Price against what you get
Best-value desktop utilities
Going by our grades, CCleaner and LocalSend give the most for the money among desktop utilities: no tool on this chart scores higher without costing more.
Paid plans start at a middle price of $2.50 a month across the 17 that charge, from $0.08 (Ninite) to $10 (Komorebi). 37 more cost nothing at all. 11 of the 54 score above the category's average while starting at or below its middle price. 2 cost more than the middle price and score below the average.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- Nothing scores higher without costing more
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/charts/utilities"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/charts/utilities/chart.svg" alt="54 desktop utilities by starting price and by ToolGPA score" width="1200" height="675" style="max-width:100%;height:auto"></a>The best at every price
Each step is the highest score desktop utilities reach at that price or below. Nothing on the chart beats these without costing more.
Paying more for less
The desktop utilities that the most others beat on both counts: a higher score and a lower starting price.
- KomorebiStarts at $10 a month for each person and scores 1.7 of 4.41 of 53 score higher for lessCDC
- CleanMyMacStarts at $3.33 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.0 of 4.12 of 53 score higher for lessCBD
- BartenderStarts at $1.67 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.0 of 4.7 of 53 score higher for lessCBD
- DropzoneStarts at $1.67 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.0 of 4.7 of 53 score higher for lessCBD
- AlDenteStarts at $1.17 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.0 of 4.7 of 53 score higher for lessCBD
A high starting price often means a product is sold to companies and has no small plan, and a score is three letters, not the whole product. Read a tool’s own page before ruling it out.
The four quarters
Where the tools fall when the chart is cut at the middle price and the average score.
More for less11
Each scores above the category's average and starts at or below its middle price.
LocalSend, Ninite, 7-Zip, BleachBit, Flameshot, Flow Launcher, UniGetUI, Pastebot and 3 more
Costs more, scores more5
Each scores above the average and starts above the middle price.
Costs less, scores less36
Each scores below the average and starts at or below the middle price.
AppCleaner, CopyQ, Ditto, DockDoor, EarTrumpet, Everything, Hidden Bar, Loop and 28 more
Costs more, scores less2
Each scores below the average and starts above the middle price.
All 54 on the chart
Highest score first, then lowest price. The last column counts the tools that score higher and start lower.
| # | Tool | Score | Features, ease, platforms | A month | As its listing states it | Score higher for less |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CCleaner | 3.0 | BBB | $3.75 | $44.95 per year for 1 PC (CCleaner Pro) | None |
| 2 | Raycast | 3.0 | ACB | $8 | $96 / year, billed annually | None |
| 3 | LocalSend | 2.7 | CBB | Free | Free | None |
| 4 | Ninite | 2.7 | CBB | $0.08 | $1 per machine / year (Nintune); Ninite Pro starts at $1 per machine / month | None |
| 5 | Text Blaze | 2.7 | BCB | $2.99 | $2.99 / month, billed yearly | None |
| 6 | TextExpander | 2.7 | BCB | $5 | $5 per user / month, billed annually ($60) | 1 |
| 7 | 7-Zip | 2.3 | CBC | Free | Free | None |
| 8 | BleachBit | 2.3 | CBC | Free | Free | None |
| 9 | Flameshot | 2.3 | CBC | Free | Free | None |
| 10 | Flow Launcher | 2.3 | BBD | Free | Free | None |
| 11 | UniGetUI | 2.3 | CBC | Free | Free | None |
| 12 | Pastebot | 2.3 | BBD | $2.08 | $2.99 / month or $24.99 / year (App Store), or $39 one-time direct | 2 |
| 13 | Paste | 2.3 | BCC | $2.49 | $2.49 / month, billed annually ($29.99) | 2 |
| 14 | Path Finder | 2.3 | BBD | $2.50 | $2.95 per month (subscription), or $29.95 per year | 2 |
| 15 | Typinator | 2.3 | BCC | $2.50 | $29.99 / year, or $49.99 one-time for the Mac-only Basic license | 2 |
| 16 | Setapp | 2.3 | BCC | $8.99 | $14.99 / month + tax, or $107.88 / year (Mac plan) | 6 |
| 17 | AppCleaner | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 18 | CopyQ | 2.0 | CCC | Free | Free | None |
| 19 | Ditto | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 20 | DockDoor | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
Show the other 34
| # | Tool | Score | Features, ease, platforms | A month | As its listing states it | Score higher for less |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | EarTrumpet | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 22 | Everything | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 23 | Hidden Bar | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 24 | Loop | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 25 | Microsoft PowerToys | 2.0 | BCD | Free | Free | None |
