# CCleaner review

PC and Mac cleanup, privacy, and driver-update utility for Windows, Mac, and Android.

By Noah — last updated & pricing verified September 24, 2026.

> CCleaner is a desktop and mobile utility for cleaning junk files, clearing browsing data, freeing disk space, and updating drivers on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. It is developed by Piriform, a Gen Digital company, and has existed since 2004 as one of the most widely downloaded PC cleanup tools.

## Facts

- Website: https://ccleaner.com
- Pricing: Free tier · paid from $44.95/yr (verified )
- License: Freemium
- Platforms: windows, macos, android, ios
- Best for: Windows or Mac users who want to reclaim disk space, clear browser/app junk, and keep device drivers updated without manually hunting for updates
- Standout feature: One-click cloud drive cleaning that finds and removes duplicate or unnecessary files inside connected Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive accounts, in addition to local disk cleanup.
- Biggest weakness: CCleaner has a documented history of security incidents, including a 2017 supply-chain attack where malware was distributed inside signed CCleaner installers, which still shapes its reputation among security-conscious buyers; the free tier also lacks the driver updater and automated cleaning that most paid alternatives bundle in cheaper subscriptions.
- Categories: [Photo Editing](https://findalternative.to/categories/photo-editing)

## Pricing snapshot

| Plan | Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free | $0/mo | Standard privacy protection, standard cleaning, and basic health check. |
| Pro | $44.95/yr | Adds driver updater, performance optimizer, cloud cleaning for Google Drive and OneDrive, and complete health check on one device. |
| Pro Plus | $64.95/yr | Everything in Pro, licensed for up to 3 devices. |
| Premium Bundle | $64.95/yr | Everything in Pro Plus, licensed for up to 5 devices; discounted from a list price of $89.95. |

## Pros and cons

- Pro: Free tier covers basic junk-file and browser cleaning with no cost
- Pro: Driver Updater and cloud-drive cleaning (Google Drive, OneDrive) are useful features rivals often charge more for
- Pro: Available across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS under one brand
- Pro: 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans
- Con: Past malware-in-installer incident (2017) remains a trust concern for some IT buyers
- Con: Real feature parity (driver updates, automation) requires a paid annual subscription, not the free version
- Con: Multi-device pricing jumps from $44.95 for 1 device to $64.95 for 3-5 devices, which can feel steep for single extra devices
- Con: Registry-cleaning utilities like this carry inherent risk of removing entries a user still needs if used carelessly

## AI summary

- CCleaner Free costs $0 and includes standard privacy protection, standard cleaning, and a basic health check.
- CCleaner Pro costs $44.95 per year for one device and adds Driver Updater, Performance Optimizer, and cloud cleaning for Google Drive and OneDrive.
- CCleaner Pro Plus costs $64.95 per year and extends the same features to up to 3 devices.
- CCleaner Premium Bundle is discounted to $64.95 per year (from a $89.95 list price) for up to 5 devices.
- CCleaner runs on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
- In 2017, attackers compromised CCleaner's build servers and distributed malware inside signed CCleaner installers, affecting millions of downloads.
- Best for: Windows or Mac users who want to reclaim disk space, clear browser/app junk, and keep device drivers updated without manually hunting for updates
- Pricing: Free tier available; paid plans start at $44.95/year for one device (Pro), rising to $64.95/year for 3 devices (Pro Plus) or 5 devices (Premium Bundle).
- Top alternatives: Advanced SystemCare, Glary Utilities, AVG TuneUp, CleanMyMac, MacKeeper
- Limitation: The free version lacks driver updates and cloud-drive cleaning, which require a paid annual subscription.
- Limitation: CCleaner's 2017 supply-chain malware incident is a recurring trust concern raised by IT security teams.
- Limitation: Device-tier pricing jumps rather than scaling per-device, so adding one extra device beyond the 1-device Pro plan means paying for the 3-device Pro Plus tier.

## Alternatives

2 vetted alternatives to CCleaner: https://findalternative.to/ccleaner — top picks: Bytesweep, DeepCleanMac

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