Pearcleaner

Mac app cleanup, honestly reviewed. No marketing fluff, just what you get when you install it.

TL;DR

• What it is: A free, source-available Mac app cleaner that finds and removes the full footprint of uninstalled applications — not just the .app bundle [2].
• Who it’s for: Mac users on storage-constrained machines, developers who install and uninstall tools frequently, and anyone who’s been dragging apps to Trash thinking that’s the whole job [1][2].
• Cost: $0. No subscription, no freemium, no “pro” tier. The software is free to download and use [1][3].
• Key strength: Finds roughly 98% of associated app files — cached data, preferences, logs, containers — and shows them to you before deleting anything. The Trash-first approach means no accidental permanent deletions [2].
• Key weakness: The developer has explicitly flagged limited bandwidth for maintenance. The project is described as a personal hobby app with an opinionated scope — feature requests that conflict with the developer’s vision get closed [README].

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What is Pearcleaner

When you drag a Mac app to the Trash, you remove the .app bundle. What stays behind is everything else: preference files in ~/Library/Preferences/, cached data in ~/Library/Caches/, application support folders, logs, container data, and group container data. On a machine you’ve used for a few years, this residue accumulates to gigabytes [2].

Pearcleaner is a free Mac utility that fixes this. It was built by Alin Lupascu, an open-source developer and Swift/SwiftUI hobbyist based in Utah, as a learning project around how macOS handles app installation and removal [README]. The stated inspiration is Freemacsoft’s AppCleaner — a long-standing free tool in the same category — and a privacy-focused app-cleaner shell script by Sun Knudsen [README].

The project sits at 11,803 GitHub stars, which for a niche Mac desktop utility is a strong signal of genuine adoption. The license is described by the developer as “fair-code” — source-available but not fully open source in the OSI sense. You can read the code, but commercial redistribution is restricted [README].

The interface takes a two-panel approach. The left sidebar lists every installed application on your machine along with its file size. Selecting an app populates the main panel with every associated file and folder Pearcleaner can locate — not just the bundle, but all the scattered Library data. You review the list, deselect anything you want to keep, then delete. Files go to Trash first, not permanently, which is the right call for a deletion tool [1][2].

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Why people choose it over dragging to Trash (and over AppCleaner)

The core case for Pearcleaner is simple arithmetic. Leon Wong’s Medium guide [2] puts the number plainly: dragging an app to Trash removes roughly 60% of its files. The other 40% stays spread across Library folders and keeps consuming disk space indefinitely. Pearcleaner finds 98%+ of that footprint. On a MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, recovering 10–20GB of leftover app data from years of installs isn’t unusual.

The comparison that matters most for users already aware of this problem is Pearcleaner vs. AppCleaner, the incumbent free option that’s been around since the mid-2000s. The drbuho.com comparison [3] lands here:

• AppCleaner wins on simplicity and brand trust. It’s been around longer, has a minimal interface, and does its job without much configuration. It’s what most people already have installed.
• Pearcleaner wins on feature depth. The Homebrew Manager, App Lipo, grid/list view options, size-based sorting, Sentinel Monitor, theme customization, and Finder Extension are all absent from AppCleaner [3]. If you want to do more than just uninstall one app at a time, Pearcleaner is the more capable tool.

The drbuho.com review [3] summarizes it: AppCleaner is thorough at its one job, Pearcleaner is more powerful and customizable. For developers who manage a lot of software — tools that get installed and removed constantly, Homebrew packages that accumulate, universal binaries that bloat storage — Pearcleaner’s deeper feature set justifies the slightly steeper learning surface.

The macsales.com review [1] adds the storage angle: the value is highest for Mac users on storage-constrained hardware, which in Apple’s product lineup means a large percentage of MacBook Air and base MacBook Pro buyers. Paying $2,000 for a laptop and then having that laptop tell you storage is full because of app residue from apps you deleted two years ago is the exact problem this tool solves.

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Features

Core uninstallation

• App Uninstall with full file discovery across all Library locations [README][2]
• Files sent to Trash rather than permanently deleted — you can undo [2]
• Displays associated files before removal so you can deselect anything you want to keep [1][2]
• Drag-and-drop apps directly onto Pearcleaner as an alternative to browsing the list [README]
• CLI support and deep link automation for scripted uninstall workflows [README]

Finding leftover files

• Orphaned File Search: scans for files associated with apps that are no longer installed [README]
• Covers all standard Library locations: Caches, Preferences, Application Support, Logs, Containers, Group Containers [2]
• Adjustable search sensitivity and configurable include/exclude directories [README]

Developer and power-user utilities

• Homebrew Manager: view and manage Homebrew-installed packages [README][3]
• App Lipo: strips unused CPU architectures from universal binaries without requiring Xcode’s lipo binary. A universal app built for both Intel and Apple Silicon can be slimmed down to only the architecture your machine uses [README][3]
• PKG Manager: manage installer package receipts [README]
• Plugin Manager: handle app plugins [README]
• Services Manager: manage system services [README]
• Apps Updater: check for and apply app updates [README]
• Development Environment Manager: clean up development tool footprints [README]

