A system cleaner is vital for the health of your operating system and device. The application works on cleaning your system’s registry from possible malicious files and spotting potential vulnerabilities that have built over time. The end result of a system cleaner is optimisation, where the application eliminates any unused files that can possibly affect system performance, hence freeing system resources and directing them towards your task.
Both Glary Utilities and CCleaner are powerful system cleaners, but one of them outranks the other. This Glary Utilities vs CCleaner comparison will put them side by side to inspect their features, thoroughness, support and more to help you decide which system optimiser to get.
What is Glary Utilities?
Glary Utilities is a desktop cleaner and optimisation tool and is one of the numerous products provided by Glarysoft. This company is a professional emerging company that develops software with the aim of enhancing user experience. Their different products, including Glary Utilities, work to improve system performance, perform regular system maintenance and ensure the smooth operation of computers to increase productivity. Glarysoft’s other products include File Recovery, Malware Hunter and Software Update.
In comparison to CCleaner, Glary Utilities is newer and has more than 100 million users worldwide. The software doesn’t only optimise your system but also cleans and prevents registry errors. It will also ensure that no unauthorised software records your keystrokes or online browsing history. You will receive notifications about which applications are outdated and prompt you to regularly install any application or system updates.
What is CCleaner?
CCleaner is one of the multiple system utilities from Piriform Software. This software works on identifying and deleting any broken system registry files or unused files. The cleaner software was the first of the company’s system utilities to be launched in 2004. Since then, the cleaner’s reputation has increased, proving its efficiency in cleaning systems, optimising computers and enhancing user experience. Other utilities produced by Piriform include CCleaner Browser, Kamo to safeguard you from malicious online tracking methods, CCleaner for Mac and another for Android.
As a system optimiser, CCleaner searches your operating system for abandoned applications, unused files and potentially harmful registry files. Once located, the software will delete any possibly suspicious files, notify you of any outdated applications and suggest the removal of any unused applications to avoid opening virtual doors to prying eyes. CCleaner is older than Glary Utilities, which is evidenced by the total number of CCleaner downloads; with more than 2.5 billion downloads worldwide.
Why Do You Need a System Optimiser?
Do you remember when you first installed your operating system and how it was running smoothly and whether any tasks were finished within minutes, if not seconds? Over time, when you install one application after another, your system’s desk space, CPU and Memory usage increases, which puts a toll on your device. If you forget to use one application for some time, this can lead to unused files slowing your system down and the more applications you don’t use, the slower your system becomes.
A system optimiser will find these unused files categorise and eliminate all unused files to free up disk space, hence boosting system performance. Additionally, the optimiser will prompt you about unused applications to remove. Windows 10 has an integrated optimisation tool; however, this tool doesn’t inform users about removing unused applications. This is why a third-party system optimiser is handy; it will prevent unused files from collecting over time and ensure unused applications are uninstalled to avoid possible vulnerabilities. Remember that unused applications can become outdated, creating a system vulnerability and opening a door for cyber attackers.
Glary Utilities vs CCleaner: Deciding Which System Optimiser Is the Victor
Speed is the modern-day language, especially in the realm of technology and cybersecurity. When it comes to protecting your data, you must exert every effort possible to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. System optimisers work to eliminate possible threat points in your system while working to enhance its performance. So, it’s time to get this comparison started.
Global View
Generally, a new software can reinforce its market value by rapid evolution and the adoption of the latest technologies in the field. However, when it comes to cybersecurity, this isn’t always the case. Both our contenders started at different times, which means user experiences will differ as well. Which one of our system optimisers has a rich history of assisting users fully maximise their system performance?
Glary Utilities
As one of the products by Glarysoft, Glary Utilities and the other applications will improve your system’s performance by regular scanning of the registry and ridding your system from any cybersecurity attack. The utility software alone can remove malware and detect and delete faulty registry files, all just one click away.
These services align with the company’s vision to improve user experience and facilitate their users’ use of their devices. Users of Glarysoft products praise them for their maintenance techniques. The utility software only had more than 40 million satisfied users worldwide despite being newer than its competitor, which means the software is excellent.
