Tidy MacIf all you need is to remove apps and the files they leave behind, Pearcleaner and AppCleaner are excellent and free. Pick Tidy Mac when the problem is bigger than one app: it finds leftovers from apps you already deleted, explains every part of System Data, sorts junk by safety, and is $9.99 once, for two Macs.
Side by side
| Feature | Tidy Mac | Pearcleaner and AppCleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Uninstall apps with their leftovers | Yes | Yes |
| Leftovers from apps you already deleted | Yes, matched by bundle ID | Pearcleaner: yes; AppCleaner: limited |
| Explains System Data (caches, backups, simulators, app data) | Yes | No |
| Junk sorted by how safe it is to clear | Yes | No |
| Free-space trend in the menu bar | Yes | No |
| Price model | $9.99 once, 2 Macs | Free |
Based on Pearcleaner and AppCleaner’s public website, October 2026. Prices and features change; tell us if something is out of date.
Who should pick which
Pick Pearcleaner and AppCleaner if…
- You only want to uninstall apps cleanly
- You want a free, focused tool
- You prefer open source (Pearcleaner)
Pick Tidy Mac if…
- Your System Data is huge and not just from apps
- You want caches, backups, simulators and developer files explained too
- You want alerts before your disk fills, and a free-space trend
About Pearcleaner and AppCleaner
AppCleaner (FreeMacSoft) and Pearcleaner (an open-source project by alienator88) are free uninstallers: drop an app in and they find its related files in your Library. Pearcleaner also finds orphaned files from apps already removed.
Get Tidy Mac
See what fills your Mac, System Data included. $9.99 once, on two Macs, with everything going to the Trash first. Use both tools if you like.