The CCleaner Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about CCleaner 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.
CCleaner
The Insider’s Guide
Junk cleaner and PC optimizer for Windows, Mac and mobile
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from CCleaner’s own pages.
Made by Gen Digital Inc. · 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 CCleaner’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on CCleaner’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
CCleaner is a cleanup and optimization utility from Gen Digital, first launched in 2004. The Windows app removes junk files and browsing data, cleans the registry and manages startup programs, and paid plans add a Performance Optimizer, a Driver Updater, automatic software updates and scheduled cleaning. Versions for Mac, Android and iOS are also offered, and the higher plans cover several devices and bundle Recuva and Speccy.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about CCleaner, taken from its own pages and our grades.
On a PC, Health Check analyzes the machine and suggests fixes, so you aren't left guessing which boxes to tick.
- 1
Best for clearing junk off a Windows PC
CCleaner is a cleanup utility from Gen Digital, around since 2004; the free version clears junk files and browsing data on one device.
- 2
Paid plans start at $3.75 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $44.95 per year for 1 PC (CCleaner Pro).
- 3
There is a free plan
CCleaner Free: standard cleaning, standard privacy protection and a basic Health Check. Performance Optimizer, Driver Updater and automatic cleaning are paid.
- 4
It runs on 4 platforms
Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
- 5
Junk and browser cleaning
Removes unused files and deletes browsing data, cookies and trackers from the major browsers. Standard cleaning and privacy protection are in the free version.
- 6
Health Check
Analyzes the PC, recommends quick fixes and then tries to tune and update it. The free version has a basic Health Check and paid plans the complete one.
- 7
Performance Optimizer
A paid feature aimed at a PC's speed and battery life. The vendor's pages describe temporarily freezing apps while you are not using them.
- 8
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.
- 9
Keep it
Nothing CCleaner does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 4 things listed below take a company.
CCleaner at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $44.95 per year for 1 PC (CCleaner Pro)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 14-day free trial of CCleaner Professional, with no personal or card details needed
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Gen Digital Inc., since 2004
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.6 on the App Store, 3,097 ratings
The report card
Best for clearing junk off a Windows PC
CCleaner is a cleanup utility from Gen Digital, around since 2004; the free version clears junk files and browsing data on one device. The complete Health Check, automatic cleaning, the Driver Updater and the Performance Optimizer are paid, and Pro is a $44.95 yearly subscription for a single PC. Prices change by location, and the Premium Bundle's $64.95 first year renews at $89.95.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Pro is $44.95 a year for one PC, about $3.75 a month against a middle of $2.99 in this category, and it renews where most utilities here are bought once. Three devices means Pro Plus at $64.95. Middling, in other words, with Recuva Pro and Speccy Pro included in the bigger plan. |
| Free plan and trial | B | CCleaner Free costs nothing on one device: standard cleaning, standard privacy protection and a basic Health Check. The complete Health Check, automatic cleaning, the Driver Updater and cloud drive cleaning are all paid, and the Pro trial runs 14 days with no card. |
| Features | B | This covers the whole clean-up job: junk and browser cleaning, a registry cleaner, startup control, a Health Check, driver and software updates, and a Cloud Drive Cleaner that hunts duplicates in OneDrive and Google Drive. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core work. |
| Ease of use | B | Its iPhone app sits at 4.6 from 3,097 App Store ratings, short of the 4.7 an A asks for. On a PC, Health Check analyzes the machine and suggests fixes, so you aren't left guessing which boxes to tick. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, plus cleaning inside Google Drive and OneDrive. No web app and no API on record, which is what keeps it off the top mark. The PC app needs Windows 8 or later and won't run on S mode or RT editions. |
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 CCleaner is for
- Fits if you want junk cleaning, browser cleanup and startup control in one Windows app
- Works for households covering several PCs, Macs and Android devices on one plan
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want to pay once, as Professional is sold as an annual subscription
- Pricey if you have more than one computer, since Pro at $44.95 a year covers a single PC and 3 devices cost $64.95
- Tight if you're staying free and want scheduled cleaning, the Driver Updater or the full Health Check, as all are paid
- Watch out: the Premium Bundle shows $64.95 for the first year, then renews at $89.95
- Watch out: prices change by your location, and the PC app needs Windows 8 or later, not S mode or RT
Good to know
Good for
- Windows users who want junk cleaning, browser cleanup and startup control in one app
- People who want driver and software updates handled by the same utility
- Households covering several PCs, Macs and Android devices with one plan
Worth knowing
- Performance Optimizer, Driver Updater, software updates, automatic cleaning and the complete Health Check all need a paid plan.
