# ctrlhq vs CleanMyMac: Free up space without another subscription.

> ctrlhq vs CleanMyMac: clear node_modules, build folders and caches, find duplicates and fully uninstall apps from the Mac notch. Pay once, no subscription, everything goes to the Trash.

- ctrlhq: $19 once (launch price, regular $49), no subscription, 14-day money-back guarantee. Native, about 12 MB. macOS 26 Tahoe or later.
- CleanMyMac: Mac cleaner. Price: $80 a year. Source: https://macpaw.com/cleanmymac
- Facts checked September 2026. Also relevant if you're looking at Gemini 2, AppCleaner.

CleanMyMac is the best-known Mac cleaner, with malware scanning, maintenance scripts and a polished interface. It's also a yearly subscription, and a big app to keep installed for something you do once a month.

ctrlhq's Mac tab covers what most people open a cleaner for: the space eaten by node_modules, build folders, Xcode and app caches, duplicate files, and apps that leave their junk behind. It shows exactly what it found, never ticks your own files for you, and moves everything to the Trash so you can put it back. It's one tab in a small native app you're already running, for a single payment.

## ctrlhq vs CleanMyMac at a glance

| | ctrlhq | CleanMyMac |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19 once (launch price, then $49) | $80 a year |
| Caches and logs | Yes | Yes |
| Duplicate finder | Yes, confirmed with SHA-256 | Separate app (Gemini) |
| Complete app uninstaller | Yes | Yes |
| Login items and background agents | Yes | Yes |
| App updates (Homebrew, Sparkle, App Store) | Yes | Yes |
| Malware scan | No | Yes |
| Also tracks time, records, takes notes | Yes | No |

## Choose CleanMyMac if

- You want malware scanning and maintenance scripts in one place.
- You don't mind a subscription, or you already have it through Setapp.

## Choose ctrlhq if

- You're a developer and most of your lost space is node_modules, build output and Xcode.
- You'd rather pay once than every year.
- You want every removal to go to the Trash, where you can undo it.

## Lightweight by design

ctrlhq is a native Swift app, about 12 MB to download, with no background daemons. It replaces a handful of single-purpose apps with one that's already running in your notch.

## The ctrlhq features that cover CleanMyMac

- [Disk cleanup](https://ctrlhq.app/features/disk-cleanup): One scan shows what's safe to clear, what's worth a look, and the biggest files and folders on your Mac.
- [Duplicate finder](https://ctrlhq.app/features/duplicate-finder): Every match is a full SHA-256, never a guess from a name. Keep the first copy and stage the rest in one click.
- [App uninstaller](https://ctrlhq.app/features/app-uninstaller): Uninstall an app and everything it left behind, see what it did all day, update it, and stop it starting at login.

## FAQ

### Is ctrlhq a CleanMyMac alternative?

For clearing space, finding duplicates and uninstalling apps, yes. It doesn't scan for malware.

### Does ctrlhq delete things on its own?

Never. It lists what it found, you confirm, and it moves the files to the Trash. You can empty the Trash from ctrlhq when you're sure.

### Does it need Full Disk Access?

No. Without it ctrlhq skips other apps' private containers; with it, those are scanned too.

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CleanMyMac is a trademark of its owner. ctrlhq isn't affiliated with it. Download ctrlhq: https://ctrlhq.app/download · All comparisons: https://ctrlhq.app/compare