Activity Monitor alternatives/Vitals vs CleanMyMac Menu

Vitals vs CleanMyMac Menu

Atta 馃惉

Founder, Vitals

CleanMyMac Menu checked

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Quick answer

Vitals is the better choice if you want the full picture of which app is using your Mac: every app with its helpers counted in, 30 days of history per app, and dev servers with their ports. CleanMyMac Menu is the menu bar part of CleanMyMac, with top consumers, temperatures and a one-click memory free-up, and it makes sense if you already pay for CleanMyMac.

VitalsCleanMyMac Menu
What it is
VitalsAn Activity Monitor replacement with a menu bar item
CleanMyMac MenuThe menu bar part of CleanMyMac
List of what is running
VitalsEvery app, with its helper processes counted in
CleanMyMac MenuTop consumers of CPU, memory and battery
Helper processes counted under their app
VitalsYes
CleanMyMac MenuNot stated
History
Vitals30 days for every metric, per app
CleanMyMac MenuA live CPU load chart; history not stated
Alerts
VitalsWhen an app keeps the CPU busy, keeps growing in memory, or hammers the disk or network
CleanMyMac MenuHeavy memory use, hung apps, battery drain, overheating, low disk space
Temperatures and fans
VitalsTemperatures and fan speed
CleanMyMac MenuCPU, disk and battery temperatures; fans not stated
Dev servers and open ports
VitalsGrouped by project, idle ones pointed out
CleanMyMac MenuNot stated
Quit and force quit
VitalsAn app or a single process, after a confirmation
CleanMyMac MenuQuit from the top consumers list; force quit not stated
Free up memory
VitalsNo; Vitals shows which app is using it
CleanMyMac MenuYes, one click
Cleanup and malware protection
VitalsNo
CleanMyMac MenuYes, in CleanMyMac
Price
Vitals$5 during the launch, $29 after, once
CleanMyMac MenuPart of CleanMyMac: from $29.95 a year, or $79.95 once, 1 Mac
Trial
VitalsNone, a 14-day refund
CleanMyMac Menu7 days
Requirements
VitalsmacOS 15 or later
CleanMyMac MenumacOS 11 or later

Choose Vitals if

  • You want every app listed, not only the top consumers
  • You want 30 days of history per app
  • You want to pay once, and pay less
  • You run dev servers and want to see their ports
Get Vitals for $5

Choose CleanMyMac Menu if

  • You already pay for CleanMyMac
  • You want cleanup and malware scanning with your monitor
  • You want a one-click memory free-up
  • You are on a macOS older than 15
CleanMyMac Menu website

How we compared

The CleanMyMac Menu column comes from its maker's own site on September 22, 2026. Where the site does not say whether it does something, the cell says "Not stated". If a cell is out of date, email us and we will fix it.

More comparisons

Wondering why apps show so many rows in Activity Monitor? Read about helper processes.