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Clean Master Review 2024: A Lightweight Digital Maid Service

Clean Master can help remove unwanted programs that are slowing down your computer. While there is some virus protection, you’ll want a more robust antivirus if you’re serious about security.
3.3
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Clean Master's website

Antivirus Software
Clean Master
  • Cleans junk and boosts PC performance
  • Easy-to-use
  • Most features are only available on Pro

Clean Master isn’t really an antivirus software, but it can help remove viruses and malware that may be slowing down your computer

The majority of what Clean Master does revolves around cleanup. It scans your drives looking for junk files and then gives you a breakdown of what was found with options to delete the junk. 

Overall, it does what it says, but it doesn’t really provide you with antivirus protection.

Pros
  • Cleans junk and boosts PC performance
  • Easy-to-use
  • Offers a free product
  • Cons
    • Most features are only available on Pro
    • Not really an antivirus
    In this article
    At a glance
    Our experience
    Who is Clean Master best for?
    Prices and subscriptions
    Security features
    Test results
    Compatibility
    Customer support
    Alternatives
    FAQs
    Bottom line

    Clean Master at a glance

    Price $15.90–$49.90
    Free plan Yes
    # of devices protected 1 - 3
    Malware scans Manual and automated
    Real-time protection Yes
    EICAR test results 0/3
    Firewall No
    Phishing protection No
    Compatibility Windows, macOS, Android
    Extras Junk Clean, PC Boost, Privacy Clean, File Recovery
    24/7 customer support No
    Learn more Get Clean Master

    How we test and rate antivirus software

    We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, third-party testing scores, internal testing scores, price, compatibility, and features offered, among other metrics. 

    This means that our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, protects as it claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We download and run each program on our own computers on home networks, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the antivirus product. This ensures that we can recreate a similar experience for you and give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.

    To learn more about how we test, check out our full antivirus testing methodology here.

    3.3
    Editorial Rating
    Learn More
    On Clean Master's website
    Antivirus Software
    Clean Master
    • Cleans junk and boosts PC performance
    • Easy-to-use
    • Most features are only available on Pro

    Our experience

    During our testing, we quickly realized Clean Maseter is more of a performance optimization tool rather than an antivirus. We tested the paid version on our laptop running Windows 11.

    Clean Master install confirmation window

    There really isn’t much to Clean Master as there aren’t a ton of features available. Most of the offerings are focused on cleaning your disks and drives as well as optimizing your computer.

    There are three types of scans: Junk Clean, PC Boost, and Privacy Clean. All three scans took less than a minute to complete. The results list the items that can be boosted or cleaned, depending on the scan you select, and it can easily fix those items for you.

    Clean Master results after Junk Clean.

    One thing that didn’t thrill us was the privacy policy. Your information is gathered and used for marketing purposes, so there’s a good chance you’ll end up with some spam after using Clean Master.

    There is an opt-out option, but it’s not easy to access. To opt out and exercise your right to privacy, you have to hit unsubscribe on the link in the footer of the marketing emails or you can contact legalnotice@cheetahfun.com.

    We've also had several instances where antivirus software flagged Clean Master as malicious. Bitdefender listed Clean Master as an infected web resource. 

    Bitdefender scan results for infected web resource.

    For anyone who's interested in Clean Master, we would recommend proceeding with caution and pairing it with a true antivirus. 

    Who is Clean Master best for?

    • Recommended for anyone looking to clean their computer

    If your computer is running slower than normal, you can use Clean Master to help get rid of junk files and potential computer viruses on your hard drive. The free tools are fast and efficient. The design may look a little outdated, but the product itself works.

    For anyone looking for a little more out of this product, the paid version has additional tools like a system disk slimming expert, driver booster, file shredder, and file recovery. Some of the features will scan and tell you if they found improvements, but you won’t be able to run the corrections unless you purchase the Professional version. 

    We’re not sure it’s worth it, however, since the tools are pretty basic.

    Clean Master prices and subscriptions

    Clean Master offers a free plan and the Professional plan for $15.90–$49.90. The only difference between the Professional plans is the length of your subscription. 

    If you do choose to only use the free product, you won’t have access to most of the features. If you think that its performance enhancement and advanced cleaning features would be useful, then the most cost-effective option is the two-year plan.

    This is a simple product with a singular focus in mind. While other antivirus software focuses on a lot of features, the main focus of Clean Master is to clean and optimize your device.

