Just like your car, you should give your PC a tune-up from time to time to keep it in top working order. Many of us use our computers on a daily basis, and increasing numbers use their PCs for work tasks or running a business. Failing to maintain your PC can cause its performance to dwindle, resulting in slowdowns.

Thankfully, there are a ton of options available to help perform regular maintenance. These tools often work with little user input but can have a dramatic impact on the health and performance of your PC.

In this article, we reveal the best PC tune-up software to consider. In case you don’t have time to read the full post, below is an at-a-glance look at our top picks.

The best PC tune-up software and tools:

  • IOLO System Mechanic: Our top recommendation for PC tune-up software. IOLO System Mechanic boosts your PC’s performance and covers all your home computers under one license.
  • iObit SystemCare: Freemium tune-up tool with some excellent security features.
  • AVG TuneUp: Pricey alternative but delivers excellent performance.
  • Norton Utilities Premium: Premium tool backed by a strong reputation.
  • Slimware SLIMCLEANER: Feature-rich software that uses crowdsourcing to provide real-time recommendations.
  • Ashampoo WinOptimizer: Free version is robust and the paid program impresses with its improved interface.

While there are a ton of options available, not all PC tune-up software are worth your time, with services differing in a variety of factors. We based our selections for the top PC tune-up software on the following criteria:

  • Offers significant performance improvement
  • Has a range of features
  • Supports all newer Windows versions
  • Easy to use
  • Provides solid customer support
  • Offers value for money

See also: How to speed up a low laptop or PC

Best PC tune up software

Here’s our list of the best PC tune-up programs:

1. IOLO System Mechanic

Iolo System Mechanic is a veteran tune-up software that is known for its excellent performance and ease of use. It can detect and repair over 30,000 issues based on updates from Iolo Labs. It will automatically start working whenever your computer is idle.

System Mechanic will defragment your hard drive, remove useless files and unwanted startup programs, control CPU and RAM usage, and more. One neat feature is NetBooster which will optimize your internet settings to improve download speeds and page load times. Privacy and security protections include the wiping of browsing history and patching of Windows vulnerabilities.

A huge bonus with this tool is that you pay one price to cover all PCs in your home, whereas some other utilities require you to purchase a separate license for each computer or limit the number of PCs you can cover. This makes Iolo System Mechanic an ideal choice for a family or a group of housemates.

This utility is suitable for use with Windows XP and newer. Support is available via live chat or over the phone.

Price:A one-year subscription costs just $24.97 for Comparitech readers (the regular price is $49.95). With this subscription, you can use the tool on an unlimited number of PCs. Subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Optimizes your computer and internet speed
  • Easy to use
  • Additional privacy features
  • Use on all PCs in your household
  • Supports Windows XP and above
  • Great value for money
  • Includes live-chat support

Cons:

  • Some rivals offer a couple more advanced features

2. iObit SystemCare

iObit System Care offers both a free and premium version. If you’re just looking for a basic cleanup, you may find that the free version has enough to offer. It gives you low-level cleaning and optimization, the ability to fix disk errors with one click, and real-time system condition monitoring. It also comes with a few privacy and security features, including spyware removal, automatic FaceID intruder capture, and an email filter.

While the free tool is decent, the Pro version promises many more features at a reasonable price. The AI mode provides superior scanning and optimization to further boost your computer and internet speed. Features include registry cleaning, hard drive defragmentation, RAM cleanup (to stop unused processes and programs), and one-click program updates.

Privacy and security features include automatic clearing for tracking data while browsing, digital fingerprint cloaking, personal data protection, and real-time security hole detection and blocking. The Pro version also includes automatic updates and around-the-clock technical support.

This program’s sleek, modern dashboard is easy to use and suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. iObit System Care does install additional programs by default, including a VPN, so make sure you go for the custom install option to control exactly what’s installed and how the application behaves. This tool works with Windows XP and newer.

Price: You can use the basic version completely free but the Pro plan costs $16.77 per year for one PC or $19.99 per year for three PCs. Subscriptions include a 60-day money-back guarantee.

  • Intuitive dashboard

  • Works with Windows XP and newer

  • Allows for one-click cleanup

  • Can set it to work automatically

  • Improves boot time

  • Clear junk files to free up disk space

  • Installs additional software

3. AVG TuneUp

AVG offers a free version but this only scans your PC. For actual tune-up, you’ll need to go for the paid version. This includes a performance optimizer that can greatly speed up your device. While it offers stellar performance, this is one of the priciest tools on the list.

The interface is beginner-friendly and this software works fast. AVG will clean your registry to avoid crashes and errors, and automatic maintenance will clean up browser traces, cache files, tracking cookies, and program leftovers. One of the neatest features of this tool is the live optimization. This lets you put certain programs to sleep on a priority basis, lowering the drain on your computer’s memory and CPU and speeding up your systems. This is especially handy if you tend to multitask a lot.

This tool will deep-clean your hard drive, installer files, the cache, old backups, and temporary system files, leaving you with more space. It also removes temporary data and other online leftovers from browsers (including Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer) to make them faster, lighter, and less buggy. AVG’s software updater will automatically install updates for over 50 popular apps. A software uninstaller removes junk programs and bloatware.