Automation

• Sentinel Monitor: runs in ~2MB RAM and triggers automatic cleanup when apps are moved to Trash. You move the app to Trash, Sentinel detects it, Pearcleaner cleans the associated files [README][3]
• Finder Extension: right-click any app in Finder to uninstall it directly [README][3]

Other utilities

• Prune unused app language localizations — keep only the languages you use, reclaim storage [README]
• Export app bundles and file lists [README]
• Basic Steam games support [README]
• List and Grid view with badges identifying web and iOS apps [README][3]

Customization

• Theme system with custom colors [README][3]
• Mini-mode for a compact interface [3]
• Sorting by size [3]

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Pricing: free vs. paid alternatives math

Pearcleaner is free. No tiers, no subscriptions, no license key. Download it from GitHub releases or install it via Homebrew [README].

The paid alternative in this category that most Mac users encounter is CleanMyMac. CleanMyMac charges $34.95/year for a single Mac license or $74.95/year for up to 5 Macs (pricing as of this writing — data from the CleanMyMac website, not independently verified for this article). It bundles an app uninstaller alongside malware scanning, speed optimization tools, and a privacy cleaner.

The honest comparison: if you specifically want app uninstallation, CleanMyMac’s extra features are tools you may never use, and you’re paying $35/year for them. Pearcleaner does the uninstallation job for $0. The Homebrew Manager, App Lipo, and Sentinel Monitor cover developer workflows that CleanMyMac doesn’t address at all [README][3].

The math over three years: CleanMyMac at $34.95/year = $104.85. Pearcleaner = $0. The counter-argument is that CleanMyMac is a commercial product with a full-time team behind it. Pearcleaner is a solo developer’s hobby project with explicitly limited maintenance bandwidth [README]. That trade-off is real and worth weighing.

AppCleaner (Freemacsoft) is also free and covers basic app uninstallation. If Pearcleaner’s feature depth is more than you need, AppCleaner is a reasonable alternative with a longer track record.

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Deployment reality check

This is a Mac desktop application, not a server tool. Installation takes minutes.

Via Homebrew (recommended):

brew install --cask pearcleaner

Future updates: brew upgrade --cask pearcleaner. No manual download management [2][README].

Via direct download: Download the .dmg from the GitHub releases page, drag to Applications, done [README].

macOS version requirements:

• macOS Ventura (13.x) and later [README]
• macOS Sonoma (14.x) ✅
• macOS Sequoia (15.x) ✅
• macOS Tahoe (26.x) ✅
• Versions before 13.0 are not supported — older Swift/SwiftUI APIs are missing [README]

Permissions you’ll need to grant:

• Full Disk Access: required to search Library folders. Without it, Pearcleaner can only see files in user-accessible locations [README][1].
• Privileged Helper: required to act on system-level folders. macOS will prompt for this on first use [README].

The macsales.com reviewer [1] tested across multiple Apple silicon Macs and found the app reliable and safe. The Trash-first deletion model means you have a recovery window after any removal [2].

One honest concern: the README includes a notice that the developer has taken on a side project and has limited spare time for updates. He invites Swift/SwiftUI contributors to submit PRs. This isn’t a red flag for a free utility — but if you’re installing this on a managed machine or recommending it to clients, know that the maintenance cadence is one person’s hobby schedule, not a company’s [README]. The current version (5.4.3) is described as “Maintained,” but the notice is there.

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Actually free. No subscription, no “lite” mode, no in-app purchases. The full feature set is free [1][README].
• Finds what Trash misses. The 60%-to-98% improvement in file recovery is the headline reason to use it over drag-to-Trash [2]. For storage-constrained Macs, this is a meaningful difference.
• Trash-first safety. Files are sent to Trash, not permanently deleted on first pass. You can review and recover [2]. This is the right behavior for a deletion tool.
• Shows you before it deletes. The file list is visible and editable before any action is taken [1][2].
• Deeper than AppCleaner. Homebrew Manager, App Lipo, Sentinel Monitor, and Finder Extension are features AppCleaner doesn’t have [3].
• Sentinel Monitor is genuinely useful. Automatic cleanup on Trash for ~2MB RAM overhead is a sensible design [README][3].
• App Lipo is a hidden gem. Removing unused architectures from universal binaries can recover hundreds of MB on Apple Silicon Macs that will never run Intel code [README][3].
• Homebrew Cask install. One command, easy updates, no website hunting [2][README].
• Source-available. You can read the code and verify what it does [README].

