CCleaner Free vs HWMonitor

CCleaner Free: what it's good at

CCleaner removes temporary files, browser caches and other accumulated junk to free disk space, and includes a registry cleaner and startup program manager. Long the best-known cleanup utility on Windows.

• Junk and temporary file cleanup
• Browser cache and history clearing
• Startup program manager
• Uninstall tool for stubborn programs

HWMonitor: what it's good at

HWMonitor reads hardware sensors to report CPU and GPU temperatures, fan speeds, voltages and drive health. It is the first tool to reach for when a machine is throttling, running hot or unexpectedly noisy.

• CPU, GPU and drive temperature monitoring
• Fan speed and voltage readings
• Records minimum and maximum values
• Supports a very wide range of sensors

Which should you choose?

Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.

Both run on Windows. Only CCleaner Free supports macOS.

We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is CCleaner Free better than HWMonitor?

Neither is universally better. CCleaner Free clear out junk files and reclaim disk space, while HWMonitor monitor temperatures, voltages and fan speeds. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.

Are both really free?

CCleaner Free is free tier and HWMonitor is free. Both can be downloaded without paying.

Can I install both?

Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.