The BleachBit Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about BleachBit 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.
BleachBit
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source disk cleaner for Windows and Linux
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from BleachBit’s own pages.
Made by Andrew Ziem · checked Oct 9, 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 BleachBit’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on BleachBit’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
BleachBit is a free, open-source system cleaner for Windows and Linux. It deletes temporary files, caches, logs, cookies and browsing history from browsers and other applications, shows every file before removing it, and can shred files or overwrite free disk space so deleted data is harder to recover. All features work offline with no registration, a command line supports scripting, and the code is licensed under GPLv3.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about BleachBit, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The app can tell you there's a new version, then you download it by hand.
- 1
Best for free disk cleaning on Windows and Linux
There's no regular Mac version, only an experimental one with limited features.
- 2
It is free
BleachBit has no paid plan at all. Every feature is free, with no registration, license activation, ads or upsells; the site describes it as free forever. Donations are optional.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and Linux.
- 4
Junk and cache cleaning
Removes temporary files, browser caches, logs and other junk, using built-in cleaners for Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox, VLC, system logs and many other targets.
- 5
Privacy cleaning
Erases browsing history, cookies, saved passwords and application traces across several browsers in one step. A cookie manager for keeping chosen cookies is new in the 5.1.0 beta.
- 6
Preview before deleting
You tick the items to clean, click preview to see every file that would be removed, and then delete only what you want.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 84 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
BleachBit is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
BleachBit at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Andrew Ziem, since 2008
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for free disk cleaning on Windows and Linux
BleachBit is a free, open-source cleaner for Windows and Linux that clears temporary files, caches, cookies and browsing history, shows every file before deleting it, and can shred files. There's no regular Mac version, only an experimental one with limited features. Updates are downloaded by hand, the winapp2.ini cleaners are Windows only, and older Windows needs an old release.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | It costs nothing, and the site calls it free forever. A plain download, no registration, no license activation, no ads and no upsells. The code is open source under GPLv3, and donations are optional. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Every feature is free. The features page says every user has the "Pro" version, so there's nothing to unlock. |
| Features | C | Clearing out junk is one job and BleachBit covers it: cleaners for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, VLC and dozens more, a preview of every file first, shredding, free-space wiping, a command line and cleaners you can write. It's that one chore, and the winapp2 import is Windows only. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating is on record, but nothing needs setting up: tick what to clean, hit preview, delete only what you want, so nothing vanishes by surprise. Updates aren't automatic, mind. The app can tell you there's a new version, then you download it by hand. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | A program for computers and nothing else: Windows and Linux, no web version, no phone apps, and macOS listed as experimental with limited features. It brings a command line for scripting and cleaners for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, VLC and LibreOffice. |
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 BleachBit is for
- Fits if you're on Windows or Linux and want disk space back at no cost
- Works for administrators who script clean-ups across many machines from the command line
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you're on a Mac, as macOS support is experimental with limited features
- Not for you if you want updates to install themselves, since you download each one by hand
- Tight if you're on Linux and want the winapp2.ini cleaners, because that import is Windows only
- Watch out: the current installer is for Windows 10 and 11; XP, Vista, 7 and 8 need the older 4.7.0 release
- Not for you if you want it on a phone or in a browser, as it's a desktop program only
Good to know
Good for
- Windows and Linux users who want to free disk space at no cost
- People clearing browser history, cookies and app traces in one pass
- Administrators who script cleanup across many machines
Worth knowing
- There is no regular macOS version: the download page lists Mac OS X support as experimental with limited features.
- The current Windows installer is for Windows 10 and 11; Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 need the older 4.7.0 release.
- Importing winapp2.ini, which adds thousands of extra cleaners, is available on Windows only.
- New versions are not installed automatically; the app can notify you, and updates are downloaded from the website by hand.
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
BleachBit is free to use.
It costs nothing, and the site calls it free forever.
