Simple uninstall or more app controls?
Both focus on removing apps. Decide whether drag-and-drop is enough or you need orphan, package and automation tools.
AppCleaner
Drop an app to find its related files.
For people who want a minimal, free uninstall workflow.
View details
Pearcleaner
App removal plus orphan, package and Homebrew tools.
For people who want free uninstall tools with more controls; development is on hold.
View detailsThe differences that matter.
Pearcleaner is free and source-available under fair-code terms; active development is on hold. Extra tools do not imply better removal accuracy.
| Feature | AppCleaner | Pearcleaner |
|---|---|---|
| How you operate it | Drag an app into the window | Drag/drop, list/grid, CLI |
| Free / price | Free download · donations | Free · fair-code / source-available |
| Already-deleted app leftovers | Not verified | Dedicated orphan search |
| Package / Homebrew management | Not verified | PKG + Homebrew managers |
| macOS requirement | Current 3.6.8: Mojave–Tahoe | 13+; beta OS unsupported |
| Support / maintenance context | Contact email on official page | Active development on hold |
How you operate it
- AppCleaner
- Drag an app into the window
- Pearcleaner
- Drag/drop, list/grid, CLI
Free / price
- AppCleaner
- Free download · donations
- Pearcleaner
- Free · fair-code / source-available
Already-deleted app leftovers
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- Dedicated orphan search
Package / Homebrew management
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- PKG + Homebrew managers
macOS requirement
- AppCleaner
- Current 3.6.8: Mojave–Tahoe
- Pearcleaner
- 13+; beta OS unsupported
Support / maintenance context
- AppCleaner
- Contact email on official page
- Pearcleaner
- Active development on hold
View all 15 features
Primary job
- AppCleaner
- App removal
- Pearcleaner
- Uninstall + app management
Free / price
- AppCleaner
- Free download · donations
- Pearcleaner
- Free · fair-code / source-available
How you operate it
- AppCleaner
- Drag an app into the window
- Pearcleaner
- Drag/drop, list/grid, CLI
Apps + related files
- AppCleaner
- Find related files before deletion
- Pearcleaner
- Uninstaller + orphan search
Already-deleted app leftovers
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- Dedicated orphan search
Trash monitoring
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- Sentinel Monitor
Finder integration
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- Right-click uninstall extension
Package / Homebrew management
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- PKG + Homebrew managers
App size trimming
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- Remove languages / unused architectures
Update installed apps
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- Apps Updater
Review before removal
- AppCleaner
- Find files, then click delete
- Pearcleaner
- Search exclusions and sensitivity
Native implementation
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
- Pearcleaner
- Swift / SwiftUI
Source / license
- AppCleaner
- Not verified
macOS requirement
- AppCleaner
- Current 3.6.8: Mojave–Tahoe
- Pearcleaner
- 13+; beta OS unsupported
Support / maintenance context
- AppCleaner
- Contact email on official page
- Pearcleaner
- Active development on hold
AppCleaner · Last updated -- · -- releases/year · Checked date: 2026-09-08
Version 3.6.8 is listed without a release date or complete dated history.Pearcleaner · Recorded release 2025-11-26 · 28 releases in the year at review · Checked date: 2026-09-08
Stable GitHub releases; maintainer says active development is on hold.
Version 3.6.8 is listed without a release date or complete dated history.Pearcleaner · Recorded release 2025-11-26 · 28 releases in the year at review · Checked date: 2026-09-08
Stable GitHub releases; maintainer says active development is on hold.
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