Price:The free version of AVG TuneUp doesn’t actually clean up your PC so you’ll need to go for the paid version. The price is pretty steep at $29.99 for a year on one device or $34.99 per year on 10 devices. That said, there is a free seven-day trial which doesn’t require you to enter credit card details, so you can try before you buy.

  • Intuitive dashboard

  • Feature-rich

  • Cleans up over 200 apps

  • Speeds up browsing

  • Automatic software updates

  • Full 30-day free trial

  • Free version isn’t usable

  • Paid version is pricey

4.Norton Utilities Premium

Norton has several tune-up products on offer including Computer Tune Up and Norton Utilities Premium. The Tune Up is actually a one-time remote access service whereby a technician takes over your computer to analyze and optimize it.

If you’d prefer to have ongoing tune-up facilities, you can opt for Norton Utilities Premium. This provides an intuitive dashboard that allows you to optimize your PC in one click. It will free up hard drive space and help speed up program access. Unwanted startup programs are identified and removed and common issues are fixed to prevent crashes and slowdowns.

Norton Utilities Premium will automatically optimize your computer’s memory and processing power. It fixes common problems to speed up your device, and can detect and remove unwanted startup programs. You can improve your digital privacy by taking advantage of the browser file download removal feature. A file shredder will dispose of personal documents securely such that they can’t be accessed by others.

This software runs automatically while your PC is idle. It works with Windows 7 and newer. The interface is easy to use but support is available through phone and email in case you need help.

Price:Norton’s one-time Computer Tune Up service costs $49.99 per service. For use on up to 10 devices, Norton Utilities Premium will cost you $39.99 per year. Norton products come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

  • Great for improving performance

  • Monitors system in real time

  • Includes a file shredder

  • Works with Windows 7 and up

  • Phone support available

  • Limited licenses

  • Fairly pricey

5. Slimware SLIMCLEANER

Slimware SLIMCLEANER offers plenty of features for helping to keep your PC running quickly and smoothly. There’s no free version of this software, but it does offer a seven-day free trial. A one-click scan enables you to quickly detect issues with your PC. Other features include performance boost mode, start time optimizations, and deletion of unnecessary startup items.

This software includes a unique community rating system that provides recommendations for software and startup programs based on ratings from other users. This means you have up-to-date information from the field being applied to optimize your PC’s performance. Slimware SLIMCLEANER will remove junkware and unnecessary files, freeing up space and protecting your privacy.

This tool supports Windows XP and later. It is very easy to use but support is available via phone or email should you need assistance.

Price:A one-computer license costs $19.97 for one year. You can opt to cover three computers for two years ($39.97) or five computers for life for ($59.97). You can try it out with a seven-day free trial.

  • Boosts performance and optimizes start time

  • Crowdsourced Instant Alert feature

  • Several pricing tiers available

  • Very easy to use

  • Email and phone support

  • Limited licenses

6. Ashampoo WinOptimizer

Ashampoo WinOptimizer offers both a free and paid version. The no-cost option is fully functional and cleans your system, improving performance. Several privacy and security features are bundled in, including AntiSpy (deals with items such as remote access and folder sharing), Win10 Privacy Control (helps you disable Cortana, cloud syncing, and location services), and a file wiper tool (ensures deleted files are irrecoverable). Ashampoo WinOptimizer free will also clear browser junk files and cache and provides configuration options for browser and cookies settings.

Although the free version is an excellent choice for anyone on a budget, Ashampoo WinOptimizer offers additional features that you may be willing to pay for. This software delivers excellent results in terms of speed optimization. It offers an improved dashboard which has boosted its user-friendliness. It’s feature-rich and provides disk defragmentation, browser extension management, benchmark tests, automatic cleaning, and more.

Ashampoo has developed a special algorithm for cleaning junk files and saving disk space. Automatic features work in the background to improve performance. These include Game Booster which closes non-essential background processes while you’re gaming and restarts them after you finish playing. If you’re interested in seeing exactly what the tool is doing, you can view detailed analysis logs.

This tool works with Windows 7 and up. Support is available via live chat or webform.

Price:The free version of WinOptimizer is robust and comes with a decent selection of features. The paid version usually costs a one-time payment of $29.99 for use on 10 devices but is regularly on sale for $14.99 or even $9.99. The software is updated each year and you can upgrade to the latest version for a reduced fee (usually $14.99). Ashampoo offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Solid optimization

  • Works with Windows 7 and up

  • Single license covers 10 PCs

  • Extensive range of optimization tools

  • Usable free version

  • Easy-to-use interface

  • Limitations on the license

The good news is that Windows has a built-in defrag tool that you can use to keep your hard drive optimized. This ensures that you can keep your hard drive healthy without the need for any third-party tools.

If you want to defragment your hard drive (or check on its status), simply type “defrag” into the Windows search bar on the bottom left of your screen. Now, select the defrag window and choose Defragment and Optimize Drives.

Note that Windows 10 and 11 periodically defragment your drives by default, automatically.

The best tune-up programs provide features such as disk defragmentation, browser extension management, benchmark testing, and automatic cleaning (removal of unwanted or unused files).