---
title: "Tidy Mac vs Pearcleaner and AppCleaner: which to use?"
description: "Pearcleaner and AppCleaner are free app uninstallers. Tidy Mac removes apps and leftovers too, and explains and cleans the rest of System Data."
url: https://tidymac.space/compare/tidymac-vs-pearcleaner/
updated: 2026-10-16
---

[Home](/) [Compare](/compare/) Tidy Mac vs Pearcleaner and AppCleaner

# Tidy Mac vs Pearcleaner and AppCleaner

Pearcleaner and AppCleaner are free app uninstallers. Tidy Mac removes apps and leftovers too, and explains and cleans the rest of System Data.

Updated October 2, 2026By the Tidy Mac team

The short version

If 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](https://github.com/alienator88/Pearcleaner), October 2026. Prices and features change; [tell us](mailto:hello@tidymac.space) if something is out of date.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.

![](/img/brand/tidy-128.png)

### 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.

[Download](/download/TidyMac.dmg) [Buy for $9.99 once](/buy/)

## Keep reading

[Tidy Mac vs PureMac](/compare/tidymac-vs-puremac/)[Tidy Mac vs AppCleaner](/compare/tidymac-vs-appcleaner/)[Tidy Mac vs GrandPerspective](/compare/tidymac-vs-grandperspective/)[Tidy Mac vs CleanMyMac](/compare/tidymac-vs-cleanmymac/)[Tidy Mac vs DaisyDisk](/compare/tidymac-vs-daisydisk/)[Tidy Mac vs OmniDiskSweeper](/compare/tidymac-vs-omnidisksweeper/)[Tidy Mac vs the built-in macOS Storage settings](/compare/tidymac-vs-macos-storage-settings/)[Tidy Mac vs Mole](/compare/tidymac-vs-mole/)[Tidy Mac vs OnyX](/compare/tidymac-vs-onyx/)[Tidy Mac vs MacKeeper](/compare/tidymac-vs-mackeeper/)[Tidy Mac vs Sensei](/compare/tidymac-vs-sensei/)

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#### On this page

[Side by side](#side-by-side)[Who should pick which](#who-should-pick-which)[About Pearcleaner and AppCleaner](#about)

**Tidy Mac**

See this on your own Mac in under a minute. $9.99 once, 2 Macs.

[Download](/download/TidyMac.dmg)