    Standard Professional
    Price for first year Free $29.90/yr
    # devices supported 1 3
    Manual and auto scan
    Phishing protection
    Firewall
    Real-time protection
    Ransomware protection
    Parental controls
    Performance optimization tools
    VPN

    The free product is available for download without entering any payment information. You will only be prompted for payment information if you decide to purchase the Pro product. The paid plan also has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Clean Master security features

    The features are short and sweet when it comes to the Clean Master product. Everything is focused on cleaning and optimizing your PC device performance with little in the way of prevention or protection. 

    You won’t find anything like a firewall, anti-fraud protection, phishing protection, or a virtual private network (VPN). This software is reactionary rather than proactive.

    Malware and antivirus scan

    This product does a decent job of cleaning junk files and less advanced viruses you may have picked up online. While it’s not actually an antivirus, it will remove files for you if it can.

    CleanMaster in the process of a Junk Clean scan

    Real-time protection

    Clean Master claims to have real-time antivirus protection, but we couldn't find the feature anywhere. The closest we found was the Real-time monitor in the settings. 

    Clean Master Junk Clean settings

    If you want a real-time protection product, you’re better off using an antivirus. Clean Master is not written to be a comprehensive protection tool. 

    At most, you’ll be able to clean off less intrusive, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and viruses as well as wiping trackers. Do not rely on these cleaning tools to keep you protected while browsing the internet.

    Cleaning and optimization

    This is really what this product is all about. It scans your device looking for junk, which could include viruses, ransomware, and even duplicate photos or residual files of software you’ve uninstalled. After cleaning up these things, it frees up more storage space for your RAM usage and may even help with your battery life.

    Clean Master results for PC Boost

    Most of the tools in the Clean Master product are meant to clean junk files that may be slowing down your computer or compromising your privacy. Junk Clean removes duplicate photos, remnants of programs you’ve uninstalled, and other bits cluttering up your hard drive. 

    Privacy Clean says it will “fix privacy risks, block unwanted access, and resolve privacy disclosure risks once and for all.” While that isn’t really clear, it alludes to protecting you from cookies and trackers.

    Clean Master results for Privacy Clean scan.

    Bonus features

    Clean Master Professional comes with a few bonus features focused on cleaning and streamlining your device to work faster and without viruses. The paid version also adds file removal and recovery of important files. However, this is not a robust product with a lot of offerings.

    Unfortunately, if you want to use any of these features, you’ll need to upgrade to a Pro plan. Clean Master’s bonus features include the following:

    • System Disk Slimming Expert: Removes unneeded components to free up space on your system
    • Driver Booster: Keeps drivers updated to avoid system crashes or malfunctions
    • File Shredder: Deletes files securely so they can’t be recovered
    • File Recovery: Helps you easily recover lost files
    • PC Boost: Optimizes your PC to improve speed and stop lag
    • Privacy Clean: Helps eliminate privacy risks and blocks unwanted access

    Clean Master open on tools tab

    Clean Master test results

    We review every antivirus program in three testing categories:

    • Scan speeds: Measure duration of scans and if they impact device performance
    • EICAR tests: Use cyberthreat test files to confirm the program's efficay
    • Third-party tests: Review antivirus test results to check the program's claims

    Clean Master had fast scan speeds but we can't speak very positively about its other results. It failed all three EICAR tests and its most recent third-party test results are from January 2017, so its hard to confirm how it works now.

    Scan speed

    • Result:  Fast

    Clean Master isn't a typical antivirus program, so it doesn't have typical malware scans. There's the Junk Clean scan to clean your device, the PC Boost scan to make it run faster, and the Privacy Clean scan to clean your PC history.

    Scan type Time spent
    Junk Clean  40 seconds
    PC Boost  10 seconds
    Privacy Clean  13 seconds

    All three scan types took less than a minute to complete. We also didn't notice our computer speeds slowing during the scans. 

    EICAR test results

    • Result: 0/3

    EICAR stands for the European Institute of Computer Antivirus Research. It has a library of test files for different types of cyberthreats, including malware and phishing pages.  

    Test Clean Master score
    Malware detection Fail
    Drive-by malware downloads Fail
    Phishing pages detection Fail

    Test results as of 08/30/2024.

    AV-TEST results

    • Result: Clean Master had adequate results for Android, but hasn't retested in several years. 

    Third-party testing sites are important for keeping cybersecurity software credible and accountable for its claims. AV-TEST is an independent organization that tests antivirus programs for malware protection, impact on device performance, and accuracy of its malware detection.

