As digital devices become increasingly central to our daily lives, managing performance and storage challenges has become quite time-consuming. It used to be easy enough to handle manually, but keeping accumulated system clutter at bay is only getting more difficult. Not to mention, all sorts of software with background processes can slow down your device — sometimes even after you think you've uninstalled it. Then, of course, there are a myriad of potential privacy issues to stay on top of, with personal information stored in hidden ways.
Here at Tom's Guide, we favour system optimisation tools because they simplify storage clean-up, enhance performance, and improve privacy and security. That's where CCleaner comes in, as one of the most popular paid and free optimisation tools available. The short version is that it improves performance by removing junk files, managing startup programs and fixing registry issues. It also enhances privacy and security by deleting tracking data, securely erasing files and updating outdated software. Handily, CCleaner is available for Windows (including a CCleaner browser) and macOS, plus Android and iOS devices.
CCleaner worldwide
• 35+ million GB space cleaned every month
• 20 years of PC optimization experience
• 40+ app languages available
• 5 million desktop installs per week
We love that CCleaner offers a free version for basic privacy protection and system health checks, but there are also Pro, Pro Plus, and Premium versions with a yearly fee — the question is, are they worth paying extra for?
The paid Professional upgrades include advanced features like cloud storage clean-up, driver and software updates, performance-boosting, automatic junk removal, browser history clearing, and priority customer support. Pro Plus adds extra features like file recovery and can be installed on three devices, while Premium has additional privacy features and works on five devices.
Upgrading to a more powerful tool can feel like a big step at first, and the added convenience and automation come at a cost, especially if you want to enhance performance and privacy across multiple devices. Of course, there are some alternatives, and operating systems have their own built-in tools to handle storage management. It's also important to be cautious when cleaning the Windows registry, as it can unintentionally cause further issues.
If you are considering the extra paid features, then good news — CCleaner is offering solid discounts on the Professional, Professional Plus, and Premium plans. From March 14 through March 31, you can get up to 50% off your first year. We've highlighted the CCleaner deals below, but don't forget to check out the CCleaner website to read more about all the features. While our focus has been on personal use, CCleaner also provides solutions specifically tailored to businesses.
While the basic version of CCleaner is available for free, the discounts on offer here are a good opportunity to give the full-featured versions a try. Not satisfied? CCleaner offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on eligible purchases.
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