MiniSpace vs CleanMyMac
CleanMyMac is the big all-in-one suite: clean-up, uninstaller, duplicates, a visual map and malware protection, notarized by Apple and sold as a subscription or a higher one-time price. MiniSpace is a small one-time purchase that covers the space-recovery half of that, moves everything to the Trash first, and can undo every move.
Facts about CleanMyMac were read on MacPaw's own pages on 10 November 2026. Prices and features change, so check their site before you decide.
Side by side
| MiniSpace | CleanMyMac | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 one-time | Annual, monthly or one-time plans for 1, 2 or 5 Macs. MacPaw's pages list plans from $3.33 a month, about $39.95 a year, or about $119.99 one-time for one Mac. Their store prices by region, so check it for your exact price |
| Trial and refund | No trial build; 14-day refund | 7-day trial; 30-day money-back (14 days on the monthly plan) |
| Signing | Ad-hoc signed, not notarized by Apple | Notarized by Apple, per MacPaw |
| Runs on | Apple Silicon only, macOS 12 or later | macOS 11 or later |
| Where you get it | Direct download after purchase | MacPaw Store, Mac App Store (with some features restricted) and Setapp |
| Visual disk map | Yes, a treemap coloured by age, plus largest files | Yes, Space Lens |
| Clean-up categories | Yes, 17 categories, each explained and labelled Safe, Review first or Show only | Yes, including System Junk, Mail Attachments and Trash Bins |
| App uninstaller | Yes, with leftovers ranked by confidence; Apple apps protected | Yes, with leftovers |
| Duplicate finder | Yes, byte-identical files of 1 MB and up, verified by SHA-256 | Yes, plus similar images |
| Malware scanner | No | Yes, Moonlock engine with a real-time monitor |
| Scheduling | Optional; scans and reminders, and a consented Move to Trash for Xcode DerivedData, only while the app is open | Not stated on their pages |
| How it removes files | Moves to the Trash first. Empty Trash is the only permanent action and needs your confirmation | Their knowledge base says files removed by the Duplicates and Large & Old Files modules are deleted permanently and bypass the Trash. Other modules: not stated |
| Undo | Yes, Undo and Put back for every move, from a local recovery log | Not stated on their pages |
Pick CleanMyMac if
- You want malware protection and performance tools in the same app.
- You want an app notarized by Apple, or want to install it from the Mac App Store or Setapp.
- You want a 7-day trial before paying.
Pick MiniSpace if
- You want to pay once, at a low price, with no subscription.
- You want every removal to go to the Trash first, with Undo.
- Your Mac fills up with developer data: Xcode, simulators, package caches, AI models.
Before you buy. MiniSpace is ad-hoc signed and not notarized by Apple, so macOS warns you the first time you open it. The first-open guide shows the steps. It needs Apple Silicon (M1 or later) and macOS 12 or later.
$9.99 once. 14-day refund. See Refunds.
Sources
CleanMyMac is a product of MacPaw. MiniSpace is not affiliated with or endorsed by MacPaw. Product names belong to their owners.
Other comparisons: MiniSpace vs DaisyDisk, MiniSpace vs AppCleaner, MiniSpace vs OmniDiskSweeper.