Looking for a CCleaner alternative? Read this first.

Most pages about CCleaner alternatives are lists of ten near-identical tools, written to collect affiliate commissions. This one is different: we sell one of the alternatives, we say so upfront, and we would still rather you make the right choice than a quick one. Here is what to demand from any tool in this category, including ours.

Updated 2026-07-02.

Five things to demand from any PC cleaner

A rollback before every change

Not a warning dialog, an actual System Restore point taken automatically. If a tool cannot undo what it does, it does not deserve admin rights on your PC.

No bundled software

The installer should install one thing: the app you asked for. Bundled browsers, toolbars and trial antivirus are how free cleaners get paid, at your expense.

Honest pricing with no auto-renew

Know exactly what you will pay and when it ends. Yearly subscriptions that renew silently are the most common complaint in this category.

A verifiable download

The publisher should tell you the SHA-256 checksum of every release so you can confirm the file you downloaded is the file they built.

No scare tactics

Fake problem counts and red warning screens exist to panic you into paying. A trustworthy tool tells you when your PC is fine.

The free option nobody selling software mentions

Windows itself covers the basics: Storage Sense clears temporary files, Task Manager disables startup apps, and Settings removes software you no longer use. If that is all you need, use it and pay nobody, our guides walk through each step by hand. A dedicated optimiser is worth money when you want all of it done in one pass, with a restore point first, plus the deeper work: service tuning, system repair, duplicate hunting, temperature monitoring and privacy settings that Windows scatters across a dozen screens.

Where uOptimise fits

uOptimise is our answer to this category's bad habits. One Windows app that optimises, monitors, repairs, cleans storage and tightens privacy, built restore-first so every change can be undone. It costs $4.99 once, for life. No subscription, no ads, no bundled offers, no fake urgency, and a SHA-256 checksum published for every release.

Honest caveats included: it is Windows 10 and 11 only, it is a newer app from a small publisher, and it is not yet code-signed, so SmartScreen may warn on first install. If you are weighing it against CCleaner specifically, read our full side-by-side comparison, it includes the cases where CCleaner is still the better pick.

Common questions

Do I actually need a cleaner app at all?
Sometimes no, and you deserve a straight answer about it. Windows Storage Sense clears temporary files, Task Manager can disable startup apps, and Settings can uninstall bloatware. A good optimiser earns its keep by doing all of that in one pass, safely, plus the things Windows does not surface well: service tuning, repair, duplicate finding and privacy settings.
What is a fair price for one?
This category runs on subscriptions of tens of dollars per year, which is hard to justify for what the software does. We think a small one-time price is the honest model: uOptimise is $4.99 once, every feature included, no renewal.
How do I check an alternative is safe before installing it?
Look for a published SHA-256 checksum for the exact file, confirm changes are reversible with a restore point, prefer tools that use documented Windows APIs, and read the refund and privacy pages before the marketing pages.
Why are people leaving CCleaner?
Common reasons people cite are the upgrade prompts in the free version, subscription pricing for Professional, and bundled offers in installers. It remains a capable tool, which is why our own comparison says so plainly.

Test it against your checklist

Hold uOptimise to the five demands above, on your own PC. The trial is the complete app, free for 48 hours, no card required.

Start the free trial

$4.99 once if you keep it. No subscription. See pricing.