Does Onyx create any problem with OS X? I have recently installed the app and run it a few times. However, I have heard that the maintenance tasks done by Onyx are the same as done by the Mac OS on its own. My questions are: is it worth allowing an app to occupy the scarce hard disk space, if its utility is trivial. OnyX is a multifunction utility for macOS that you can use to verify the startup disk and the structure of its system files, to run tasks of cleaning and computer maintenance, to configure some hidden parameters of many Apple applications, and more.

Positives

• Entirely free
• Great maintenance functionality
• Stellar cleaning functionality
• Automated cleaning and maintenance
• Utilities enabling access to macOS' hidden features
• Detailed list of identified malware

Negatives

• No detailed data of reclaimed disk space
• Lacks option to review files before deleting
• Specific version of OnyX for each major OS version

When it comes to maintenance, one of the most frequently mentioned applications among Redditors and longtime Mac users is OnyX. Created by French developer Joël Barrière as a multifunctional tool for Mac optimization, OnyX lets you control many basic Unix programs already built into macOS. Such controls include verifying the startup disk, running a range of miscellaneous and cleaning tasks, configuring various parameters, deleting caches, and listing all installed items included in the package files of applications that users have installed on their computer.

OnyX is freeware and the main application Joël Barrière has developed after the launch of OS X Jaguar, in 2003. Titanium Software, his company’s website registered as a French domain, lists another two applications also developed by Barrière, Maintenance and Deeper. The former is a system maintenance and cleaning utility for macOS that takes OnyX's maintenance functionalities and puts it into a separate app, while Deeper focuses on offering personalization options for macOS users, such as enabling or disabling the hidden functions of various apps and more.

Features

OnyX features a nice, clean, easy-to-understand user interface that makes all features easily accessible. When you first open the app, it will display a prompt explaining that OnyX will verify the structure of your startup disk. If you click “OK” you'll notice your computer slow down a bit (which is common when this task is performed with Mac optimization tools) though apps such as MacBooster or CleanMyMac only perform this when you command them to do so. You can disable this functionality in preferences, otherwise it will display this prompt each time you launch the application.

Verify the Structure of the Disk

If this task results in a startup disk in good working order then OnyX will display its available functions: maintenance, cleaning, automation, utilities, parameters, info and log. The main features of the app, which are recommended for regular use, are the maintenance and cleaning functions, while the automation functionality is the combination of these two.

Cleaning

Choosing between either the ‘automation pane’ or the maintenance and cleaning panes will depend on how much time you are willing to spend on Mac optimization. You can remove cache files from System folders using either the System pane of the cleaning toolbar or the automation pane. Still, there is a slight difference between the two cleaning options: while the automation tool will perform all the cleaning and maintenance tasks in a single workflow and therefore only require a single Mac restart once the tasks are finished, choosing maintenance and cleaning actions separately will need multiple restarts throughout the process.

When you hit the “Execute” button, OnyX scans your computer and performs the tasks you have commanded. Don't expect too many visuals, however: unlike its paid competitors such as MacBooster or CleanMyMac, OnyX won't display findings such as the number of cookies or browsing history items it has identified while scanning your Mac. Neither will you know how much space the app will reclaim by deleting the system, user, font and application caches. That's information the developer didn't consider important with any of the app releases. Paid Mac optimization apps, on the other hand, focus heavily on visuals and such data.

OnyX Cleaning Font Cache

Restart Required

OnyX Secure Erasing

During our testing a completely automated maintenance and cleaning task took a little more than seven minutes to finish on a MacBook Pro (late 2016) with 250GB of flash storage. Of course this will differ by computer since it depends on a number of factors, including system configuration, disk storage, stored data and more.

If you decide to spend more time on maintenance and cleaning, choosing tasks individually will require more of your time. Also, some of the tasks – such as cleaning the system, user and font caches and log files – will require a restart each time. That's something you should keep in mind.