| 26 | MonitorControl | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 27 | OnyX | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 28 | Pearcleaner | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 29 | Quicksilver | 2.0 | BCD | Free | Free | None |
| 30 | Rectangle | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 31 | Stats | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 32 | The Unarchiver | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 33 | Twinkle Tray | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 34 | Ueli | 2.0 | CCC | Free | Free | None |
| 35 | WinDirStat | 2.0 | CBD | Free | Free | None |
| 36 | aText | 2.0 | CCC | $0.42 | $4.99 for a one-year Personal license | 7 |
| 37 | Fences | 2.0 | CBD | $0.83 | $9.99 per year (Single, 1 Year Subscription) | 7 |
| 38 | AlDente | 2.0 | CBD | $1.17 | $13.99 / year, or $24.99 one-time for a lifetime license | 7 |
| 39 | Bartender | 2.0 | CBD | $1.67 | $19.99 / year (Bartender Pro) or $24.99 one-time (Bartender 7) | 7 |
| 40 | Dropzone | 2.0 | CBD | $1.67 | $4.99 / month or $19.99 / year (Mac App Store), or $35 one-time direct | 7 |
| 41 | CleanMyMac | 2.0 | CBD | $3.33 | $39.99 / year on the US Mac App Store (MacPaw's site: from $3.33 / month) | 12 |
| 42 | Amethyst | 1.7 | CCD | Free | Free | None |
| 43 | AutoHotkey | 1.7 | BDD | Free | Free | None |
| 44 | boring.notch | 1.7 | CCD | Free | Free | None |
| 45 | Espanso | 1.7 | CDC | Free | Free | None |
| 46 | Hammerspoon | 1.7 | BDD | Free | Free | None |
| 47 | Karabiner-Elements | 1.7 | CCD | Free | Free | None |
| 48 | KeepingYouAwake | 1.7 | DBD | Free | Free | None |
| 49 | LinearMouse | 1.7 | CCD | Free | Free | None |
| 50 | ShareX | 1.7 | CCD | Free | Free | None |
| 51 | Thaw | 1.7 | CCD | Free | Free | None |
| 52 | Komorebi | 1.7 | CDC | $10 | $10 per month for a single-platform commercial license ($110 billed annually) | 41 |
| 53 | AeroSpace | 1.3 | CDD | Free | Free | None |
| 54 | SwiftBar | 1.3 | CDD | Free | Free | None |
How desktop utilities grade
Every bar is all the desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got on that count.
- Value for moneyaverage 3.6
- Free plan and trialaverage 3.0
- Featuresaverage 2.3
- Ease of useaverage 2.6
- Platforms and integrationsaverage 1.4
An A is worth 4 and an F nothing. C is the ordinary grade. Every utilities grade in one table
Not on the chart
Sold for a single payment, or with no public price that can be put as dollars a month. They are graded like the rest.
- Alfred£34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License)
- AltTab$9.99 one-time purchase (AltTab Pro)
- BetterDisplay$21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply)
- BetterTouchTool$15 one-time purchase (Standard License, 2 years of updates)
- ClipClip$49 one-time payment per user (Commercial License)
- CopyClip$7.99 one-time purchase (CopyClip 2, US Mac App Store)
- DaisyDisk$9.99 one-time purchase (lifetime license)
- Default Folder X$39.95 one-time purchase (single-user license)
- Directory Opus$89 AUD one-time for a Single licence (Australian dollars)
- DisplayFusion$34 one-time purchase per machine (Pro Standard, lifetime license)
- f.lux$24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition)
- Files$12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price)
- ForkLift$19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates)
- Greenshot$1.99 one-time for the Mac version (US Mac App Store)
- Hazel$42 one-time purchase (single-user license)
- Homerow$49.99 one-time purchase
- iStat Menus$11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes
- Keka$3.99 one-time for the iOS app; $6.49 one-time on the Mac App Store
- Keyboard MaestroUS$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax
- LaunchBar35 € one-time purchase (Single License)
- Listary$19.95 one-time payment (Listary Pro)
- Mac Mouse Fix$2.99 one-time purchase, plus local taxes
- Maccy$4.99 or more, pay what you want (website download via Gumroad)
- Magnet$4.99 one-time purchase (US Mac App Store)
- Moom$15 one-time purchase
- Numi$29.99 one-time purchase (Numi License)
- PhraseExpressNo public price
- PopClip$12 one-time purchase (Standard License, 2 years of updates)
- Shottr$12 one-time purchase (Basic Tier)
- Soulver$15 one-time (iPhone only), or $59 one-time for Mac, iPad and iPhone
- SoundSource$49 one-time purchase
- Swish$16 one-time purchase (US price)
- Synergy$15 one-time payment (Synergy 3 Lite, personal use)
- TeraCopy$34.95 one-time purchase (Pro license, personal use)
- TextSniper$7.99 one-time purchase (license for 1 Mac)
- Total Commander€42 one-time purchase, plus VAT where charged (Windows licence)
- Velja$10 one-time purchase
- WinRAR$29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT)
- WizTree$25 one-time purchase (Individual supporter code, 1 year of upgrades)
- Yoink$8.99 one-time purchase
Common questions
Which desktop utilities give the most for the money?
