Pearcleaner
Free, source-available app uninstaller and cleaner for Mac
Pearcleaner report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Oct 9, 2026
Best for free Mac uninstalls that take the leftovers too
Drag an app to the Trash on a Mac and bits of it stay behind. Pearcleaner removes the app and its leftovers together, hunts for orphaned files, and throws in managers for Homebrew packages and app updates. It's free, with the source in the open. One big thing to know: the developer has put it on hold, and new releases are paused indefinitely.
Who Pearcleaner is for
- Great if you want leftover files gone when you uninstall a Mac app
- Handy when you use Homebrew and want packages and app updates in one window
- Good for people who want a free cleaner whose source code they can read
Who Pearcleaner is not for
- Skip it if you want an app that's still being worked on, as releases and issue replies are paused indefinitely
- Not for you if you're on macOS 27, which isn't in its support table
- Tight if you're wary of permissions, since it needs Full Disk Access to search for files
Why Pearcleaner gets a 3.2
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree, from the GitHub releases page or Homebrew. The license, Apache 2.0 with the Commons Clause, stops anyone selling it or a modified version.
- AFree plan and trialEvery feature is free and there's no paid tier. Nothing is held back for an upgrade.
- AFeaturesUninstalls with related files, an orphaned file search, and a small monitor that cleans up when an app hits the Trash. Then there are managers for Homebrew, PKG installers and services, an Update All button, and tools that strip unused languages from apps. For an uninstaller, that's a lot.
- BEase of useNo store rating on record, so a B is as high as we go. Drag an app in or pick it from a list, and a Finder extension adds uninstalling to the right-click menu. It does need Full Disk Access, plus a privileged helper for system folders.
- DPlatforms and integrationsMac only. The support table lists macOS 13 Ventura through 26 Tahoe, and macOS 27 doesn't appear in it. It works with Homebrew and Steam, and has a command line and deep links for automation.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Pearcleaner's own pages on 9 October 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/pearcleaner#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/pearcleaner.svg" alt="Pearcleaner: 3.2 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>What is Pearcleaner?
Pearcleaner is a free Mac app cleaner that uninstalls applications together with their leftover files and searches for orphaned files. It also bundles managers for Homebrew packages, PKG installers, plugins and background services, an app updater, and tools that strip unused languages and architectures from apps. The source is public under Apache 2.0 with the Commons Clause. Its developer has put the project on hold, with version 5.4.3 the latest release.
Pearcleaner is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Mac users who want leftover files removed when they uninstall an app
- Homebrew users who want packages and app updates in one window
- People who want a free cleaner whose source code they can read
Worth knowing
- Development is on hold: the README says work stopped at the end of 2025 and that issue replies, pull request reviews and new releases are paused indefinitely.
- macOS only. The support table lists macOS 13 Ventura through 26 Tahoe; earlier versions are unsupported and macOS 27 does not appear in it.
- It needs Full Disk Access to search for files and a privileged helper to act on system folders.
- The developer calls the license source-available and fair-code rather than open source: the Commons Clause bars selling the app.
Key features
- App uninstall with related files
- Apps are dragged in or picked from a list or grid view, with badges for web and iOS apps, and a Finder extension adds uninstalling to the right-click menu.
- Orphaned file search
- A separate search looks for orphaned files. Search sensitivity is adjustable, and directories can be included in or excluded from searching.
- Sentinel Monitor
- A small background monitor, listed at about 2 MB of RAM, starts a cleanup automatically when an app is moved to the Trash.
- Homebrew, PKG and services managers
- Built-in views manage Homebrew packages, PKG installers, plugins and services, and an apps updater has an Update All button with progress shown in the toolbar.
- Slimming installed apps
- Prunes unused app translations, keeping only preferred languages, and strips unneeded architectures from universal apps without the lipo binary from Xcode tools.
- Command line and deep links
- The app has command-line support, including a command that lists orphaned files, plus deep links for automation, and it can export app bundles and file lists.
Pearcleaner pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole app is free, from the GitHub releases page or Homebrew. Its license, Apache 2.0 with the Commons Clause, prohibits anyone from selling it or a modified version.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Pearcleaner | $0 | Every feature, with no paid tier. It needs Full Disk Access to search for files and a privileged helper for actions on system folders. |
Read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Pearcleaner before you buy.
Works with
- Homebrew
- Steam
Pearcleaner alternatives
- Pearcleaner vs CleanMyMac
Free trial · from $39.99/yr
- Pearcleaner vs DaisyDisk
Free trial · from $9.99 one-time
- Pearcleaner vs CCleaner
Free plan · from $44.95/yr
Common questions
Is Pearcleaner free?
Yes. Pearcleaner is free to use. The whole app is free, from the GitHub releases page or Homebrew. Its license, Apache 2.0 with the Commons Clause, prohibits anyone from selling it or a modified version.
How much does Pearcleaner cost?
Pearcleaner lists one plan. Pearcleaner: $0. Prices were read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does Pearcleaner work on?
Pearcleaner is available on macOS.
Does Pearcleaner have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Pearcleaner is listed for macOS.
Does Pearcleaner have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Pearcleaner is listed for macOS.
Is Pearcleaner open source?
Pearcleaner is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.
Does Pearcleaner 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 Pearcleaner integrate with?
Pearcleaner's listing names Homebrew and Steam. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Pearcleaner?
Pearcleaner is made by Alin Lupascu.
What are the alternatives to Pearcleaner?
The closest alternatives to Pearcleaner in our directory are AppCleaner, CleanMyMac, OnyX, DaisyDisk and CCleaner. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Pearcleaner.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.