Utilities

Along with cleaning and maintenance tasks, OnyX includes several other powerful features, such as utilities, parameters, and info. Under the utilities toolbar users will find various useful functions, ranging from gaining access to all of the Unix manual pages to changing the visibility status of a disk, folder or file. The ‘packages' task in Utilities will also look for a receipt file (.BOM) of an installed package (.PKG), and contains a list of all installed items stored in a system folder.

The parameters toolbar will enable you to personalize your working environment and toggle on or off certain hidden system functions and Apple applications. For example, with the Parameters toolbar it is possible to change the screenshot file type from its default of PNG to JPEG or change the save path for screenshots from the default location – your desktop – by clicking on the “Select” button, picking a desired folder and confirming it with the “Choose” button.

OnyX Utilities

OnyX Utilities – Parameter Preferences

OnyX Purge Memory Function

A very powerful feature of the software is the info toolbar, which includes tools such as ‘protection’. In this pane you'll see a list of malware recognized by XProtect, the macOS protection system. You’ll also be able to show and delete the list of all downloaded items tested by XProtect. In our testing, XProtect recognized 77 malware items, according to the malware definitions.

Pricing

OnyX is freeware, meaning that you can download the application and use it for as long as you wish without paying a cent. If you like the application, you’re also allowed to distribute it, providing the software is not modified. Although the app is free, the developer accepts donations where you decide the amount. That compares to the $40 that OnyX's competitors MacPaw and IObit charge for a single Mac license. The developer pushes out updates regularly on its dedicated website Titanium-Software.fr.

Customer Service

Since OnyX is a free app and is mainly developed by a single person with the help of others from around the world, it doesn't have a dedicated customer service. Still, if you encounter a problem or anomaly, a misspelling or bad translation, or you have any suggestions for OnyX enhancements then you are free to contact the developer via email.

It is recommended that you back up your Mac when using OnyX for the first time, just in case anything goes wrong. However, we should note that we have been using OnyX for many years now and have had no issues with the software.

OnyX also includes a help file that offers a detailed description of every action and task the application performs, unlike some of its competitors like MacBooster. So, if you don't understand a command you are about to execute, just click on the question mark in the bottom-right of the app window and a help page will open to answer your question regarding OnyX's command.

Bottom Line

Although macOS has built-in maintenance and cleaning scripts, a third-party application can be helpful in an effort to reclaim disk space occupied by cache files. What highly advanced macOS users familiar with Terminal can achieve by typing in complex command lines, OnyX – a reliable and free third-party Mac optimization application – does with a clean and easy-to-understand user interface.

OnyX doesn't deliver much detailed and visually organized information about the free space you are going to regain, but it still does a good job of reclaiming ‘lost space’. Functionalities offered by paid third-party competitors, such as freeing up memory, are also included in the app, although they are a bit hidden.

If you are looking for a reliable Mac optimization app to try risk free, OnyX is the one to start with. OnyX has been available for free since it was first released in 2003.

Best Alternative Mac Optimization Software

List of best Mac cleaner software that will help you boost your Mac speed. Select the top Mac cleaner tool from the list.

Apple has some of the best state-of-the-art features. One of them is a solid-state drive which allows you to access your files faster, but the only dropback is not much storage space.

Most SSD has storage of 128GB or 256GB and most of the time you might get the error to clean storage. For that, you need the best Mac cleaner software.

In this article, we are going to talk about some of the best free Mac cleaner software and also some paid Mac cleaners with advanced features.

Recommended: Best PC Cleaner Software

Best Mac Cleaner Software [Free or Paid]

Contents

• 1 Best Mac Cleaner Software [Free or Paid]

Apple’s Macintosh came with pretty much every single tool you need. The operating system is very advanced and everything is automated, so the user doesn’t need to do anything.

However, they lack a good cleaner, a Mac cleaner which can remove the system junk, old redundant files, olds OS backup and more.

