Dr. Cleaner vs CleanMyMac Comparison

MacPaw and Trend Micro come from very different segments of the software industry. The Japanese Trend Micro is a multinational cyber security and defense company founded in Los Angeles, California, its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and a global presence around the world.

MacPaw, on the other hand, is an independent Ukranian-based software development company. As such each of their respective Mac optimization programs naturally have their own distinctions, too, but not in the way you might expect. Trend Micro might have the recognition internationally, but it is MacPaw’s software that stands out as one of the most-used cleaning utilities. They both have their strengths, however, whether that’s Dr. Cleaner’s live expert assistance or CleanMyMac’s impressive cleaning capabilities. The question is, which one is the must-have?

And while CleanMyMac has the app uninstaller feature, Dr. Cleaner seeks to raise the bar with something dubbed “App Manager”. This feature is not limited to only app removal since it also allows users to choose to remove only the cache files generated by software, with a handy tab for finding out which programs and apps are not up to date.

Those looking to test Dr. Cleaner themselves can start by downloading the free version from the App Store. If you are looking for more advanced features – such as deep scanning and duplicate file removal – then either upgrade to the Pro version or test the program risk-free for 30 days before you buy.

Every Mac needs the owner’s attention from time to time, so instead of having to type code into Terminal (something only advanced users can do) CleanMyMac provides a better alternative with its powerful utilities and scripts that help the system run optimally. Reindex Spotlight, for example, is used in a handful of troubleshooting scenarios, just like repairing disk permissions.

Both pieces of software take privacy seriously, too, and while Dr. Cleaner runs in a sandbox – the safest option since it prevents any system changes – CleanMyMac takes another approach. The app focuses on allowing users to delete cookies, browsing history, iMessage text, and attachments.

CleanMyMac is available as a free download, but if to get the most out of the software you will need a license key for $39.95.