AppCleaner vs Pearcleaner: Which One Is Better? | 2025 Review

Maintaining your Mac’s performance often involves deleting unwanted apps. Both AppCleaner and Pearcleaner are popular tools that help users properly remove applications and their associated files. But which one is better for your needs? In this review, we’ll compare both tools and help you decide which is the best option for your Mac. And as a bonus, we will introduce a better alternative to them. Let's get started.

What Is AppCleaner?

AppCleaner is a free, open-source tool designed to help users uninstall apps on macOS completely. It works by not only removing the app itself but also finding and deleting all associated files like preferences, caches, and logs often left behind during manual uninstallation. This ensures that your system stays clean and that unnecessary files don’t accumulate over time, which could slow down your Mac.

AppCleaner is popular for its simplicity. Users can simply drag and drop an app into the AppCleaner window, and it will show all related files for removal. It’s a great option for anyone who wants a quick and easy way to uninstall apps without worrying about leftover files.

What Is Pearcleaner?

Pearcleaner is another free, open-source Mac app cleaner inspired by AppCleaner. It aims to provide a simple way to uninstall apps and remove any residual files. Its simplicity makes it appealing to users who want a no-frills app uninstallation tool.

AppCleaner vs Pearcleaner: Which One Is Better?

Now that we've introduced both tools, let's compare them across different key aspects to determine which is more suitable for your needs.

1. Ease of Use

• AppCleaner: AppCleaner is known for its straightforward interface. It’s very simple to use – just drag and drop an app into the window, and the tool will find all the associated files. It doesn’t offer too many extra options, which makes it perfect for users who want a hassle-free solution.
• Pearcleaner: Pearcleaner also offers an easy-to-use interface, focusing purely on app uninstallation. While it lacks the SmartDetect feature of AppCleaner, it’s still incredibly simple for users to use. However, compared to AppCleaner, PearCleaner’s design feels more detailed.

2. Features

• AppCleaner: AppCleaner’s main feature is its thorough app uninstallation. It scans for not only the main app files but also related files like caches, preferences, and logs. In addition, it has a SmartDelete feature that automatically detects applications moved to the Trash and reminds you to delete their related files.

• Pearcleaner: Pearcleaner’s feature set is much more limited. It does one thing: app uninstallation. While it does this well, it doesn't offer the same thorough finding of files related to an app. This could be a disadvantage if you want a more comprehensive cleaning solution.

3. Pricing

Both AppCleaner and Pearcleaner are completely free. No hidden fees to worry about.

4. Performance

• AppCleaner: AppCleaner is known for its speed and efficiency. It quickly and smartly finds related files for the apps you want to uninstall. It doesn’t put a significant load on system resources, making it a solid option for users who want a fast, effective cleaning tool.

• Pearcleaner: Pearcleaner also performs well and does the job quickly. However, it doesn’t go as deep as AppCleaner.

5. Compatibility

• AppCleaner: AppCleaner is compatible with all versions of macOS, making it a great option for users with older Macs or newer macOS versions like Big Sur, Monterey, or even the latest versions.
• Pearcleaner: Pearcleaner is also compatible with most macOS versions. However, it is worth checking if the tool works well with the specific version of macOS you are using.

Best Alternative to AppCleaner and Pearcleaner - BuhoCleaner

While both AppCleaner and Pearcleaner are great choices for uninstalling apps on Mac, BuhoCleaner offers a more comprehensive solution for those who want more than just app uninstallation.

BuhoCleaner is an all-in-one Mac cleaning tool developed by Dr.Buho Inc. Unlike AppCleaner and Pearcleaner, BuhoCleaner offers deeper app removal by searching for residual files more thoroughly. In addition to that, it helps users clean junk files, optimize system performance, remove duplicate and large files, and monitor Mac performance in real time. BuhoCleaner offers both free and paid versions to meet different needs. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, BuhoCleaner is a good choice for you.

Click the button below to try it out yourself.

Conclusion

According to our tests, AppCleaner does a better job than Pearcleaner in terms of thorough and intelligent uninstallation. However, both of them are completely free to use. Simply choose the one you like.

If you're looking for a more comprehensive app uninstaller and Mac cleaner, BuhoCleaner is definitely the best choice. Although BuhoCleaner is powerful, you don't pay as much as similar products like CleanMyMac and MacKeeper. Moreover, it is available in free and paid versions, catering to every user's needs.