CCleaner and LocalSend. Each is the highest-scoring tool at its price or below: LocalSend scores 2.7 out of 4 and is free; CCleaner scores 3.0 out of 4 and starts at $3.75 a month when paid by the year. This goes by ToolGPA's own grades for features, ease of use and platforms, averaged out of 4, set against the price each tool's paid plans start at.
Which are the best free desktop utilities?
Of the 37 desktop utilities here with no paid plan at all, LocalSend scores highest, at 2.7 out of 4. 9 more have a free plan beside their paid ones.
Which desktop utilities are best for under $5 a month?
CCleaner, with a score of 3.0 out of 4: the highest among the 51 that start at $5 a month or less. CCleaner starts at $3.75 a month when paid by the year.
Which desktop utilities are best for under $10 a month?
CCleaner and Raycast, with a score of 3.0 out of 4: the highest among the 54 that start at $10 a month or less. CCleaner starts at $3.75 a month when paid by the year; Raycast starts at $8 a month when paid by the year.
Which desktop utilities cost the most for what they offer?
On this chart, Komorebi (starts at $10 a month for each person, scores 1.7 out of 4, and 41 tools score higher for less), CleanMyMac (starts at $3.33 a month when paid by the year, scores 2.0 out of 4, and 12 tools score higher for less) and Bartender (starts at $1.67 a month when paid by the year, scores 2.0 out of 4, and 7 tools score higher for less). A high starting price often means a product is sold to companies and has no small plan, so check what the price includes before ruling one out.
How much do desktop utilities cost?
The middle starting price is $2.50 a month: half of the 17 desktop utilities with a recurring price start below that and half above. 37 of the 94 in this directory have no paid plan, and 9 of those that charge also have a free plan.
How is the score on this chart worked out?
It is the average of three of the five grades ToolGPA gives every tool: features, ease of use, and platforms and integrations, with an A worth 4 and an F worth 0. The other two grades, value for money and the free plan, are about price, so they are left out and price gets an axis of its own. 54 of the 94 desktop utilities are on the chart; 40 are left off because they are sold for a single payment or publish no price that can be put as dollars a month.
How this chart is made
- The score is the average of three of a tool’s five grades: features, ease of use, and platforms and integrations. An A is 4 points and an F none. Value for money and the free plan are left out because they are about price, and price has an axis of its own.
- The price is what paid plans start at, in dollars a month, on the cheapest way of paying the listing names. A yearly price is divided by twelve, and a price in another currency is converted. A price for each person is shown for one person.
- A tool with no paid plan sits in the band marked Free. A tool with a free plan beside paid ones is placed at its paid price and drawn as a filled dot.
- The grades are ToolGPA’s own judgement from each vendor’s pages and from public reviews, not from testing, and no vendor can pay for one. How we grade
More charts
- All desktop utilities
- Meeting Notes
- AI Assistants
- AI Agents
- AI Research
- App Builders
- Dictation
- Note-Taking
- Writing
- Docs & Wikis
- Whiteboards
- Spreadsheets
- Presentations
- To-Do Lists
- Daily Planners
- Calendar
- Project Management
- CRM
- Team Chat
- Automation
- Forms
- Focus
- Time Tracking
- Habit Trackers
- Journaling
- Read Later
- Screen Recording
- Browsers
- Passwords
- File Storage