Best App Cleaner And Uninstaller For Mac



Sometimes we download apps and we realize that we do not need them anymore. But the regular app removal on macOS does not entirely remove everything about the app – It just deletes the program but not the preferences data, caches, downloading files, and history of the program.

The worse is that you suddenly find some malicious programs that you cannot remove from your Mac computer. So there comes Mac app uninstaller software aiming to completely delete those Mac files and apps that you don’t want any more.

Since 2018, we’ve reviewed more than 10 programs to remove apps on Mac computers. And by following some criteria, we finally picked out these top app uninstallers for you. (Some of them are completely free)

Top 4 app uninstaller for Mac [2020 Updated]

  • App Cleaner and Uninstaller Pro helps in restricting the auto-start apps so that the performance of your Mac can be optimized. Features When you uninstall an application using this best Mac cleaning software, it thoroughly deletes it without leaving any traces of that app.
  • My choice is App Cleaner & Uninstaller. I compared it with some other tools, and App Cleaner & Uninstaller finds all the leftovers of apps, while other uninstaller leave remains. I compared it with some other tools, and App Cleaner & Uninstaller finds all the leftovers of apps, while other uninstaller leave remains.
  • From the OSX app uninstallers review, AppCleaner is one of the best free Mac uninstallers available. The app is simple considering what it does. With this software, all you need is to find an application that you no longer want, drag it to AppCleaner then hit the delete key.

1. AppCleaner – free app uninstaller for Mac

App Cleaner – The best app to remove applications service files on Mac OS X and uninstalling applications. Delete application’s service files. Make sure they aren’t eating up precious space on your Mac with this helpful app that does the legwork for you.

FreeMacSoft developed one popular free app removers for Mac users – AppCleaner. With this freeware, you can easily search the apps, plugins, and widgets you don’t want anymore, and completely remove them from your Mac. Besides, it allows you to simply drag and drop any unwanted app for swift uninstallation.

Pros:

  • Drag and Drop feature to quickly uninstall an app.
  • This app is totally free to use.
  • Recover the apps that you mistakenly deleted.
  • Support all Macs including the latest macOS Big Sur.

Cons

  • It doesn’t have filters to get old and large apps.
  • It has no filter to get and remove only the leftovers of missing apps.
  • It can’t remove some apps and it shows these apps are protected.

2. AppZapper – perfect Mac app uninstaller

This software AppZapper has stood out amongst other uninstaller software for the macOS system because of its simplistic design and good capability of app removing. This software is also very deep with cleanups and can remove all unwanted apps and their settings, widgets, plugins, and so on. Just like AppCleaner, this software is also designed with the macOS drag and drop feature in mind.

Pros:

  • Drag and Drop feature.
  • Nice filters to get large-sized apps and old apps.
  • With “Undo” to get back the apps that you deleted mistakenly.

Cons:

  • It is not very simple to use. (the app icons so big)
  • It can’t find only the leftovers.
  • Its free version is limited with only 5 zaps (You can perform 5 apps removing with AppZapper). And the price is 19.95 and above.
  • It doesn’t support Big Sur till now.

3. CleanMyMac – Remove Not Only App and App Leftovers.

CleanMyMac gives you a lot of features to free up space on Mac. And its Uninstaller Tool could be one of the best tools for uninstalling Mac apps. It is capable of performing the function of uninstalling applications and their related files just like other app removers we listed.

Pros:

  • CleanMyMac X is able to find and remove only the leftover files. And it also has various labels that help you easily find old and large apps.
  • It provides several other useful features to clean your Mac storage to boost performance.
  • This app can find duplicate files on your mac and help you get rid of them. Its user interface is also very well designed and you can figure everything out intuitively.

Cons:

The trial version gives you only 2 applications removing for free.

4. AppDelete

This is another app remover for Mac computer. AppDelete is very thorough in removing applications from your mac, and this is one of its major strengths. Where other software might overlook, this software acts. This software can help remove widgets, screensavers, preference panes, widgets, plugins, app settings, and so on.

Mac

This application is also very flexible. It provides you with options as regards what to with the apps and files you want to remove. You can log such files, archive to a zip file, or completely remove such apps/files. Also, deleted apps are not removed straight away, but are kept in the recycle bin in case you made a mistake deletion.

Cons: This app is not a free one, and has a price of 5 – 7.99 dollars.

We didn’t cover all AppCleaner similar programs in this post, like the apps TrashMe, AppTrap, iTrash, and MacClean, since all of them are not freeware, and have almost the same features.

How to choose a qualified app uninstaller for Mac computer?

It’s easy to know what is an uninstaller app, but it may be hard to select one top uninstaller app for your Mac, which is a totally different ball game. So what are the factors and criteria you should consider when choosing a top app uninstaller for your Mac? Let’s check out the list below.

1. Level of App Cleanup

It is important for you to understand the level of cleanup that the software provides. Some software can remove all the files related to the unwanted app, while others just remove a few.

