OnyX alternative for Mac (7 Free and paid tools)
8 min read
You’ve downloaded OnyX for Mac, hoping to speed up your machine again. But like many Mac users, including me, you found OnyX difficult to use. Now, you’re on the hunt for alternatives, hopefully, one that can improve your Mac’s performance without fuss. I was once in your shoes, searching for a maintenance tool for my new Mac. And I found several that might interest you.
What is OnyX?
OnyX is a free disk utility tool that lets Mac users perform routine maintenance tasks. For example, you can use OnyX on Mac to remove junk files, rebuild databases, and reconfigure web browsers. Although powerful, OnyX isn’t exactly the most user-friendly tool around. Chances are, you might need considerable time to figure out how to use Oynx for even simple tasks.
Is there an OnyX for Mac?
Yes. OnyX is designed for Mac. You can download OnyX macOS from Titanium Software at no cost. The challenge is, however, deciding which version to download. Apparently, you must download the version that is compatible with your macOS. For example, you can’t use OnyX for macOS Ventura on a Mac running on Sonoma. So, I recommend trying these alternatives:
| OnyX alternatives | Features |
| CleanMyMac | Smart scan that identifies issues affecting Mac performance. |
| Disk Drill | Simple clean-up tool with visualized scan results. |
| Gemini | Automatically select duplicate files to simplify the removal. |
| CCleaner | Scheduler to remove browser cookies. |
| Hazel | Rule-based file removal. |
| DaisyDisk | Colorful interface. Scans local, external, and cloud storage. |
| OmniDiskSweeper | List folders with their respective file sizes in a column-based window. |
Need more details to decide which tool to use? Read on.
Best OnyX alternatives for Mac
To be frank, OnyX is a pretty solid choice, especially when you want to give your Mac a boost. But for most of us, it can be quite difficult to use. Plus, OnyX lacks useful features, such as deep scan and malware removal, that some of its competitors offer. So, if you need an OnyX replacement, consider these tools that I’ve tested.
1. CleanMyMac: Improved Mac performance in a few clicks
CleanMyMac is a powerful maintenance tool for MacBooks. It lets you declutter your Mac, just like OnyX, but in simpler ways. When you install the app, the first thing you’ll notice is its sleek and user-friendly interface. Unlike OnyX, you don’t need to be a macOS expert to use this tool. Just a few clicks and CleanMyMac will scan your Mac for performance issues and threats.
What I like about the app is the way it organizes the scan results into categories like junk, threats, and performance. From there, I can zoom in on specific issues and solve them based on the app’s recommendations.
What I like:
- Fast and user-friendly
- Comes with a malware scanner
- Accurately scans and removes tonnes of junk files
- Application feature for app management
What I don’t like:
- Advanced users may feel a lack of pro features
- Not as deep for detailed diagnostics
Verdict: CleanMyMac is more than an OnyX equivalent for Mac. It goes beyond doing the heavy lifting by providing automated, time-saving features.
2. Disk Drill: Powerful recovery tool with handy cleanup features
Disk Drill is, first and foremost, a file recovery app. But it can also double up as a decent OnyX alternative for decluttering your Mac. When you open Disk Drill, you’ll find a Clean Up tool neatly tucked on the sidebar, which you can use to scan specific folders and clean up files. Another tool I find helpful in Disk Drill is Find Duplicates. As the name implies, it searches for duplicate files in a specific folder.
What I like:
- Visual map scan results are scanned according to the file size
- Fast and effective scanning
- Easy to use
What I don’t like:
- Limited performance-boosting options
- Less manual control over cleaning
Verdict: If you need a file management tool that comes with recovery, decluttering, and backup, consider trying Disk Drill.
3. Gemini: Efficient duplicate file management on Mac
Gemini might not offer all the features you find in OnyX, but if removing duplicates is what you need, the app is more than enough. What you’ll get with Gemini is a minimalist app that lets you scan any folders for duplicates. Better still, Gemini will automatically select those that you don’t need with an intelligent algorithm.
