MacPaw CleanMyMac review 2025

MacPaw has been developing software solutions for Mac since 2008, and for its last anniversary, the company updated one of its most esteemed products. CleanMyMac has long been the staple of the Kyiv-based enterprise as one of the best MacOS-exclusive anti-malwares.

Even so, many less tech-savvy users are stating it doesn’t really offer much beyond what integrated OS functions can already do. That’s why I’ve decided to create this comprehensive MacPaw CleanMyMac review to see if they’re right. Together with my Cybernews expert team, I’ve explored each of the newly updated functions to give an in-depth guide.

At a glance, the software does forcefully run some MacOS features like the AppUninstaller and system cleaner. There’s also a valid point that some free antiviruses like Avast, AVG, and TotalAV perform similar detection tasks. So, what’s the point in paying for a CleanMyMac subscription? This is one of the main points I'll address below.

Quick overview of MacPaw CleanMyMac

Before I dive into the details of MacPaw CleanMyMac, I’ll give you a brief overview to help you better understand its functions:

Rating	4.7 out of 5.0
Price	$39.95/device/year
Key features	New Smart Care test for identifying malware, viruses, junk, and file duplicates, anti-clutter, MacHealth analysis
Privacy protection	Available
Phishing protection	Available
Customer support	24/7

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What is MacPaw CleanMyMac, and how does it work?

MacPaw’s CleanMyMac is essentially an antivirus and anti-malware software used to identify and remove harmful files from your MacOS device. However, it does much more and in the most user-friendly way possible.

Before I explain its features, let’s deal with the most common question: How does CleanMyMac work? It’s a software app that you can set up and install on your device, and it will run in the background of your system.

Now, I have to address the point from the start of this guide. Many users complain that the software simply forces some MacOS system features to run in more frequent cycles. However, that’s not entirely true. I say entirely since it does truly use some existing Mac features like the Uninstaller.

Even so, it does a great job of tidying up after itself. You see, the system Uninstaller leaves traces, data, and files behind after removing applications, which continue to run in the background of your system, slowing your Mac down.

That’s where CleanMyMac jumps in and completely removes those bits, kickstarting the optimal operation phase of your system. It does the same with other segments of the system – it diligently scans for harmful software, removes it, and declutters your system.

Plus, the software accomplishes all of this while retaining a stylish design for which MacPaw has been repeatedly praised. The latest update this year gave us the most intuitive layout yet, so it’s now perfectly optimized for beginners.

Pros and cons of MacPaw CleanMyMac

While I do agree that CleanMyMac MacPaw does a great job of keeping your system running smoothly, I have to say it’s by no means perfect. Here’s an overview of the main pros and cons of its features:

Key features of MacPaw CleanMyMac

The best way of answering the question of “Is MacPaw CleanMyMac worth it?” is by going over its main features. Some of them were introduced with the latest update, so here’s everything you need to know about each.

Smart Care

Smart Care is one of the recent additions that boosted the MacPaw CleanMyMac ratings, thanks to its immense practicality. It’s essentially an all-in-one optimizer feature found at the top of the functions bar in your CleanMyMac app.

Click on it, and it will scan your device for five main categories – junk, threats, running tasks, app updates, and duplicates. It will find and display all the junk files on your device so you can review and remove them. The same goes for threats, only this time it detects harmful files such as viruses and malware.

Beyond that, the feature helps you check which tasks are running in the background of your system, slowing it down as you work or play. You can review them and use the task manager to close such operations. Finally, you can manage apps by automatically updating them and removing duplicates to free up some room.

Speed boost

If you’ve noticed your device isn’t performing well, you can use the Performance feature of this tool to pinpoint the issue. It will run recommended tasks with the single goal of optimizing your MacOS performance.

Based on the system scan, it will give you suggestions for optimal performance. For instance, it might display some cache that needs to be removed or identify RAM memory clogs and recommend a fix.

I also liked the feature that tells you if your privacy is compromised by third-party apps running in the background. You can resolve them and bump up your system speed.

Malware removal

While many users still wonder, “Is MacPaw CleanMyMac safe?”, what you should be asking instead is how safe it can make your device. If you want an answer, simply click the “Protection” feature from the menu. I’ve already tested it, and it appears to identify the following harmful items:

• Trojans
• Viruses
• Malware
• Keyloggers

I particularly liked the Protection sub-feature that shows internet browser trackers. If any files are compromising your online browsing privacy, CleanMyMac will remove them for good.

Also, it will enable you to review all the harmful files listed by category so you can understand what’s slowing you down. Naturally, there’s a Remove button that permanently pulls them out of your system.

Privacy protection

Along with browser trackers, this tool also allows you to find and remove other types of online logs. If there’s anything that tracks your online activity, whether it’s cookies, history, or item lists, CleanMyMac offers a quick solution.

You can remove them and keep browsing regularly with increased convenience. The privacy aspect is part of the Protection feature, so you just need to click on it to run a privacy scan.

Moonlock Engine

Last but not least, Moonlock Engine runs the entire framework of the tool’s anti-malware systems. I find it to be extremely reassuring to know that it successfully passed the AV-TEST. For those of you unaware, it’s an audit conducted by the most renowned third-party cyber-security institute.

What makes Moonlock Engine different from previous versions of CleanMyMac is the increased scanning speed. Namely, it now executes its scans twice as fast without affecting your device’s operation during that time. On top of that, the MacPaw team also expanded the scanning reach to USB drives, extensions, archives, and even DMG disk images.

