The short answer
If you bought CleanMyMac just to uninstall apps, you paid for more than you needed.
AppCleaner is a completely free uninstaller for Mac. It does the same core job as CleanMyMac's uninstall module: remove the app itself and clean up the leftover files it leaves around the system.
Why dragging an app to Trash is not enough on Mac
This is one of the easiest traps for people coming from Windows.
Windows usually gives you an uninstall flow through Control Panel or Settings, and that process also removes registry entries and app settings. macOS looks simpler. You drag an app to the Trash and assume it is gone. In reality, many apps still leave files behind in places like:
~/Library/Application Support/~/Library/Preferences/~/Library/Caches//Library/LaunchAgents/
These files are usually small, but they pile up over time. Some of them may also keep account data or old configuration files.
How to use AppCleaner
- Download it from the official site: freemacsoft.net/appcleaner (completely free, no ads)
- Open AppCleaner and drag in the app you want to remove
- It will automatically find related files. Review them and click Remove
That is it. The whole process usually takes less than 30 seconds.
How it compares with CleanMyMac
| Feature | AppCleaner | CleanMyMac |
|---|---|---|
| Uninstall apps + remove leftovers | ✅ Free | ✅ Paid |
| System junk cleanup | ❌ | ✅ |
| Memory cleanup | ❌ | ✅ |
| Real-time protection | ❌ | ✅ |
| Price | Free | About RMB 68/month or RMB 488 lifetime |
CleanMyMac's extra features, such as junk cleanup and memory release, do not matter much for most people. macOS already manages memory well, and "free up RAM" tools rarely create meaningful improvements.
If your only goal is to uninstall apps cleanly, AppCleaner is enough.
When CleanMyMac is actually worth paying for
- You are a heavy user and your disk is often close to full
- You want one-click scans for large files and system clutter
- You are willing to pay for more hands-on system maintenance
Otherwise, save the money.