RIVET
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RIVET vs CCleaner
Short answer: pick CCleaner if you want driver and software updates, browser privacy cleaning and one subscription that also covers Mac, Android or iPhone. Pick RIVET if you want to see what is running and starting with Windows, change it with a preview first and undo most of it later, pay once instead of yearly, and keep everything on your PC with no telemetry.
CCleaner is one of the best-known PC cleaners, made by Gen Digital. RIVET is a newer, smaller app from an independent developer, built around showing you what your PC is doing before you change anything. They overlap on cleanup and startup apps, and differ on almost everything else.
Side by side
| RIVET | CCleaner | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; Pro is a one-off $4.99 | Free; Professional £29.95 for the first year, then £44.95 a year; Professional Plus (3 devices) £39.95, then £64.95 a year |
| Trial | 14 days of everything, once per PC | 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans |
| Windows versions | Windows 10 (2004+) and 11, x64 | Windows 11, 10 and 8.1, 32-bit and 64-bit |
| Other platforms | None | Mac, Android and iOS versions |
| Junk and temp file cleanup | Yes, with each row's size shown before deleting | Yes |
| Browser history and privacy cleaning | Browser caches only | Yes, across major browsers |
| Startup apps | Disable or delay, with measured boot impact | Disable hidden startup programs |
| Driver Updater / Software Updater | No | Yes (Professional) |
| Processes and services | Grouped by app, explained in plain English, start types editable | Performance Optimizer puts chosen apps to sleep |
| Undo | History with undo after a restart for settings, startup apps and service start types | Not stated on its product page |
| Telemetry and account | No telemetry, no account | Not stated on its product page |
| AI assistant | Ask RIVET (Pro), runs on your own PC | None listed |
Where CCleaner is better
- Updates for drivers and apps. CCleaner Professional includes a Driver Updater and a Software Updater. RIVET does neither.
- Browser privacy. CCleaner removes browsing data across major browsers. RIVET only clears browser caches.
- More devices and platforms. CCleaner runs on Windows 8.1 and 32-bit Windows, and has Mac, Android and iOS versions. RIVET is Windows 10 and 11, x64 only.
- Scheduled and cloud cleaning. CCleaner can clean automatically and scan Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox for files you don't need.
- Twenty years of history and more than 40 app languages, against RIVET's 10.
Where RIVET is better
- You see it before it happens. Every change is previewed, and cleanup lists each row's size before anything is deleted.
- Most changes can be undone. Windows settings, startup apps and service start types can be undone even after a restart, and RIVET checks nothing else changed them first.
- Pay once. Pro is $4.99, one time, against a yearly CCleaner subscription.
- Private by design. No telemetry, no account. The assistant runs on your own PC.
- Explains what's running. Processes and services in plain English, with a safety rating and signature check.
What RIVET doesn't do
- No driver or software updates.
- No browser history, cookie or password cleaning.
- No registry cleaner.
- No Mac, Android, iPhone, Windows 8.1 or 32-bit version.
- Cleanup and ending a process can't be undone; RIVET says so before you confirm.
Questions
Is RIVET a good free alternative to CCleaner?
For startup apps, services, temp file cleanup and Windows settings, yes: RIVET is free with a 14-day full trial, and Pro is a one-off $4.99. It does not update drivers or apps, or clean browser history, so it is not a full replacement if you rely on those.
Does RIVET collect data like some PC cleaners?
No. RIVET has no telemetry, no analytics and no account. The only network request it makes is the optional download of the assistant's model, and only when you choose it.
Can I undo what RIVET changes?
Most changes, yes. Windows settings, startup apps and service start types can be undone even after a restart. Cleanup deletes files and ending a process ends it, so those can't be undone, and RIVET tells you before you confirm.
Can I use RIVET and CCleaner together?
Yes. They don't conflict. Some people use CCleaner for updates and browser cleaning and RIVET for startup apps, services and settings.