Also, some software cannot remove applications that run in the background. For the best App cleaning software, it should be in a top cleanup level to remove all leftover files.

2. Is It Safe to Use

Is it safe to use? You may ask this question before using a Mac uninstaller app. And this is one of the basic conditions all apps ought to have.

Actually, one app could be safe if the app has an official website with a real company address and online tech support, or it was recommended by some famous or trustworthy sites.

What is the best clean up app for mac

3. Computing Requirements

You can’t use a Mac uninstaller program if it is not compatible with your computer. Since all apps have basic requirements for the computer system, such as storage and system version, in order to run stably and use computing resources normally.

And the best app remover should be compatible with all the popular Mac OS, including the newest macOS Catalina and Big Sur. And we picked out the top app by following this criterion.

4. User Interface and Experience

You need to consider the user interface and experience of your desired uninstaller software.

If one app is poorly designed, it may cost you a lot of time to figure out how to use it. But as one of the top programs, it should be time-saving and highly effective.

5. Cost-Effective

Most of the time the best app is not the free one since the software vendors will cost a lot to hire people to design and develop.

You’d better know the cost of these programs and find the most cost-effective one. And be careful that some apps require a one-time purchase license while some others require periodic subscriptions.

Surely, there are some other factors you may consider while selecting a qualified mac app cleaner, including the customer service, the money-back policy, and so on.

Conclusion

There you have it, the top best app uninstaller for Mac We gathered since. We all need one of these programs on our computers in the new macOS Big Sur as unwanted apps are inevitable. Selecting the best one for you should not be too much of a trouble, as this article has provided you with more than enough information to make the best decision.

Taking an application off of your Mac isn’t as simple as dragging it into the trash. When you install an app, all sorts of supplementary files take up residence in your hard drive.

Once there, they’re not easy to get rid of. First, you have to find them; then, you have to make sure they’re really gone. It can be frustrating and time-consuming to do by hand, and there’s no guarantee you’ll catch all those extra files.

Over time, those extra files build up. Without even noticing it, you might be dedicating several gigabytes of your Mac’s memory to this junk data. This can be a drag on your computer’s performance, all for an app you’re not even using anymore.

Luckily, there’s a better way to get rid of these files for good. An app uninstaller is a utility that automates the different steps of app removal:

  • Locating outdated or underused apps
  • Finding all associated support files and caches
  • Moving them to the trash
  • Permanently deleting them

If you’re looking to speed up your Mac by uninstalling yesteryear’s app and its associated junk files, you need a dedicated uninstaller. And here is our top 3 list.

RatingNameFeaturesInfo
1CleanMyMac XMulti-uninstaller that detects unused appsLink
2HazelAutomated organization of apps and foldersLink
3AppZapperA lightweight drag & drop uninstaller toolLink

Choosing the best Mac Uninstaller

But how to pick which uninstaller to use? Plenty of apps can improve your ability to get rid of junk files, but not all uninstallers are alike. Some uninstallers are a feature of a more comprehensive Mac file manager. Others are designed for only that task.

It can be hard to choose the one that suits your needs. That’s why we created the ranked roundup of the best Mac uninstallers below:

1. CleanMyMac X: A top-tier OSX uninstaller

CleanMyMac X tops our list of app uninstallers for Mac. This powerful all-in-one utility has a variety of features designed to help get the most out of your machine, including malware protection and speed optimization.

But the app’s Uninstaller module means that it can compete with single-function uninstaller apps.

By the way, this app is available for a free download — so do check it out.

CleanMyMac X starts by making the task of uninstalling apps easy. Instead of paging through your application folder, trying to remember if an app is a crucial background utility or a waste of space, you can let CleanMyMac X scan and sort your apps.

You can also arrange lists by the last time you used an app, sort apps by vendors like Adobe, or focus on specific categories, like apps from the App Store.

CleanMyMac X is an app uninstaller that is notarized by Apple, which means it’s safe from malicious files.

When it scans for installed apps, CleanMyMac X automatically locates all the app leftovers, the data caches, and associated files that support each app. When the list gives a number for how much space an app is taking up, that number includes this extra system junk, so you can be sure you’re maximizing your disk space.

You stay in control through the whole process. CleanMyMac X lets you select specific apps from its scan list, and delete them permanently along with their support files. Plus, its disk scan will show you how much space you’re freeing up in real time.

CleanMyMac X wins our top spot for its level of sorting flexibility and control combined with deep-cleaning power for your hard drive.

You can also reset apps with this program. By resetting, I mean restoring any app to its default settings. When you reset an app with CleanMyMac X, it will keep your user-created files intact so you won’t lose your projects.
Use app reset when:
- apps are out of sync

Mac App Uninstaller Free

- apps are not launching

Best App Cleaner And Uninstaller For Mac Free

- apps keep crashing

How to reset applications with CleanMyMac X:

  1. Download the free version of the app.
  2. Click on the Uninstaller tab.
  3. Select an app from the list.
  4. Click on the dropdown menu under “Uninstall” and choose Reset.

