compliance, GDPR adherence, and granular permissions for secure deployments. - Developer-Friendly: Modular architecture with clean interfaces, built-in agent framework, and extensive documentation. - Benchmarked Performance: Tested on 99 real workplace questions across 220K documents, outperforming major AI assistants in blind evaluations. - Use Case Coverage: Improves productivity across engineering, sales, support, and company-wide teams with tailored AI solutions. Onyx is fully open-source and can be self-hosted on any infrastructure. The platform supports flexible deployment options, including cloud and on-premises, with transparent usage tracking and customizable configurations. Comprehensive self-hosting guides and developer documentation are available to ensure smooth deployment and integration.
About CleanMyMac
CleanMyMac is an all-in-one Mac cleaner and maintenance app designed to keep your system optimized and secure. It handles junk files, malware, performance issues, and storage clutter with minimal effort, making your Mac run faster and more efficiently.
Key Features of CleanMyMac
- Smart Cleaning: Deep cleans system junk, caches, and unnecessary files to free up valuable storage space.
- Malware Removal: Scans and neutralizes potential threats before they cause harm, ensuring your Mac stays protected.
- Performance Boost: Optimizes memory and CPU usage to keep your Mac running smoothly even during intensive tasks.
- App Uninstaller: Removes apps completely, including leftover data, to prevent clutter and improve security.
- Duplicate & Clutter Finder: Identifies and removes duplicate files and similar photos to streamline your storage.
- Cloud Storage Cleanup: Manages and cleans up cloud storage by removing redundant files and large items.
- Software Updates: Keeps all your software up to date to enhance security and stability.
- Smart Care Routine: Performs five optimization tasks in one click, including deep cleaning, threat scanning, performance boosting, software updates, and storage decluttering.
Tech / Self-Hosting
CleanMyMac is a proprietary desktop application for macOS. It is not open-source and does not require self-hosting. The software is developed and maintained by MacPaw, a company based in Ukraine.