CCleaner
CCleaner is one of the most renowned system optimisers and PC cleaners. For this reason, and since it’s been on the market since 2004, it’s the first software professionals normally recommend when asked about PC cleaners. Pirifom’s software solutions, along with CCleaner, are ideal for individuals and businesses. The solutions work to lessen wasted resources, optimise performance, free system space and gear your resources towards better performance. CCleaner has users in nearly every country worldwide; that’s how much the software is trusted, popular and efficient.
- Winner
This isn’t a win-or-lose category because both cleaners have diligent mother companies and effective sister applications.
Features
Before we explain the various features of each of our contenders, we must note that they both serve the same end and have a similar end result: system optimisation. Despite this, there are numerous differences in the scope and thoroughness of each software’s features. In this category, we’ll be comparing the features of the paid versions since the free versions of both optimisers are nearly the same.
Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities has a tracking eraser tool which will track any saved cookies, saved passwords, login credentials or internet trails to prevent cyber attackers from reaching them. This tool helps protect your privacy and deletes typical internet tracking files. The Glary Desk Cleaner is the tool responsible for swiftly scanning and optimizing your system and is just a click away.
Compared to its contender, Glary’s Registry Cleaner is more sophisticated. The tool scans twelve different zones of your registry to spot erroneous or broken files and prompts you to take action. This is an indispensable tool, more so that it creates a backup each time, which is vital not to lose any important data. Moreover, the software’s File Recovery is a powerful tool that helps you recover any deleted files, whether they are documents, downloads or images.
The Glary Duplicate Finder will scan your system for duplicate files and applications to erase and free up space. The Absolute Uninstaller allows you to alter several applications at the same time, whether by deleting them or modifying them. Desk SpeedUp is the tool responsible for defragmenting your system, while the Quick StartUp tool ensures start-up is speedy and smooth by allowing you to add or remove applications from this task.
CCleaner
CCleaner’s main mission is to clean, optimise and enhance your system’s performance. After you run a system One-Click Maintenance, the software will show you the results before you choose what step to take next. The software utilises automatic scanning, which schedules scans to regularly keep your system junk-free. CCleaner’s trademark Registry Cleaner will ensure your system is free from unused files, such as junk files from uninstalled applications or moved shortcuts.
When it comes to safeguarding your data, this system optimiser will prompt you to delete any online-saved passwords to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Moreover, you needn’t worry about your browsing history or any stored cookies; CCleaner clears them out regularly. If you want to exempt certain websites from deleting their cookies, you can do so in the optimiser’s settings, and on the other hand, you can also block certain websites completely.
That’s not all CCleaner has to offer. You will get a System Updater to regularly keep your applications updated. A tool for spotting and deleting duplicate applications from your device, and a Startup Manager which optimises applications to decrease boot time. Additionally, the Recuva tool will help restore deleted files, the Defraggler will help defragment your device faster, and the Speccy will display your hardware at a glance.
- Winner
The great features of both system optimisers are pushing towards a tie in this round. However, Glary Utilities wins by a slight margin, only for its extensive optimisation tools.
User Interface
Since Glary Utilities is newer than CCleaner, many users are still getting accustomed to its user interface. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the former provides a better dashboard than the latter. Let’s find out!
Glary Utilities
After installing Glary Utilities, a light blue and turquoise interface with lime green writing will appear. The user interface is divided into four sections horizontally. From the left, they are Status, 1-Click Maintenance, Modules and Menu. These four lists include all the software’s features and customisation settings. If you’re using the free version, there’s a small prompt at the bottom of the screen that asks you to Upgrade Now. The Android interface is just as simple; its blue and white colours are inviting. The top part displays your system storage and RAM usage, while the bottom part has the menus Junk Files, Phone Boost, Save Battery and App Manager.
CCleaner
With a white background surrounded by a dark grey frame and some blue buttons, the CCleaner user interface is fairly clean and welcoming. In the heart of the screen is a welcome message and a button with the suggestion to Optimise. The left-hand-side menu includes all the tasks you’ll need, including Easy Clean, Custom Clean, the Registry, Tools, Options and Upgrades. The Android interface is a navy blue one and displays your used and free space. Options include Boost, Tips, Media and Apps.