Cons

• Solo developer with limited bandwidth. The README explicitly says the developer has no spare time currently. Issues and feature requests are backlogged. PRs are reviewed when possible [README]. For a tool that touches file deletion, this maintenance reality matters.
• Fair-code license, not OSI open source. Source-available, but not freely forkable or redistributable for commercial purposes [README]. For personal use this is irrelevant, but it’s not an MIT-licensed tool.
• macOS 13+ only. If you’re running anything older than Ventura, you’re out [README].
• Opinionated about feature scope. The README explicitly states: “Opinion-based requests (e.g., ‘the layout would look better this way’) will not be considered.” This is honest but means the UI is what it is [README].
• No Windows or Linux version. Mac-only by design [README].
• Privileged Helper permission required. Some users are cautious about granting elevated permissions to third-party tools — it’s worth understanding what the helper is doing before approving [README].
• No third-party security audit. Unlike CleanMyMac, which has a commercial product team, there’s no published security review of the privileged helper code.

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Who should use this / who shouldn’t

Use Pearcleaner if:

• You have a Mac with limited storage (256GB or 512GB) and apps accumulate over time.
• You install and uninstall developer tools, frameworks, and utilities frequently.
• You use Homebrew and want to manage casks from a GUI.
• You have universal binaries (apps built for both Intel and Apple Silicon) and want to strip the architecture you don’t use.
• You want a free alternative to CleanMyMac’s app uninstaller feature specifically.
• You’re comfortable granting Full Disk Access and Privileged Helper to a source-available application you can verify.

Skip it if:

• You’re on macOS 12 or older — it won’t run [README].
• You need a commercially supported, actively maintained product with a full team behind it. For that, CleanMyMac is the category answer.
• You’re an IT admin managing a fleet of Macs and need an enterprise-licensed tool.
• You want a fully OSI-licensed open source solution — the fair-code license doesn’t qualify [README].

AppCleaner is enough if:

• You only need to uninstall apps occasionally and don’t care about Homebrew management, App Lipo, or Sentinel Monitor.
• You want the most battle-tested, long-lived free option with minimal UI complexity.

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Alternatives worth considering

• AppCleaner (Freemacsoft) — The original free Mac app cleaner. Simpler interface, no Homebrew integration, no App Lipo. Longer track record, active maintenance. Start here if Pearcleaner feels like too much [3].
• CleanMyMac — Commercial, $34.95/year. Bundles app uninstaller with malware scanner, speed tools, and privacy cleaner. Full-time team, polished UI, supported on older macOS. The paid option to consider if you want professional support and a broader toolset.
• AppZapper — Older paid option ($12.95 one-time). Less actively developed but functional. Sits between AppCleaner and CleanMyMac in scope.
• AppDelete — Another paid option (~$7.99), similar positioning to AppZapper. Available on the App Store.
• Manual Library cleanup — Sun Knudsen’s guide (the project Pearcleaner credits as inspiration) documents how to do this manually via Terminal. Good for understanding what’s happening; impractical for regular use.

For most Mac users, the realistic choice is Pearcleaner vs. AppCleaner (both free) or Pearcleaner vs. CleanMyMac (free vs. subscription). If you’re a developer who lives in the Terminal and uses Homebrew, Pearcleaner’s utility management features tip the scale in its favor over AppCleaner. If you want a tool that will be maintained regardless of one developer’s schedule, CleanMyMac is the insurance policy.

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Bottom line

Pearcleaner solves a real Mac problem — that deleting an app doesn’t actually delete the app — and it solves it better than doing nothing and better than the basic free alternatives, particularly for power users who install and remove a lot of software. The Homebrew Manager and App Lipo features push it beyond a simple app cleaner into something that belongs in a developer’s standard Mac toolkit. At zero cost, the question isn’t whether it’s worth buying. It’s whether you’re comfortable with a solo developer’s hobby project touching file deletion on your machine.

The honest answer: yes, because the code is source-available, the deletion model is Trash-first, and 11,800+ GitHub stars suggest a lot of people have made the same call. The maintenance caveat is real — if the developer stays occupied with his SaaS side project, issue response will be slow — but the current version works. If the maintenance risk is a dealbreaker, CleanMyMac’s subscription buys you a full team. If it isn’t, Pearcleaner is the better tool at the better price.

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Sources

1. Krishna Sadasivam, macsales.com — “PearCleaner Lets You Uninstall Mac Apps the Safe, Easy Way” (October 10, 2025). https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/97526-pearcleaner-lets-you-uninstall-mac-apps-the-safe-easy-way/
2. Leon Wong, medium.com — “How to Completely Uninstall Mac Apps with Pearcleaner (Homebrew Guide)” (November 7, 2025). https://medium.com/@leonwong282/how-to-completely-uninstall-mac-apps-with-pearcleaner-homebrew-guide-7a7c6ae271b7
3. Clare, drbuho.com — “AppCleaner vs Pearcleaner: Which One Is Better? 2026 Review” (Published February 21, 2025; updated January 5, 2026). https://www.drbuho.com/review/appcleaner-vs-pearcleaner

Primary sources:

• GitHub repository and README: https://github.com/alienator88/pearcleaner (11,803 stars, fair-code license)
• Developer website: https://itsalin.com/appInfo