Utilities · head to head
CCleaner vs GParted
CCleaner
Utilities
System cleanup and optimisation utility for Windows and Mac
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CCleaner registry cleaning has little measurable benefit on modern Windows and carries some risk of removing something needed; GParted partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice
- They diverge on capability: CCleaner covers Junk file cleanup, GParted covers Graphical partitioning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CCleaner and GParted actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in CCleaner
- Junk file cleanup
- Registry cleaner
- Startup manager
- Software uninstaller
Only in GParted
- Graphical partitioning
- Wide filesystem support
- Live boot image
- Queued operations
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CCleaner
- Reclaiming disk space from accumulated caches and temporary filesnot GParted
- Controlling startup programs on a slow-booting machinenot GParted
- Bulk uninstalling softwarenot GParted
GParted
- Resizing a system partition, booted from the live imagenot CCleaner
- Preparing disk layout before installing an operating systemnot CCleaner
- Recovering space or repairing partition tables on a failing disknot CCleaner
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CCleaner
- Registry cleaning has little measurable benefit on modern Windows and carries some risk of removing something needed
- The free version prompts toward the paid one persistently
- A 2017 supply chain compromise distributed malware through an official signed build, which permanently changed how some administrators view it
- Much of what it does is achievable with the disk cleanup tools built into Windows
GParted
- Partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice
- Cannot safely modify mounted partitions, so system drives require booting the live image
- Large move and resize operations can take hours and must not be interrupted
- The interface is functional rather than reassuring, which matters for an operation this consequential
Pricing, plan by plan
CCleaner
Free- FreeFree
- Core functionality
- Personal use
GParted
Free- GPartedFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose CCleaner if
- You need junk file cleanup.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Android.
- You also want registry cleaner.
Choose GParted if
- You need graphical partitioning.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Live USB.
- You also want wide filesystem support.
Questions people ask
- Is CCleaner or GParted better?
- Neither clearly leads. CCleaner starts at Free and GParted at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CCleaner or GParted?
- CCleaner starts at Free and GParted at Free.
- Does CCleaner or GParted run on more platforms?
- CCleaner runs on Windows, macOS, Android. GParted runs on Linux, Live USB.
- Can I use CCleaner for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is CCleaner best used for?
- CCleaner is most often used for reclaiming disk space from accumulated caches and temporary files, controlling startup programs on a slow-booting machine, bulk uninstalling software. Of those, reclaiming disk space from accumulated caches and temporary files and controlling startup programs on a slow-booting machine are not what GParted is typically brought in for.
- What can CCleaner do that GParted cannot?
- CCleaner covers Junk file cleanup, Registry cleaner, Startup manager, Software uninstaller. GParted covers Graphical partitioning, Wide filesystem support, Live boot image, Queued operations.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
CCleaner: Is CCleaner free?
There is a free version, with a paid Professional tier adding scheduled cleaning and real-time monitoring.
GParted: Is GParted free?
Yes, open source under the GPL.
CCleaner: Does registry cleaning actually help?
Very little on modern Windows. The measurable gains come from clearing caches and controlling startup programs, not from the registry.
GParted: Can GParted resize my system drive?
Not while it is mounted. Boot the GParted live USB image, which runs independently of the installed system.
CCleaner: Is CCleaner safe?
It is a mainstream product from Gen Digital, though a 2017 supply chain attack distributed malware via an official build. That was resolved, and it remains a fair reason some administrators avoid it.
GParted: Is it safe?
The operations are consequential and interruption during a move or resize can lose data. Back up before using it, every time.