Help · Comparison
The free Mac uninstaller that shows you everything first.
AppCleaner and Pearcleaner are free, and so is Pangalin Uninstaller, with every feature included. Here's what it does that they don't, side by side.
Why people choose Pangalin Uninstaller
- Every file shown before anything moves, with its size, its location and a note on anything risky. Shared audio plug-ins and licence folders start unticked, and folders other apps still use are always kept.
- Leftovers of apps you deleted long ago, found and removed from the Leftovers tab.
- A Startup tab to see and switch off what launches with your Mac.
- App Store and installer apps, and the Mac-wide /Library, removed through a background helper with your approval.
- A Genuine? tick on every app, checked on your Mac: gold when it's signed by its known developer, red for a possible fake.
- Privacy permissions reset when you remove an app (Camera, Microphone, Photos and others).
- Plain-English explanations of any file or app, written on your Mac by Apple Intelligence (macOS 26).
- Actively developed: version 1.8 shipped in October 2026. Pearcleaner's README says its development has been on hold since the end of 2025.
Side by side
| Pangalin Uninstaller | AppCleaner | Pearcleaner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, every feature included | Free (donations welcome) | Free |
| Every file shown before removal, with notes on risky items | ✓ Yes | Lists files to remove | Lists files to remove |
| Leftovers of apps you already deleted | ✓ Yes (Leftovers tab) | ✗ Not listed on its site | ✓ Yes (orphaned files) |
| Startup items | ✓ Startup tab: see, switch off or remove | ✗ Not listed on its site | Services manager |
| Genuine? tick: who signed each app, possible fakes flagged | ✓ Yes, checked on your Mac | ✗ Not listed on its site | ✗ Not listed in its README |
| Resets a removed app's privacy permissions | ✓ Yes (Camera, Microphone, Photos and others) | ✗ Not listed on its site | ✗ Not listed in its README |
| Undo the last removal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Not listed in its README |
| Plain-English explanations of files and apps | ✓ Yes, on your Mac (macOS 26) | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Latest release | ✓ 1.8, October 2026 | 3.7, 22 September 2026 | 5.4.3, 26 November 2025; on hold, says its README |
| Macs | Apple silicon, macOS 13 or later | 3.7: macOS 15 or later | macOS 13 to 26 |
| Source code | Closed | Closed | Published (source-available licence) |
Checked 11 October 2026 on AppCleaner's site and release notes, and Pearcleaner's GitHub page. We make Pangalin Uninstaller, so we're not neutral: every fact about another app comes from that developer's own pages, linked and dated. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.
Fair to say
AppCleaner runs on Intel Macs and Pangalin Uninstaller doesn't, so on an Intel Mac use AppCleaner. Pearcleaner's source code is published and it also manages Homebrew packages. And only download any of these from its developer: security researchers at Moonlock reported a fake Pearcleaner site spreading a Mac password stealer in July 2026. The only Pearcleaner site its README lists is itsalin.com, and ours is pangalin.com.
Try Pangalin Uninstaller on your next uninstall.
Every file shown before anything moves, everything to the Trash, Undo for the last removal, and a Leftovers scan for apps you deleted long ago. Completely free, with every feature included.
Completely free · No account · Notarised by Apple · Apple silicon, macOS 13 or later