Pearcleaner

Name: Pearcleaner
Brand: Pearcleaner

Open source Mac app uninstaller that finds every leftover file

softwareSystem Cleanersmac uninstallerapp cleanermacos utility

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Our Verdict

Best for

Mac users who want a free, open-source way to fully remove apps and their leftover files, including Homebrew casks.

Skip if

You're on an older macOS version before Ventura, or need a Windows equivalent.

What is Pearcleaner?

Pearcleaner is a free, open-source macOS app uninstaller that goes beyond dragging an app to the Trash. It scans Library folders for the caches, logs, preferences, containers, and launch agents an app leaves behind, and can also find orphaned files from apps that were already removed without a proper uninstall.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentDesktop App

open source✅ Yes

api available❌ No

support optionsGitHub issues, community

key integrationsHomebrew

Key Features of Pearcleaner

Scans macOS Library folders for caches, logs, preferences, containers, and launch agents left behind after an app is dragged to Trash.

Finds orphaned files from applications that were already removed without a proper uninstall.

Includes a Homebrew package manager view for cleaning up formulae and casks alongside regular apps.

Sentinel Monitor watches for app deletions in Finder and automatically offers to clean up the related leftover files.

App Lipo strips unused CPU architecture slices from universal binaries to reclaim disk space.

Provides an undo manager that restores the last several cleanup operations from Trash.

Adds a Finder right-click extension and supports deep-link automation plus a command-line interface.

Prunes unused language and translation bundles to shrink installed app sizes.

Use Cases for Pearcleaner

Fully removing an unwanted app

Delete an application along with all its scattered support files in one pass instead of hunting through Library folders manually.

Cleaning up after a previous uninstall

Find and remove orphaned files left behind by apps that were already deleted without a proper uninstaller.

Freeing space with Homebrew cleanup

Manage and clean up Homebrew formulae and casks from the same interface used for regular app uninstalls.

Reclaiming space with App Lipo on Apple Silicon

Strip unused Intel or Apple Silicon code from universal binaries to shrink installed app sizes.

Pros & Cons of Pearcleaner

Pros

Completely free, open source, with no account or subscription required
Deletions go to Trash first, so removals are reversible
Actively used by a large community with over 11,000 GitHub stars
Goes beyond basic uninstalling with Homebrew, architecture, and language cleanup tools

Cons

Update cadence has slowed since the developer took on a full-time job
macOS only, no Windows equivalent
Requires macOS 13 Ventura or newer, so older Macs are unsupported

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pearcleaner free?

Yes, it is free and open source under Apache 2.0 with the Commons Clause.

Does Pearcleaner delete files permanently?

No, deletions go to Trash first so they can be restored if needed.

Which Macs does Pearcleaner support?

macOS 13 Ventura and newer, as a universal binary for Apple Silicon and Intel.

Can Pearcleaner clean up Homebrew packages?

Yes, it includes a built-in Homebrew manager alongside regular app uninstalling.

Pricing Overview

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Free

Detailed plans are not listed. Visit the official website for pricing information.

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CleanMyMac

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CleanMyMac, made by MacPaw, is a Mac maintenance utility that scans for junk files, unused apps, and duplicates to free up storage and improve system performance. It also includes anti-malware scanning, background app management, and hard drive visualization to help users see exactly what's taking up space. Beyond cleanup, CleanMyMac handles complete app uninstalls (removing leftover files most uninstalls miss), cloud storage cleanup, and duplicate file detection. It's Apple-notarized software with over 29 million downloads and 18 years of Mac-focused development since 2008.

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