We have compiled a list of best Mac cleaner which has good reviews, easy system interface and all in one cleaning capability.

#1. MacBooster Mac Cleaner Software

This Mac cleaner is a utility tool that can clean up 20 types of junk files from your Mac. It also helps you improve the performance of your Mac and keep the malware and viruses away. It can boost your Mac by optimizing the hard disk.

It has the ability to search deep into your Mac SSD and clean out the system junk file, large files, and duplicate files as well. It has a turbo boost, memory clean and startup optimization tool to speed up the Mac. Also, it can protect your Mac from viruses, Malware and help you protect your privacy.

#2. CleanMyMac X Mac Cleaner Software

Website: https://cleanmymac.com/

One of the most reputable Mac cleaner which helps you manages your space. It has a one-click optimization program that helps you clean up your Mac in just one click. This tool is simple and sophisticated and doesn’t require many directions to run the advanced Mac cleaner.

This tool is also an advanced Mac cleaner virus as well. Mac doesn’t have much of a virus problem but they can too infect with malware and ransomware. This tool can take care of this problem. This best Mac cleaner also clears the ram, uninstall apps and more. It will improve your Mac performance.

#3. Gemini 2 Mac Cleaner Software

Website: https://macpaw.com/gemini

Gemini 2 is basically the duplicate finder allowing you to free up GB of storage as well s organize your files. It effectively and rapidly scans all corners of your Mac. Subsequently, it removes the unnecessary copies. Whether the file type is doc, image, music, etc., it can work on all.

After the scan completes, you can easily discard the duplicates through a single click. Moreover, you can go through the results to ascertain that nothing significant gets removed.

In case you deleted something accidentally, it is easy to recover with one click. To make sure such cases do not happen again, you can remove specific folders and files from the scan.

#4. Disk Drill Mac Cleaner Software

Website: https://www.cleverfiles.com/

Disk Drill is essentially a data recovery software and also works as a Mac file cleaner tool. The dual functionalities and high efficiency make it popular in the market. It includes an unlimited free cleanup module letting you effortlessly recognize and visualize those files that occupy excess space.

Instantly, you can get rid of unnecessary files. If you are concerned that some important files can come between the junk files, it is possible to filter the scan results. You can filter based on file type, file size, keywords, and different other criteria. Moreover, you can manually validate that the files you decide to delete are actually useless.

It comes with infinite Mac clean-up tools. For ease of use, the user interface is made intuitive. The software is frequently updated.

Onyx Freeware Mac

#5. iMobie MacClean Software

Website: https://www.imobie.com/macclean/

MacClean is a reliable and efficient tool when it comes to restoring your Mac Pc. As an alternative to clearing out all junk files at once, MacClean provides 5 different cleanup options. The names of these options are System Junk, Malicious Cookies, Internet Junk, Privacy Issues, and Security Issues.

Mostly, you will use the first option since it discards system and user junk. It also discards needles development files. To get rid of the duplicate files, you can choose among Cleanup Tools under utilities. Besides, this software includes a duplicate finder. There are multiple methods to discard junk files from your Mac PC.

#6. Dr. Cleaner Mac Cleaner Software

Website: https://dr-cleaner.en.softonic.com/mac

One of the best Mac cleaner software is also free on iTunes as well. This all-in-one tool can help you clean up all the junk in your Mac and speed up the performance too. it can clean all the catch files, clean browser catch, clean the trash and remove anything left behind after uninstalling an app.

One of the most positive reviews of freeware Mac cleaner has also other tools too. one of them is Mac Memory Optimizer and this tool will help you clean all the unwanted processes and make you available the free memory. It can speed up your process and your Mac would run smoother.

#7. CCleaner Mac Cleaner Software

Website: https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner-mac

No matter the OS, CCleaner is best everywhere when it came to cleaning. This is a free Mac cleaner tool that helps you clean out all the unnecessary files in your SSD. CC Cleaner for Mac is useful when you want to delete the web browsing history and catches it with just one click.