2. Hazel: A handy uninstaller for Mac

Hazel is another app with the power to get rid of unneeded apps and junk for good. Another tool with a range of possible uses, Hazel lets you create condition-based rules that automate certain actions on your Mac.

This is useful for file organization, photo naming, archiving, and generally keeping your desktop clean. But this function also shines when you need to get rid of apps for good.

Best App Cleaner And Uninstaller For Mac

Hazel lets you set up special rules for your trash, ensuring that files don’t sit in the bin for too long and take up space on your drive. You can configure the app to automatically empty your trash when it reaches a certain size, or to toss apps when they get too old.

Hazel’s App Sweep automatically searches for support files when you delete an app and gives you the option to get rid of them as well.

Hazel’s rule-based interface certainly makes it useful as an app uninstaller, but some may find it a little more complicated to use. It also lacks some features for identifying and comparing unused apps.

3. App Zapper: A leading app uninstaller for Mac

With App Zapper, drag and drop is the name of the game. This compact uninstaller lets you pull applications from your drive into its interface, then hunts down all the related support files. It stands out for its simplicity and for the depth of its cleanups.

You can also consult the Hit List, an automated list of apps with files taking up space on your hard drive. All you do is select the unwanted app and its support files and hit the Zap button to remove them for good.

Well, almost for good. If the thought of deleting apps permanently makes you nervous, App Zapper has the tool for you. Its “undo” feature lets you unzap files you may have deleted by mistake, reducing the risk that you’ll get rid of something important.

App Zapper is simple but thorough. The app can remove:

  1. Widgets
  2. Plugins
  3. Settings
  4. Junk files
  5. And more
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App Zapper stands out as a straightforward and powerful tool for uninstalling unwanted apps.

4. AppDelete: a powerful Mac app uninstaller


AppDelete is another quick and effective single-purpose uninstaller. Like many of its competitors, this app seeks out and eliminates hard-to-find support files and junk data from the apps you delete. These include widgets, screensavers, preference panes, and other files you might not know were taking up room on your Mac.

When it comes to tossing out unwanted files, AppDelete stands out for its flexibility. While it can permanently remove files from your hard drive, it also gives you the option to log those files or archive them in a space-saving .zip format. This can help improve your Mac’s performance without permanently losing data.

AppDelete has an undo feature that you can use to restore files you deleted by accident.

Best App Cleaner And Uninstaller For Mac Download

If you’re looking for a simple-to-use app uninstaller, AppDelete is a strong option. Some users might prefer an uninstaller that’s offers a wider variety of file management functions, but AppDelete does what it does at a high level.

For a more comprehensive file manager with comparable uninstall functions, try CleanMyMac X.

5. TrashMe: an efficient app uninstaller for Mac


The name says it all: TrashMe hunts down your junk files, whether they belong to an app or not. This uninstaller for Mac not only gets rid of your unwanted apps and their support files, but also seeks out unnecessary duplicates and redundant files, giving you the option to toss them permanently.

It also cleans out your cache to give you back all the disk space it can. TrashMe can even find and erase incomplete downloads and “orphaned” files, which may not show up on other scans.

TrashMe can find incomplete downloads that waste your disk space.

With its thorough scanning and deletion features, TrashMe is a great option for completely uninstalling apps. It also offers a high level of control. Instead of emptying the whole Trash bin, TrashMe lets you select which files to delete permanently and which you want to leave in the trash in case you need them later.

Users who like its deep searches should also check out CleanMyMac X, which offers fine-tuned detection.

6. TuneUpMyMac: a flexible app uninstaller


TuneUpMyMac is a full-featured app uninstaller. It stands out for the range of scans and operations it can perform.

Unlike some of its competitors, which only have a drag-and-drop window or list, TuneUpMyMac has an extensive interface that clearly organizes its features. This means you can do specific tasks, like finding duplicates, without starting a complete scan-and-delete process.

This uninstaller also actively suggests file types that you can safely delete to free up disk space, including unused languages and redundant logs. It also features “one-click cleaning,” which automates several tasks and makes cleanup faster and easier.

TuneUpMyMac hasn’t been updated recently, which may impact its performance with newer computers. Still, it’s a solid option for people looking to free up disk space.


A few final remarks

All these Mac uninstallers are similar in functionality. But speaking of the design and user-friendliness, CleanMyMac X, leaves its counterparts way behind, in my opinion. For example, the visual cues are crystal-clear and the also app gives you personalized tips, like “you have 4 unused apps you can delete.”

Best App Cleaner And Uninstaller For Mac Laptop

That was our take on best Mac apps to delete other apps. Now try them in action and start deleting things — getting rid of old clutter is such a relief!