CleanMyMac X is available on the MacPaw Store, the App Store, and Setapp. These platforms differ in pricing, billing, permitted features of CleanMyMac X, and other aspects. Let's discuss all the differences, so that you could pick up a marketplace that's right for you.
Pricing, upgrades, and other purchase options
CleanMyMac X prices depend on different factors like a number of covered devices, upgrade possibilities, and country-specific taxes. That’s why you should check current pricing plans right at the particular store.
As for purchase options, have a look at this table:
MacPaw Store |
App Store |
Setapp |
|
Pricing and purchase information |
|||
Monthly subscription |
Not available |
Not available |
+ |
Annual subscription |
+ |
+ |
+ |
One-time purchase |
+ |
+ |
Not available |
Free trial |
Free 7-day trial, with no limitations in the functionality |
Free 7-day trial, with no limitations in the functionality |
Trial period; fully functional but limited in time |
Free upgrade to major versions |
Only for subscribers* |
+ |
+ |
| Number of devices |
|
Your Apple ID devices |
|
| Other advantages |
|
|
Unlimited access to 200+ Mac apps** |
* One-time purchase includes all updates and improvements, except for the major version upgrades. For example, a one-time purchase license of CleanMyMac 3 hasn’t implied upgrade to the latest CleanMyMac X. Any subscription plan gives you all future upgrades.
Learn more about the difference
between a subscription and a one-time purchase plan.
** No matter how many applications you use (CleanMyMac X only or more than 200 apps), you pay a single subscription fee. All apps are fully-functional, restriction- and ad-free. Upgrades are included too.
CleanMyMac X for Apple Business Manager
If you’re looking for a way to buy and distribute CleanMyMac X in your organization using Apple Business Manager (ABM), there’s CleanMyMac X Business. This version is available on the App Store and has the same functionality as CleanMyMac X — plus support for ABM and its core features, like purchasing multiple licenses, remote deployment, and more.
Available features and restrictions
The MacPaw Store and Setapp versions of CleanMyMac X slightly differ from the App Store one. In particular, the application review guidelines of Apple don’t permit some of CleanMyMac X features, so we had to either revise or step back from them. Nevertheless, this edition of the app still includes an impressive bunch of cleanup and optimization tools.
If you want nothing less than an “uncensored” CleanMyMac X, follow millions of Mac users worldwide and choose either the MacPaw Store or Setapp.
Why does the App Store restrict CleanMyMac features?
The fact that some CleanMyMac X features aren’t available on the App Store doesn’t mean they’re harmful or illegal. The App Store limits privileges of applications to protect your Mac from malicious software, but this approach also imposes unnecessary restrictions on safe activities, like cleaning system logs or even updating applications. That’s exactly what happened to CleanMyMac X.
NOTE: CleanMyMac X distributed via the MacPaw Store and Setapp is safe for your Mac and notarized by Apple. Here you can read more about safety and privacy concerns of the app: Is CleanMyMac X safe?
Modules of CleanMyMac X that aren’t available from the App Store
You won’t find the following modules of CleanMyMac X in its App Store version since their functionality is not allowed on this marketplace:
Modules of CleanMyMac X revised in the App Store version
Several modules of CleanMyMac X have gone through changes to reach the App Store and lost some categories, though the modules, in general, remain available.
Initially, CleanMyMac’s Smart Scan included Cleanup, Protection, and Speed scanners. However, in the App Store version, Speed is replaced with the Large & Old Files scanner, which is a good opportunity to tidy up your files.
The following cleanup categories aren’t available from the App Store:
- Xcode Simulators
- System Log Files
- System Caches Files
- Language Files
- Deleted Users
The following cleanup categories aren’t available from the App Store:
- Photos Library
- Photos Library Duplicates (cleanup of the album created by the Gemini 2 app)
The following privacy items aren’t available from the App Store:
- Wi-Fi Networks
- Cookies
- Application Permissions
The following items were restricted in the App Store edition:
- Heavy consumers
- Hung Applications
- Launch Agents: the category is available in the App Store version but enabling/disabling of launch agent is not allowed (you can review and uninstall agents)
- Login Items: the category is available in the App Store version but for the review purpose only.
Uninstaller can't remove binaries of the App Store applications but you still can reset them. Plus, CleanMyMac won’t offer you to remove Leftovers in this module. All other features function properly.
You won’t be able to do the following things:
- Monitor some hardware parameters of your Mac:
- Health and temperature for your hard drive
- CPU temperature
- Quit resource-consuming apps
- Manage connected iOS devices
- Use real-time malware monitor
Other features are right where they have to be.
In general, these are all differences you may notice. The App Store version of CleanMyMac X has also lost its Updater and Agent components but they belong to the hidden background processes.
Please compare existing purchase offers of CleanMyMac X carefully and choose your favorite. If you need any assistance, contact our Support Team — we're always ready to help 💙💛
