The AppCleaner Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about AppCleaner in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
AppCleaner
The Insider’s Guide
Small Mac utility that uninstalls apps and their leftover files
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from AppCleaner’s own pages.
Made by FreeMacSoft · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from AppCleaner’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on AppCleaner’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
AppCleaner is a small macOS utility from FreeMacSoft for uninstalling applications together with the files they leave behind. You drop an app onto its window, it finds the related files spread across the system, and a click on the delete button removes them. The vendor offers it as a direct download with no price shown, alongside an optional donation link, and keeps separate builds for macOS versions back to 10.10.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about AppCleaner, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No rating is on record, but there's nothing to set up: drop an app onto the window, see what it found, click delete.
- 1
Best for uninstalling Mac apps along with their leftovers
AppCleaner is a free Mac uninstaller: drop an app onto its window, it finds the files that app left around the system, and a click deletes them.
- 2
It is free
AppCleaner has no paid plan at all. The vendor's page offers the app as a direct download with no price or purchase step. The only payment link is an optional PayPal donation.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
Drag-and-drop uninstalling
Drop an application onto the AppCleaner window and it searches for the files that belong to that app.
- 5
Related-file search
Looks for the small files an installation distributes throughout the system, which otherwise keep using disk space after the app is gone.
- 6
Review before deleting
Found files are shown before anything is removed. A 2015 Macworld walkthrough describes checkmarks beside each file and says removed items go to the Trash.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 57 of 94
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
AppCleaner is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
AppCleaner at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- FreeMacSoft
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for uninstalling Mac apps along with their leftovers
AppCleaner is a free Mac uninstaller: drop an app onto its window, it finds the files that app left around the system, and a click deletes them. That is the whole of it. The vendor's site is a short page with downloads and a donation link, with no documentation, changelog or price list, and the current 3.7 build needs macOS 15, so older Macs need an older build.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | No price is listed anywhere. You download it straight from the vendor's page with no purchase step, and the only payment link is an optional PayPal donation. Free, and a real program rather than something you have to host. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The full uninstaller is the free download. There's no paid version and no trial on it, so nothing gets switched off later. |
| Features | C | Uninstalling is a small job, and AppCleaner does that bit fully: it finds the files an app scattered around the system, shows them for a look, and SmartDelete catches apps you drag to the Trash. The vendor's page describes no other clean-up or maintenance work, and no documentation or changelog either. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating is on record, but there's nothing to set up: drop an app onto the window, see what it found, click delete. Just pick the right build, as version 3.7 is for macOS 15 and later. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Mac only, which is one operating system. Version 3.7 is for macOS 15 and later, with older builds kept for systems back to macOS 10.10. No integrations are listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who AppCleaner is for
- Fits if you want an app's leftover files removed along with the app
- Works for older Macs too, since builds are kept for systems back to macOS 10.10
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you're not on a Mac, as it's macOS only
- Too light for a full clean-up, because it only uninstalls apps and their related files
- Not for you if you like release notes and a manual, since the site shows no documentation or changelog
- Watch out: version 3.7 needs macOS 15 or later, so on older systems you have to find the matching older build
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who want an app's support files removed along with the app
- People who want a single-purpose uninstaller at no cost
- Older Macs: builds are kept for macOS 10.10 and later
Worth knowing
- macOS only. The current version, 3.7, is for macOS 15 and later; earlier systems need one of the older builds.
- It uninstalls apps and their related files; the vendor's page describes no other cleanup or maintenance functions.
- The vendor's site is a short description with downloads. It shows no documentation, changelog or price list.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
AppCleaner is free to use.
You download it straight from the vendor's page with no purchase step, and the only payment link is an optional PayPal donation.
AppCleaner
$0
The full uninstaller, downloaded directly from the vendor's page. No price is listed, and donations are optional.
The free plan
The vendor's page offers the app as a direct download with no price or purchase step. The only payment link is an optional PayPal donation.
Read from freemacsoft.net on Oct 6, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Small Mac utility that uninstalls apps and their leftover files. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, disk cleanup.
The vendor's page describes no other clean-up or maintenance work, and no documentation or changelog either.
- Drag-and-drop uninstalling
- Drop an application onto the AppCleaner window and it searches for the files that belong to that app.
- Related-file search
- Looks for the small files an installation distributes throughout the system, which otherwise keep using disk space after the app is gone.
- Review before deleting
- Found files are shown before anything is removed. A 2015 Macworld walkthrough describes checkmarks beside each file and says removed items go to the Trash.
- SmartDelete
- According to the same Macworld walkthrough, switching on SmartDelete in Preferences makes AppCleaner look for related files whenever an app is dragged to the Trash.
- Builds for older macOS versions
- The vendor lists version 3.7 for macOS 15 and later, 3.6.8 for macOS 10.14 up to 15.6, 3.6 for macOS 10.13 and 3.4 for macOS 10.10 up to 10.12.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
AppCleaner is made by FreeMacSoft.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
57/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
AppCleaner's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
AppCleaner has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. AppCleaner’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 94
- AFree plan and trialAbove 49 of 94
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 94
- BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 94
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. AppCleaner is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
AppCleaner is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could not
- Deleting system files without breaking anything.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. AppCleaner’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Pearcleaner, CleanMyMac, OnyX, CCleaner and DaisyDisk
The 5 tools AppCleaner is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Pearcleaner
Free
Free, source-available app uninstaller and cleaner for Mac.
- 1.8GPA
CleanMyMac
Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Mac cleanup, malware removal and maintenance in one app.
- AppCleaner has a free plan. CleanMyMac does not, though it has a free trial.
- CleanMyMac can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- CleanMyMac also covers menu bar app and system monitor.
- 2.8GPA
OnyX
Free
- 2.8GPA
CCleaner
Free plan · from $44.95/yr
Junk cleaner and PC optimizer for Windows, Mac and mobile.
- Only CCleaner lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- CCleaner also covers system monitor.
- 2.4GPA
DaisyDisk
Free trial · from $9.99 one-time
Visual disk space analyzer and cleanup tool for Mac.
- AppCleaner has a free plan. DaisyDisk does not, though it has a free trial.
- DaisyDisk can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is AppCleaner free?
Yes. AppCleaner is free to use.
How much does AppCleaner cost?
AppCleaner lists one plan. AppCleaner: $0.
What platforms does AppCleaner work on?
AppCleaner is available on macOS.
Does AppCleaner have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. AppCleaner is listed for macOS.
Does AppCleaner have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. AppCleaner is listed for macOS.
Is AppCleaner open source?
AppCleaner is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does AppCleaner work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Who makes AppCleaner?
AppCleaner is made by FreeMacSoft.
What are the alternatives to AppCleaner?
The closest alternatives to AppCleaner in our directory are Pearcleaner, CleanMyMac, OnyX, CCleaner and DaisyDisk.
How does AppCleaner compare with other desktop utilities?
AppCleaner's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
Is AppCleaner good value for money?
ToolGPA grades AppCleaner A for value for money. AppCleaner has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of AppCleaner?
AppCleaner is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: Deleting system files without breaking anything.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from AppCleaner’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from FreeMacSoft's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-08-06.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by FreeMacSoft. Prices change, so check freemacsoft.net before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- AppCleaner, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/appcleaner
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "AppCleaner: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/appcleaner
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/appcleaner/guide
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See our other guides
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- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- 7-Zip Insider's GuideFree, open-source file archiver with the 7z format3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what AppCleaner’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. AppCleaner is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by FreeMacSoft. Prices and plans change: check freemacsoft.net before you buy.