Diskzy vs Pearcleaner: an honest comparison
Pearcleaner is a free Mac app cleaner, described by its author as inspired by AppCleaner. It uninstalls apps, searches for orphaned files, and includes a range of extras such as Homebrew, package, plugin and services managers, an apps updater, a Finder extension, command line use, and tools for pruning unused translations and architectures from apps. Its source is published under Apache 2.0 with the Commons Clause, and it supports macOS 13 to 26. When checked, its project page listed the status as on hold, with new releases and issue responses paused indefinitely.
Diskzy also uninstalls apps with their leftovers, and puts that next to a disk map, a System Data breakdown and a cleanup list with a reason for each item. It is a paid, closed source app for macOS 15 or later, and it has none of Pearcleaner's Homebrew, plugin or services tools.
| Diskzy | Pearcleaner | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for 72 hours with everything unlocked, then $9 once for 2 Macs. No subscription. | Free. |
| Source code | Closed source. | Source published under Apache 2.0 with the Commons Clause, which prohibits selling it. |
| App uninstaller | Yes. Removes an app with its support files, caches, preferences, containers, launch agents and privileged helpers, with guards so files shared with another app are not touched. | Yes. App uninstall and orphaned file search, with drag and drop, a Finder extension and a monitor that cleans up when an app is moved to the Trash. |
| Homebrew, plugin and services managers | No. | Yes, along with a package manager and an apps updater. |
| Command line use | No. | Yes. |
| Disk map | Maps the whole disk. | Not stated |
| System Data | Breaks System Data into named parts, each sized and marked Safe to clear, Look first or Managed by macOS. | Not stated |
| Cleanup of caches and build folders | Clean up tab lists caches, logs, Xcode leftovers, project build folders, package-manager caches and old installers, each ticked or unticked with a reason. | Not stated beyond a development environment manager and pruning of app translations and architectures. |
| Where deleted files go | The Trash. Nothing is gone until you empty it. | Not stated |
| Requirements | macOS 15 Sequoia or later, Apple silicon and Intel. | macOS 13 to 26. Needs Full Disk Access for file search and a privileged helper for system folders. |
When Pearcleaner is the better choice
Choose Pearcleaner if you want a free uninstaller with published source, need its Homebrew, plugin or services tools, or run macOS 13 or 14, and are comfortable with development being on hold.
When Diskzy is the better choice
Choose Diskzy if you want uninstalling together with a disk map, a System Data breakdown and cleanup suggestions, in an app for macOS 15 or later.
Details about Pearcleaner were checked on October 10, 2026 against github.com. Prices and features change; check their site for the latest.
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See where your Mac's space went
Diskzy maps your disk, explains System Data and clears what's safe. Free for 72 hours, then $9 once for 2 Macs.
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