MacPaw CleanMyMac pricing and plans

Now we come to the aspect most users are curious about – pricing. Unless you’ve got an exclusive CleanMyMac coupon, it can get pretty costly, especially if you’re running it on multiple devices. Here’s an overview of its plans:

Plan	Pricing breakdown	Number of devices
Plan for 1 Mac	$39.95/year	Single device only
Plan for 2 Macs	$63.95/year	Up to two devices
Plan for 5 Macs	$127.95/year	Up to three devices

It’s worth noting that you can also get a one-time plan, in which case you’d be looking at a $119.95 price tag for unlimited use. Or, you can choose an annual subscription and cut the cost, reducing the 1-Mac plan to $3.33/month via a single, $39.95 annual payment.

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MacPaw CleanMyMac user experience

To demonstrate the value of this tool, I decided to test it myself. Let me finally address the question, “Is CleanMyMac X legit?” Of course, the first thing I did was switch on the Smart Care function. It immediately gave me some important test results, starting with the Junk Cleaner.

As expected, my Mac had quite a few log files and broken system items in need of removal. So, that’s exactly what I did. Next, it ran the threat protection cycle and detected a few harmful files. Fortunately, it wasn’t anything too dramatic, so it removed them in a flash.

I also used the task manager tool and took the chance to update a few of my apps. Luckily, there were no duplicate files, but I see the point of the decluttering option. It removes any leftovers from deleted files and apps that just clog the system space and relieves your MacOS.

I quickly started to grasp the benefits of using this tool. I hate to admit it, but I had the feeling I was using a completely different system rather than my regular Mac while on the app. There's just something about it that makes you feel like you're using some fancy and new software.

I quickly recovered and continued to review important features like the Uninstaller. This one is interesting since I’ve seen reports stating it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. However, it does keep you covered in terms of the complete removal of apps you haven’t used in a while.

Even so, unlike the built-in Mac Uninstaller, this one does it more thoroughly and removes the last bit of data by removing all leftover files. I found that to be especially important since it keeps your system optimized and, therefore, speeds it up.

Getting started with CleanMyMac

Now that you’ve got all the details, I’ll guide you through the steps of setting the tool up on your device. It all starts with the MacPaw CleanMyMac download process, which takes just a few minutes.

Download and install

The first step of using this tool is rather simple, and it just requires you to download the app file. You can find it on the main site or visit the App Store, whatever suits you the most. As MacPaw suggests, it might be better to get it directly since the functionalities may differ.

Once you download it, you can navigate to the upper-right corner and click on the Unlock Full Version button. From there, you’ll be able to subscribe, but I suggest trying the 7-day trial first. You can also make use of the money-back guarantee within 30 days from purchase.

Open the app

Once you’ve subscribed, go ahead and open the app. You’ll be able to see its intuitive menu, although I wouldn’t call it a menu per se. Instead, it features a few useful icons for managing device speed, cleaning harmful software, and decluttering.

I suggest trying it out by moving one feature at a time and running the scans. That way, you can see them all in action firsthand.

Run a scan

Now it's time to put it to the test by running a scan of your choice. You’ll have quite a few options, including the regular system scan, performance scan, or malware checkup. To initiate one, just click on the corresponding icon, and the system will handle it for you.

Explore extras

The functionality of CleanMyMac doesn’t end with scans – you can also put its additional features to the test. I’d suggest trying the decluttering tool first, as it might additionally boost the speed of your device. We all have duplicate files in our systems, and it is wise to remove them.

Moving on, you can try the App Updater and Uninstaller to see how they differ from the one integrated into your MacOS. Overall, there are plenty of new extras with this version, and I’d recommend running a Mac Health scan occasionally as the finishing touch.

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MacPaw CleanMyMac alternatives

Considering that CleanMyMac isn’t a fully fledged antivirus (due to its lack of webpage scanner), I’ve compared it with other Mac optimizers. I mainly wanted to see how it stacks up against tools like CCleaner.

As it turns out, CCleaner is a multi-platform solution for Windows, Mac, and even Android. While that makes it sound as if it’s a better pick, I’d still go with CleanMyMac since it’s specifically designed for Mac. It has far more benefits, such as cleaning large and old files, emails, and browsing logs. It also comes with an app updater and personalized cleanup tips. Interestingly, it does lack CCleaner’s feature for overwriting unused space.

I also wanted to see how it compares to some open-source stuff, so I stacked it up against OnyX. This AI assistant cleans your Mac in much longer cycles, so most users intend it for monthly or annual cleanups.

My tests showed that CleanMyMac does trail behind in a few categories, such as managing folder visibility and overall Mac customization. However, it has some way more attractive features. Most importantly, OnyX doesn’t even have full malware removal, so MacPaw’s solution wins again.

Finally, I rounded it up with MacKeeper. This time, the comparison was a bit tougher, as this option has an integrated VPN with an ID theft guard. Both features are useful, but it doesn’t have custom cleaning tips or an option to scan external drives. While both options are equally good at what they do, I'd go with CleanMyMac for system cleanups.

Final words on MacPaw CleanMyMac review

Ultimately, going through all the features of this tool led me back to the initial question – “Is CleanMyMac by MacPaw safe?”. After the complete review, I can confirm it’s a safe and very useful tool for keeping your MacOS fresh and updated.

It’s a great all-in-one tool for running regular system cleanups, as well as dealing with malware and junk files. I especially liked the extras, such as the App Uninstaller and Updater.

It even beats the likes of MacKeeper in terms of scanning capacity and CCleaner for Mac-exclusive use. However, the pricing plans are a bit high, so I recommend using a CleanMyMac coupon or getting an annual deal to save some money.

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