- CCleaner Professional is sold as an annual subscription, not a one-time license, and the Pro plan covers a single PC.
- The site prices by visitor location. The US dollar prices here come from a copy of the plans page archived on May 11, 2026.
- The PC app needs Windows 8 or later and excludes S mode and RT editions.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$3.75
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
CCleaner has a free plan. Paid plans start at $44.95 per year for 1 PC (CCleaner Pro).
Middling, in other words, with Recuva Pro and Speccy Pro included in the bigger plan.
Free
$0
Standard cleaning and privacy protection with a basic Health Check, for one device.
Pro
$44.95
per year for 1 PC, annual subscription
Complete Health Check, Performance Optimizer, Driver Updater, software updates, cloud drive cleaning, automatic cleaning and priority support.
Pro Plus
$64.95
per year for up to 3 devices
Everything in Pro for up to 3 devices, plus Recuva Pro and Speccy Pro and the Pro versions of CCleaner for Mac and Android.
Premium Bundle
$89.95
per year for up to 5 devices
Everything in Pro Plus for up to 5 devices, plus Kamo and 24/7 premium technical support. Shown discounted to $64.95 for the first year.
The free plan
CCleaner Free: standard cleaning, standard privacy protection and a basic Health Check. Performance Optimizer, Driver Updater and automatic cleaning are paid.
Trying it first
14-day free trial of CCleaner Professional, with no personal or card details needed
Read from web.archive.org on Oct 6, 2026, where its own pages could not be read.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
Premium Bundle at $64.95 instead of $89.95
The plans page showed the Premium Bundle at $64.95 against a crossed-out $89.95, with no end date. The vendor's checkout lists $89.95 as the yearly fee after the first 12 months.
Stated on ccleaner.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Weekly subscription”, against $4.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | ₺199,99 | $4.07 | 18% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 299.00 | $4.76 | about the same |
| Canada | $6.99 | $4.91 | about the same |
| Brazil | R$ 24,90 | $4.98 | about the same |
| Australia | $7.99 | $5.58 | 12% more |
| South Africa | R99.99 | $6.05 | 21% more |
| United Kingdom | £4.99 | $6.60 | 32% more |
| Germany | 5,99 € | $6.71 | 35% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, iOS and Android
Junk cleaner and PC optimizer for Windows, Mac and mobile. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: system monitor, disk cleanup.
Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core work.
- Junk and browser cleaning
- Removes unused files and deletes browsing data, cookies and trackers from the major browsers. Standard cleaning and privacy protection are in the free version.
- Health Check
- Analyzes the PC, recommends quick fixes and then tries to tune and update it. The free version has a basic Health Check and paid plans the complete one.
- Performance Optimizer
- A paid feature aimed at a PC's speed and battery life. The vendor's pages describe temporarily freezing apps while you are not using them.
- Driver Updater and Software Updater
- Paid plans update out-of-date hardware drivers and installed apps, the latter to close security holes in old software.
- Registry Cleaner and startup control
- Clears errors and broken settings from the Windows registry and lets you disable programs that run when the computer starts.
- Cloud Drive Cleaner
- Scans Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive for duplicates and large or old files, shows how much space can be freed and lets you choose what to delete. Paid plans only.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
- Google Drive
- Microsoft OneDrive
CCleaner is made by Gen Digital Inc., and has been around since 2004.