BleachBit
$0
The complete cleaner for Windows and Linux, open source under GPLv3. The features page says every user has the "Pro" version.
The free plan
Every feature is free, with no registration, license activation, ads or upsells; the site describes it as free forever. Donations are optional.
Read from bleachbit.org on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Windows and Linux
Free, open-source disk cleaner for Windows and Linux. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, disk cleanup.
It brings a command line for scripting and cleaners for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, VLC and LibreOffice.
- Junk and cache cleaning
- Removes temporary files, browser caches, logs and other junk, using built-in cleaners for Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox, VLC, system logs and many other targets.
- Privacy cleaning
- Erases browsing history, cookies, saved passwords and application traces across several browsers in one step. A cookie manager for keeping chosen cookies is new in the 5.1.0 beta.
- Preview before deleting
- You tick the items to clean, click preview to see every file that would be removed, and then delete only what you want.
- Shredding and free-space wiping
- Shreds sensitive files so their contents cannot be read, and overwrites free disk space to hide files that were deleted earlier.
- Command line and custom cleaners
- A command line interface supports scripting and automation, advanced users can write cleaners in CleanerML, and Windows users can import winapp2.ini for thousands more.
- Linux system cleaners
- On Linux it can clear memory and swap, delete unused localizations and broken shortcuts, and clean the APT, Pacman, Snap, Yum and DNF package managers.
Where it runs
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Firefox
- VLC
- LibreOffice
BleachBit is made by Andrew Ziem, and has been around since 2008.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
84/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
BleachBit's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 8.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on features (C, above 1).
BleachBit has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 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. BleachBit’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
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 65 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. BleachBit 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
BleachBit is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade.
What you could not
- Deleting system files without breaking anything.
- A real app for Windows and Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It plugs into other products, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Firefox among them.
What this rests on. BleachBit’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
CCleaner, WinDirStat and WizTree
The 3 tools BleachBit is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
CCleaner
Free plan · from $44.95/yr
Junk cleaner and PC optimizer for Windows, Mac and mobile.
- Only BleachBit lists a Linux app.
- Only CCleaner lists macOS, Android and iOS apps.
- BleachBit is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
WinDirStat
Free
Free, open-source disk usage analyzer for Windows.
- Only BleachBit lists a Linux app.
- 3.0GPA
WizTree
Free plan · from $25 one-time
Fast disk space analyzer for Windows and macOS.
- Only BleachBit lists a Linux app.
- Only WizTree lists a macOS app.
- BleachBit is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
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 BleachBit free?
Yes. BleachBit is free to use.
How much does BleachBit cost?
BleachBit lists one plan. BleachBit: $0.
What platforms does BleachBit work on?
BleachBit is available on Windows and Linux.
Does BleachBit have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. BleachBit is listed for Windows and Linux.
Does BleachBit have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. BleachBit is listed for Windows and Linux.
Is BleachBit open source?
Yes. BleachBit is open source, according to its own site.
Does BleachBit 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.
What does BleachBit integrate with?
BleachBit's listing names Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, VLC and LibreOffice.
Who makes BleachBit?
BleachBit is made by Andrew Ziem. It dates from 2008.
What are the alternatives to BleachBit?
The closest alternatives to BleachBit in our directory are CCleaner, WinDirStat and WizTree.
How does BleachBit compare with other desktop utilities?
BleachBit's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 8.
Is BleachBit good value for money?
ToolGPA grades BleachBit A for value for money. BleachBit has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of BleachBit?
BleachBit is free, so making your own would save you nothing. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from BleachBit’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from BleachBit's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-05-14.
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 Andrew Ziem. Prices change, so check bleachbit.org 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
- BleachBit, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/bleachbit
- 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, "BleachBit: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/bleachbit
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/bleachbit/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after BleachBit, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 95 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- 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 BleachBit’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. BleachBit is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Andrew Ziem. Prices and plans change: check bleachbit.org before you buy.