- Winner
Glary Utilities wins this round for providing a clean and easy-to-use user interface.
Compatible Operating Systems
A system optimiser that’s compatible with numerous operating systems is a great bargain. You can ensure your desktop and smartphone are optimised and give their best performance. What operating systems are our system optimisers compatible with? Do they differ?
Glary Utilities
We know Glary Utilities is compatible with the Windows operating system, but which versions? The system optimiser is compatible with the Windows operating system versions 7, 8, 10 and 11. We know that Windows 10 has an integrated optimisation tool. However, this tool hasn’t proven to be as effective as third-party optimisers. Glary Utilities is also compatible with Android phones, except that this version of the software hasn’t been updated since 2015, so it might lack integral security protocols.
CCleaner
CCleaner is compatible with the Windows operating system, the macOS and Android. While there are three paid versions available for Windows operating system users, macOS users only have the free version and one paid version only; the CCleaner Professional for Mac for $29.95 a year to optimise one device. The free version is available for Android smartphones, but, unfortunately, many of its features are now locked and prompt you to purchase the application to continue using them.
- Winner
Even though CCleaner is compatible with more operating systems than Glary Utilities, we call this round a tie because CCleaner doesn’t provide the same options for macOS as it does for Windows OS. We can also put the Android versions of both optimisers at the same level since they’re both lacking in a certain field.
Pricing
Free services in the cybersecurity field have developed and become better, but paid services, whatever their category is; antivirus agents, firewalls or system optimisers, have developed to offer better and more thorough services. However, this isn’t always the case since many cybersecurity companies offer some of their best features in their free plans. This is why we’re looking at the pricing of each of our system optimisers to see whether they offer true value for money or not!
Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities offers you a free and paid version of its system optimiser. The free version offers numerous features such as system analysis, detecting and resolving errors and system crashes and boosts your system’s speed. The paid version; or the Pro version of Glary Utilities, costs $39.95 a year to service three devices and adds more features, such as a deep registry cleaner. Granted, the free version lacks various features compared to the paid version, but it provides solid optimisation compared to that of CCleaner.
CCleaner
Like its competitor, CCleaner offers free and paid versions. If you aim for the free version, it will still lack several features from the paid one. The free version offers more system space and protects your privacy. There are three paid versions: the CCleaner Professional for $29.95 to optimise one device for a year, the CCleaner Professional Plus for $49.95 to optimise three devices for one year and the best value for the CCleaner Professional Plus for $79.95 to optimise three devices for two years.
- Winner
The initial package for CCleaner is cheaper than that of Glary Utilities, but to get the full extent of features of the system optimiser, you must purchase the Professional Plus package, which is more expensive than Glary’s. This is why Glary Utilities wins this round.
Customer Support
Each contender offers its customers numerous customer support methods. We examine them both to determine which provides its users a better after-sale experience.
Glary Utilities
Users who downloaded the free version of Glary Utilities can only seek assistance from the software’s online database. This database also includes a FAQs centre, which, together with the online database, offers great help. Users who purchase the paid version can benefit from Live Chat, where they can speak directly with one of the company’s IT support team. Glary Utilities doesn’t provide phone support in either of its plans.
CCleaner
CCleaner offers the same customer support methods as Glary Utilities. This means that free users can browse the online database and the FAQs section for their issues, while pro users can talk to an IT support team member through Live Chat.
- Winner
Another tie!
Since we’ve come to the finish line of this race, let’s recount together the comparison categories and the winner:
| Category | Glary Utilities | CCleaner |
| Global View | √ | √ |
| Features | √ | |
| User Interface | √ | |
| Compatible Operating Systems | √ | √ |
| Pricing | √ | |
| Customer Support | √ | √ |
| Winner | Glary Utilities | |
At first glance, the need for a system optimiser is unfathomable. However, computers and smartphones get older over time and need all the energising agents they can get to continue performing their tasks. A system optimiser elongates the longevity of your device.