This tool also has many other features like uninstall the app and remove it from the startup. You can also wipe out the whole drive as well. This is one of the best free Mac cleaners so far which is useful in many ways.

#8. Drive Genius Mac Cleaner Software

Website: https://www.prosofteng.com/drive-genius-mac-protection-software/

This is more than just Mac cleaner but it goes way beyond that. It has all the features of cleaning your Mac and gets rid of those unwanted files in your system. It can also repartition your hard drive to make it more efficient. Drive Genius also finds duplicate files, clone files, large files and much more.

It has also a built-in security feature that can take care of all the antivirus systems. It has malware check tools; Bootwell tools which help you with booting of your system, check, repair and rebuild facility is also available in this tool. Also, it will help you with speeding up the system by defragmenting and system performance checks.

#9. DaisyDisk

Website: https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/30689/daisydisk

Who could have thought that Mac cleaner could be this much beautiful? One of the best looking cleaning apps for Mac also has one of the best interfaces which even a new user understands and operates. It can help you determine the whole space optimization of your drive and let you delete anything.

It has many other features as well and also many positive reviews too. Once you click the scan, it will show you the color full graph of your hard disk and all the large files are in different colors as well. It can also give you real-time information about mounted disks on your Mac. You can preview your file before deleting it and all of this is happening at lightning speed.

#10. OnyX Mac Cleaner Software

Website: https://www.titanium-software.fr/en/onyx.html

This is one of the best free Mac cleaner software out there. First, it’s a free tool and it has lots of positive reviews as well. This Free Mac cleaner is a multifunction utility tool that can help you clean up the browsing catch, system junk and optimize the speed of your Mac.

It is also known as one of the best Mac cleaning tools for professionals as it has a little difficult UI than others. Also, you need to download this tool specific to your OS, otherwise, it won’t work. This Best Mac Cleaner tool has lots of functions to read the guidance before using it.

#11. Trend Micro Cleaner One Pro

Website: https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome/products/cleaner-one-mac.html

If you are looking for Mac cleaner software that can free up your disk space and do some other advanced tasks, then cleaner one pro by TrendMicro is the name you can check.

Onyx Mac Os X

This tool can visualize, manage and free up your disk space in one click. It takes few seconds to remove all unnecessary files from your Mac. In addition, it can manage all the apps on your Mac and keep your device up to date all the time.

If you are not sure what’s causing high disk space usage, you can find it using this software. Also, it recommends what to do next if you are completely blank about what to do next. The toolbar will monitor your Network Usage, CPU Usage, and Memory Usage while scanning and deleting Junk Files. It means you have complete control of your Mac with one click.

It can clean junk files, including temporary files and hidden leftover files. Cleaner one pro, delete all the big files that consume your disk space, and free the storage space. It also removes duplicate files and similar photos. The disk map feature analyzes your storage usage and gives you a visual and interactive map of usage.

The file shredder feature gives you 100% privacy protection. It erases all the hidden leftover files from trash and deleted apps. In short, it will make them unrecoverable by applying the Secure Erase Setting.

I also like its application manager function. The software manages startup apps and services and speeds up the boot time. As a result, it will enhance the performance of your system.

It can view and manage app and remove them if it finds apps unwanted. There is an option of batch removal of multiple apps as well. Cleaner One Pro charges $14.99/device with a 1-year subscription plan. If you are looking for up to 5 devices, the charges are $29.99 with a 1-year subscription plan.

Onyx Mac Cleaner Free

Conclusion

Onyx Free Mac Cleaner

We hope that after reading this article on the best Mac cleaner software, you might find the solution to your problems. There are many tools in this list that are free to use and can be upgraded for better performance and others are freeware. If you need any more help regarding Mac cleaner, you can ask us in the comment section.

Onyx Mac Free

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