What I like:
- Intelligent algorithm for detecting duplicates
- Simple interface
- Dashboard for reviewing duplicates before deleting them
What I don’t like:
- Can’t schedule duplicate scans
- Doesn’t clear caches, logs, or perform system maintenance tasks
Verdict: Gemini is a fast and powerful duplicate removal tool that works on apps, video, audio, and other files.
4. CCleaner: Simple junk cleaner with automated maintenance
CCleaner is a popular disk cleaning utility. Although popular with Windows users, it’s also a comparable OnyX replacement for Mac. From clearing junk files and analyzing disks, the tool lets you perform various tasks in a few clicks. Besides freeing up extra space on your Mac, you can also schedule CCleaner to automatically clear browser history or cookies to safeguard your privacy.
What I like:
- More user-friendly, one-click cleanup approach
- Offers scheduled cleaning
- Removes junk from browsers and third-party apps
Things that are missing:
- Limited controls on file deletion
- Doesn’t allow for tweaking hidden macOS settings
Verdict: CCleaner balances affordability and disk management features but lacks in-depth controls, especially when you want to delete files.
5. Hazel: Smart file management for a more organized workflow
Hazel is different. It isn’t the type of decluttering tool that I’ve mentioned. Rather, it’s a rule-based file management tool that automates file removal. On Hazel, you get to set the conditions, which the app then acts on to determine when and which files to move or delete.
What I like:
- Runs silently in the background
- Automates file management based on predefined rules
- Works on files and applications
What I don’t like:
- Consumes lots of RAM if you set complex rules for many folders
- No system cache or log cleaning
Verdict: Choose Hazel if you need a little helper software that automatically cleans specific folders.
6. DaisyDisk: Intuitive disk space analyzer for mac
Designed to run deep analysis on Mac drives, external hard disks, and cloud storage, DaisyDisk is a powerful tool that belies its fun and colorful graphics. I find DaisyDisk easy to use. After scanning my Mac, I can drag files I want to delete to a special Collector section. But be mindful before deleting any files with DaisyDisk because you can’t undo the process.
What I like:
- Colorful interface that makes deleting fun
- Fast when scanning files
- Can analyze local and external storage
What I don’t like:
- May not work with some cloud storage
- Doesn’t offer any automation for regular cleanups or maintenance
Verdict: A simple disk cleaner for those who don’t want to be bothered by the technicalities of file removal.
7. OmniDiskSweeper: Simple tool for managing Mac storage space
OmniDiskSweeper is as simple as you can get for file removal. While it’s not an exact OnyX alternative for Mac, it still gets the job done, but with mostly manual effort. The tool lets you navigate through folders by showing the total file size next to them. This way, you can identify and remove unwanted files from them.
What I like:
- Visualizes Mac’s file hierarchy in columns
- specializes in showing detailed disk usage data
What I don’t like:
- No automatic scans
- Doesn’t handle managing startup items or cleaning hidden files
Verdict: If you want a free file removal tool and don’t mind doing the heavy lifting yourself, OmniDiskSweeper is worth a shot.
How to choose the best OnyX equivalent?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Some Mac users might want an affordable tool, while others need one that gets the job done in simple steps. Also, consider the features the tool provides when seeking an OnyX alternative. For example, some decluttering tools come with privacy features, which help you to identify and remove threats.
Of course, it’s hard to know which suits your use cases best unless you’ve tested them out. So, you might want to look for disk management tools that offer a free trial. This way, you can test them out before purchasing.
Try an OnyX alternative for Mac now
Still doubtful which is the best OnyX replacement? Why not try some of them today? Maybe they’re just what you need for your Mac to regain the speed it once had. Some of the tools I mentioned are my personal favorite:
- CleanMyMac helps me to get my Mac up to speed again whenever it feels laggy.
- Disk Drill does a decent job removing duplicates, but its file recovery features are exceptional.
- Gemini scans and removes duplicates in any folder so they don’t take up precious storage space.
The good news is that you can try these apps for 7 days without costs on Setapp. The platform has more than 250 macOS and iOS apps you can access with just one subscription — super handy, right?
Security-tested
