Open source alternative to CCleaner, Glary Utilities and CleanMyPC
Last verified
Manage disk space and privacy on Windows and Linux; BleachBit wipes junk files, browser traces, and free-space remnants under GPL-3.0.
BleachBit cleans cookies, saved passwords, browsing history, and application traces across multiple browsers and applications in one pass. The preview step shows the full list of files before any deletion, so you confirm exactly what is removed.
You only need to clear one browser's history occasionally. The browser's own settings handle that without a separate tool.
BleachBit's CLI accepts named cleaners as arguments and returns an exit code, making it scriptable from cron jobs or configuration management workflows. Administrators can target specific applications across multiple machines without building custom file-deletion scripts.
Your environment uses OS-level provisioning that wipes user profiles on logout or reimages machines regularly. BleachBit adds value where fine-grained per-application targeting is needed on persistent installs.
The CleanerML format is an XML dialect for defining which files, folders, and registry keys to clean for any application. Users maintain their own CleanerML libraries for tools BleachBit does not ship definitions for, and the changes take effect without rebuilding the application.
You only clean well-supported applications such as major browsers and system temp folders. The built-in definitions cover those without custom configuration.
Secure deletion and free-space wiping prepare drives for repurposing or disposal by overwriting file contents before removal. BleachBit handles the file-level overwriting step that standard OS deletion skips.
Your use case requires certified data destruction meeting NIST 800-88 or DoD 5220.22-M standards. BleachBit's overwriting is not certified; dedicated drive-wiping tools are the standard for compliance scenarios.
Disk clutter is invisible until it becomes a problem. Temporary files, browser caches, application logs, and installer leftovers accumulate over time, occupying gigabytes across paths most users never open. Cleaning the wrong file can break an application; leaving everything risks performance and privacy.
The privacy side is harder to address. Deleting a file in the standard way leaves its contents on disk, readable by forensic tools or anyone with physical access. Browser cookies, saved passwords, and application traces persist beyond session end. Free-space sectors hold remnants of files the OS reports as gone.
Every clean operation shows the complete list of files scheduled for removal, with file sizes, before any deletion runs. You review the list, toggle individual cleaners on or off, and confirm. Nothing is deleted without your approval, which reduces the risk of removing files you need.
BleachBit ships with cleaner definitions for hundreds of applications, and you can write custom CleanerML XML rules to target any application or file pattern. CleanerML files define which files, folders, and registry keys to remove. You can maintain a personal library of rules for applications not covered by the default set.
Files can be overwritten before deletion to make their contents unrecoverable by standard forensic tools. A fast mode skips overwriting for speed when privacy is not the concern. Secure mode is appropriate for sensitive documents on drives being repurposed, shared, or discarded.
The command-line interface accepts named cleaners as arguments and exits with a status code, making it scriptable from cron jobs or system administration tools. Administrators can automate BleachBit runs across multiple machines by wrapping it in shell scripts or configuration management workflows.
Beyond individual files, BleachBit overwrites all free disk space to prevent recovery of previously deleted data. This step addresses sectors the OS marks as available but has not yet rewritten, which standard file deletion leaves intact.
BleachBit cleans cache, cookies, history, download lists, and saved form data across major browsers including Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, as well as dozens of other applications. All configured targets run in a single operation.
CCleaner is a proprietary Windows disk cleaner with a free version and paid subscription plans. Both tools clean browser caches, temp files, and application logs. BleachBit also runs on Linux and supports CleanerML custom rules for targeting any application or file pattern.
| Feature | BleachBit | CCleaner |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS, Android |
| Custom cleaner rules | Yes (CleanerML XML) | Yes (winapp2.ini) |
| CLI scripting | Yes | Limited |
| Cost | Free (no paid tier) | Free version + paid plans |
BleachBit is the better choice when you need Linux support, CLI-scriptable automation, custom rules for unlisted applications, or a fully open source tool with no paid tier. CCleaner suits users who want a Windows-native interface with built-in registry cleaning and startup management and are comfortable with the freemium model.
Glary Utilities is proprietary freeware for Windows with a paid Pro tier. It is a broader system optimizer that packages disk cleaning alongside a registry repair tool, a startup manager, a duplicate file finder, and additional diagnostic utilities. BleachBit focuses on disk cleaning and privacy without the broader optimizer suite.
| Feature | BleachBit | Glary Utilities |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary (freeware + Pro tier) |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows only |
| Scope | Disk cleaning, privacy | All-in-one system optimizer |
| CLI support | Yes | No |
| Custom rules | Yes (CleanerML) | No |
Glary Utilities suits users who want a single Windows application combining disk cleanup, registry repair, and system diagnostics without scripting. BleachBit suits users who need Linux support, CLI automation, an open source license, or a focused tool that cleans files without touching registry or startup settings.
Install BleachBit from source on Linux after fetching the system dependencies.
```sh
make install-deps
make -C po local
python3 bleachbit.py
```Yes. BleachBit is licensed under GPL-3.0 and free to download, install, and use with no paid tiers, no subscription fees, and no feature restrictions. All capabilities are available from the first install, with no account required.
No. BleachBit supports Windows and Linux only. macOS users need a different tool for disk cleanup and privacy management; the BleachBit project has no macOS port.
Secure deletion overwrites a file's contents on disk before removing it, making recovery with standard forensic tools difficult. The fast mode skips overwriting for speed. Secure mode is appropriate when you are disposing of a drive or cleaning up sensitive documents before handing off hardware.
BleachBit shows every file it will remove in a preview step before any deletion runs. Reviewing that list before confirming reduces the risk of removing needed files. The tool targets documented temp file locations and application caches, not arbitrary system files.
BleachBit is open source under GPL-3.0 and free with no paid tier; CCleaner is a proprietary tool with a free version and paid subscription plans. BleachBit also runs on Linux while CCleaner is Windows-focused. BleachBit supports custom CleanerML rules and a full CLI scripting path; CCleaner's scripting support is limited.
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