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
CCleaner'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 platforms and integrations (B, above 86 of 94) and worst on value for money (C, above 2).
Its paid plans start at $3.75 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $2.50 for the category: 12 of the 17 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. CCleaner’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 2 of 94
- BFree plan and trialAbove 37 of 94
- BFeaturesAbove 72 of 94
- BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 86 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. CCleaner 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
Nothing CCleaner does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 4 things listed below take a company.
It costs $44.95 a year.
What you could not
- Deleting system files without breaking anything.
- Readings from inside the operating system.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. CCleaner’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
BleachBit, CleanMyMac, WinDirStat, WizTree and OnyX
The 5 tools CCleaner is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
BleachBit
Free
Free, open-source disk cleaner for Windows and Linux.
- Only CCleaner lists macOS, Android and iOS apps.
- Only BleachBit lists a Linux app.
- BleachBit is open source, according to its own site.
- 1.8GPA
CleanMyMac
Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Mac cleanup, malware removal and maintenance in one app.
- CCleaner has a free plan. CleanMyMac does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only CCleaner lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- CleanMyMac can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
WinDirStat
Free
Free, open-source disk usage analyzer for Windows.
- Only CCleaner lists macOS, Android and iOS apps.
- WinDirStat is open source, according to its own site.
- CCleaner also covers system monitor.
- 3.0GPA
WizTree
Free plan · from $25 one-time
Fast disk space analyzer for Windows and macOS.
- Only CCleaner lists Android and iOS apps.
- WizTree can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- CCleaner also covers system monitor.
- 2.8GPA
OnyX
Free
Free maintenance, cleaning and tweaking utility for macOS.
- Only CCleaner lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- CCleaner also covers system monitor.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
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 CCleaner free?
CCleaner has a free plan. CCleaner Free: standard cleaning, standard privacy protection and a basic Health Check.
How much does CCleaner cost?
CCleaner lists 4 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does CCleaner work on?
CCleaner is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Does CCleaner offer any discounts?
CCleaner publicly lists the following: Premium Bundle at $64.95 instead of $89.95.
How is CCleaner rated?
CCleaner's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.6 out of 5 from 3,097 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does CCleaner have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. CCleaner is listed for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Is CCleaner open source?
CCleaner is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does CCleaner integrate with?
CCleaner's listing names Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does CCleaner have a free trial?
Yes. 14-day free trial of CCleaner Professional, with no personal or card details needed.
Who makes CCleaner?
CCleaner is made by Gen Digital Inc. It dates from 2004.
What are the alternatives to CCleaner?
The closest alternatives to CCleaner in our directory are BleachBit, CleanMyMac, WinDirStat, WizTree and OnyX.
How does CCleaner compare with other desktop utilities?
CCleaner's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
Is CCleaner good value for money?
ToolGPA grades CCleaner C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $3.75 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $2.50 for the category: 12 of the 17 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of CCleaner?
Nothing CCleaner does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 4 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from CCleaner’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 CCleaner's own pages on 6 October 2026, with US prices from a copy of its plans page archived on 11 May 2026, and its App Store rating. The live plans page would not load when we went back to check it. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-06-21.
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 Gen Digital Inc. Prices change, so check ccleaner.com before you buy.
- ccleaner.com/ccleaner/plans
- web.archive.org/web/20260511090808/https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/plans
- ccleaner.com/ccleaner/professional
- ccleaner.com/ccleaner-free
- ccleaner.com/ccleaner/keygen-ccleaner
- ccleaner.com/ccleaner/ccleaner-pro-key
- ccleaner.com/ccleaner-mac
- ccleaner.com/about
- secure.ccleaner.com/502/uurl-hmb2vdrs80?currencies=USD
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
- CCleaner, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/ccleaner
- 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, "CCleaner: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/ccleaner
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/ccleaner/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after CCleaner, 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 CCleaner’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. CCleaner is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Gen Digital Inc. Prices and plans change: check ccleaner.com before you buy.