    Unfortunately, because these third-party sites charge for their services (don’t worry, their results are unbiased), not every company chooses to be included in regular testing. This is the case with Clean Master.

    Test type Windows 11 score macOS Monterey score Android 6 score
    Protection N/A N/A 4.5/6
    Performance N/A N/A N/A
    Usability N/A N/A 6/6
    Total N/A N/A 10.5/12
    Date N/A N/A January 2017
    Link to test N/A N/A Link

    Clean Master's last AV-TEST was performed in January 2017 and only on Android. It received a perfect usability score, indicating it had no false positives. However, it had lower malware detection rates than the industry average.

    Developers are constantly updating software and patching issues. A computer that was well protected in January could have out-of-date protection software by March. While the developers of Clean Master could be keeping up with patches and the latest technology, there’s no way to know without third-party testing.

    AV-Comparatives results

    • Result: Clean Master app was approved by AV-Comparatives, but hasn't retested in nearly a decade.

    AV-Comparatives is another independent organization that tests security software. It compares how programs perform for mobile security, real-world protection, malware protection, and performance impact. 

    Test type Mobile security Real-world protection Malware protection Performance impact (Lower is better)
    Score 99.9% N/A N/A N/A
    Platform Android N/A N/A N/A
    Date July 2015 N/A N/A N/A
    Link Link N/A N/A N/A

    Similar to its AV-TEST results, Clean Master hasn't submitted its program for testing in about a decade. It also only submitted its Android app. 

    Back in 2015, Clean Master was approved by AV-Comparatives. It had a 99.9% malware protection rate and zero false positives. 

    Clean Master compatibility

    Clean Master is available for Windows 7 and above. Its help guides claim there's a link that allows you to download the macOS app on the main website, but every page only mentions Clean Master for PC.

    There's also a Clean Master Android APK download app on the help guides.

    Clean Master customer support

    Clean Master doesn’t really have any type of customer support. There's a support page with FAQs and help guides on ZenDesk, but the guides aren't very clear. 

    If you select the Contact Us page, there will be a list of emails you can contact. We reached out with a question but didn't receive a confirmation that our email was received or any indication of when we'd get the response. 

    Top alternatives

    Clean Master doesn't check several antivirus boxes, like including real-time malware detection, phishing protection, and a firewall. But that doesn't mean you're out of options. 

    Take a look at some of our best recommendations for true antivirus protection: 

    Antivirus
    Star rating
    4.3
    4.0
    4.3
    Price $29.00–$49.00/yr (first year only) $29.99–$249.99/yr $29.99–$99.99/first yr
    # of devices protected 4 - 8 Unlimited 1 - 10
    Malware scans Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled
    Real-time protection
    EICAR test results 2/3 3/3 3/3
    Firewall
    Phishing protection
    Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
    Extras Password manager, ad blocker, VPN Parental controls, performance optimization tools, VPN Password manager, VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls, privacy monitor, identity theft protection, cloud backup
    24/7 customer support
    Learn more Get TotalAV Get McAfee Get Norton 360

    FAQs


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    Does Clean Master Antivirus work?

    Yes, we were able to clean junk files off our computer with Clean Master. While this is not the most robust antivirus product on the market, it can definitely help you isolate and clean a virus that may show up on your computer.


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    Is there a Clean Master iPhone app?

    No, Clean Master does not have a mobile app for iPhones.


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    Is Clean Master Super Cleaner safe?

    In our testing, we found the Clean Master Super Cleaner to be a safe piece of software on your computer. If you are concerned about using Clean Master Super Cleaner, you can use the more reputable and tested MalwareBytes free download to diagnose and clean your computer.

    Bottom line: Is Clean Master good?

    Clean Master is definitely not the best antivirus you will find, and you shouldn’t be using it exclusively to protect your computer. This is more likely to assist you in cleaning junk and PUPs from your device. If you’re looking for an actual antivirus product, we have reviewed many of the best antivirus products on the market and recommend them.

    If you find your machine slowing down, Clean Master could help you revive it. The bonus features with the paid plan, like the file shredder and file recovery, could definitely be useful. Overall though, there are better options that you could and should be using to protect yourself and your devices while online.

    3.3
    Editorial Rating
    Learn More
    On Clean Master's website
    Antivirus Software
    Clean Master
    • Cleans junk and boosts PC performance
    • Easy-to-use
    • Most features are only available on Pro
    Author Details
    Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.