There are various kinds of Mac optimizers on the market and here we’ll be comparing two very different pieces of Mac optimization software made by the same company. Ukraine’s MacPaw has been helping users declutter and speed up their Macs with two very different products. First, there’s CleanMyMac, a comprehensive feature-filled optimizer that cleans up junk, checks for malware, and speeds up your system. Then there’s Gemini, which specializes in decluttering your Mac and removing files you didn’t even know existed. Both look great and will certainly help boost your Mac’s performance, but how do you choose between two optimizers from the same company?
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Perhaps the most well-known software from MacPaw’s catalog, CleanMyMac offers all the features you’ll ever need to get your Mac back to its best. First, CleanMyMac will run a thorough scan to detect junk files that can be removed as well as check for security issues like malware or viruses. However, you don’t have to run a full system scan every time. CleanMyMac has a sleek user interface and all of its functions can be easily accessed and run separately. Interestingly, although MacPaw’s other product Gemini focuses mostly on removing junk and optimizing your media files, there are features that do the same here but they’re not nearly as powerful. CleanMyMac also offers the unique Space Lens feature, which is a great way to visualize your Mac’s hard drive and discover which files are taking up your precious resources.
CleanMyMac offers users a trial license to get a feel for the software, although you’ll only be able to remove 500MB of junk with it. To access all the features users will have to upgrade to an annual license at $39.95 paid yearly or pay extra for a lifetime license. No matter which plan you opt for, you’ll be covered by MacPaw’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
As we’ve seen, CleanMyMac is packed full of features, but for some users it can be a little overwhelming. Fortunately, MacPaw also produces Gemini, a duplicate file finder that has the process mastered. Gemini benefits from an easy-to-use interface that will have users quickly starting their system scans. Not only is Gemini able to detect duplicate files but it finds similar files to help you free up even more disk space. Before you start removing files, you’ll be able to review all of Gemini’s results so that you don’t accidentally delete anything important. Another neat feature is that it learns from your selections so that next time you won’t have to worry about your files being erased. As one final measure everything is initially sent to the trash bin giving you time to save files, but there is an option of permanently deleting them instead.
Much like CleanMyMac, there’s a free version of the software that only removes 500MB of data. The pricing works differently though as all purchases are lifetime licenses, but you can get discounts for covering multiple devices. Licenses are cheap, starting at $19.95 to cover one device and it’s even possible to get Gemini as part of a bundle with CleanMyMac.
With CleanMyMac and Gemini, MacPaw has developed two neat utilities that will help users get more out of their devices. For Macs that have really slowed down and need a thorough cleaning, CleanMyMac is the better option. In fact, it’s one of the most feature-filled Mac optimizers on the market. Of course, those extra features come at a cost. For users who are more concerned about disk space than overall performance, Gemini is the perfect solution. We’re particularly impressed by how it learns from your preferences to make sure it only gets rid of unnecessary files. Not only that, but a lifetime license for Gemini is incredibly cheap. Although it depends chiefly on what your Mac’s needs are, it’s well worth taking it into account that CleanMyMac and Gemini can be bought together as a full MacPaw bundle for ultimate Mac optimization.
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