diCleaner is distributed in two editions:
- MAS means the edition downloaded from the Mac App Store.
- Direct means the edition downloaded from the official Doinno website.
Both editions provide the main diCleaner experience, including cleanup, application management, file and storage tools, privacy tools, system information, and menu bar access. The important differences come from distribution, App Sandbox restrictions, folder authorization, privileged operations, and update delivery.
This table describes the current general behavior. Exact availability can also depend on the installed diCleaner version, macOS version, Mac hardware, and permissions you grant.
Feature comparison
| Area | MAS edition | Direct edition |
|---|---|---|
| Download source | Apple Mac App Store | Official Doinno website |
| Installation | Installed and verified through the Mac App Store | Downloaded from Doinno and copied to Applications |
| Application sandbox | Runs inside the macOS App Sandbox | Does not use the App Store sandbox |
| Updates | Delivered through the Mac App Store | Uses the supported Doinno update mechanism |
| Release timing | Subject to App Store review and availability | Can be released directly by Doinno |
| Home folder access | May ask you to select your Home folder and save access to it | Does not use the same Home-folder selection workflow |
| Full Disk Access | May still be useful for supported protected locations | May still be useful for supported protected locations |
| User-selected folders and external disks | Supported after you select or authorize accessible locations | Supported, subject to normal macOS privacy and file permissions |
| Standard cleanup tools | Available for locations the sandbox and granted permissions allow diCleaner to inspect | Available with a broader potential scan scope |
| Protected or system-level cleanup | Some locations or actions may be unavailable or skipped | Can use supported non-sandboxed or privileged operations when required |
| Application scanning and uninstall review | Available within authorized locations; some protected related files may be omitted | Can inspect a broader set of supported application-related locations |
| Startup item review | Can inspect supported startup items | Can inspect supported startup items |
| Startup item actions | Can remove supported entries, but cannot use the Direct edition’s privileged disable workflow | Can disable and restore supported system-level startup items using the available privileged workflow |
| CPU, memory, disk, battery, and network overview | Available when supported by the Mac and macOS | Available when supported by the Mac and macOS |
| Memory overview and optimization | Available | Available, with additional process detail where supported |
| Privacy Vaults | Not available because the encrypted disk-image workflow cannot operate within the App Store sandbox | Available in supported Direct releases |
| Menu bar companion | Available using the MAS companion build | Available using the Direct companion build |
| Online Information & Comments | Available when enabled and an internet connection is available | Available when enabled and an internet connection is available |
| App update information | Uses supported online sources; diCleaner itself updates through the App Store | Uses supported online sources; diCleaner itself updates through Doinno |
Features that are generally the same
Most everyday workflows are designed to be familiar in both editions. Subject to permissions and current feature availability, this includes:
- Reviewing junk and supported cache categories.
- Inspecting installed applications and related files.
- Finding large, old, duplicate, and similar files.
- Analyzing storage in accessible folders and disks.
- Organizing downloads and screenshots.
- Reviewing recent-item and photo-metadata privacy information.
- Viewing common Mac status information.
- Using supported menu bar status views and shortcuts.
- Using Online Information & Comments and other documented online services.
The same button appearing in both editions does not always mean that both builds can reach the same files. A MAS scan can be narrower when its sandbox or saved folder authorization does not cover a location.
The most important permission difference
The MAS edition runs inside the App Sandbox. When a tool needs broad access to files in your user account, diCleaner may ask you to choose your Home folder. macOS then grants the MAS edition a saved authorization for that folder.
The Direct edition does not use this saved Home-folder authorization flow. This does not mean it bypasses macOS privacy controls. Full Disk Access, Photos access, file ownership, locked files, and other system protections can still affect what the Direct edition can inspect or remove.
Granting Home Folder Access is also not the same as granting Full Disk Access:
- Home Folder Access gives the MAS edition a selected folder scope.
- Full Disk Access is a macOS privacy permission for certain protected data.
Depending on the tool, the MAS edition may need one, both, or neither.
Cleanup and application-management differences
Both editions let you review results before removal. The Direct edition can additionally use supported operations that are not permitted inside the App Store sandbox. This can result in:
- More complete results from supported system-level locations.
- Access to additional application-related files outside the MAS edition’s authorized scope.
- Fewer items being marked inaccessible when an operation requires the Direct edition’s supported privileged helper.
These differences do not mean that every larger Direct-edition result should be removed. Review paths, applications, and categories carefully in either edition.
If the same scan shows different totals:
- Confirm that both copies are current.
- Check Home Folder Access for the MAS copy.
- Check Full Disk Access for the exact copy you opened.
- Verify that both scans used the same options and locations.
- Run a fresh scan in each edition.
Do not compare an old saved result from one edition with a new result from the other.
Startup management differences
Both editions can find supported login and background items. The MAS edition is limited to actions allowed inside its sandbox and can remove supported entries. It cannot use the Direct edition’s privileged workflow for disabling and later restoring supported system-level launch items.
The Direct edition may offer Disable and Restore for supported startup items. This is different from uninstalling the application that created them.
If you only want to stop an ordinary application from opening when you sign in, first review System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions. Use diCleaner’s startup controls only after identifying the application and the item’s purpose.
Privacy Vaults
Privacy Vaults use an encrypted disk-image workflow that creates and mounts protected storage. This workflow is not available in the MAS edition because of App Store sandbox restrictions.
Use the Direct edition if Privacy Vaults are part of your intended workflow. Before switching editions or removing a working copy:
- Close any open vault.
- Preserve a verified backup of important vault data.
- Confirm that the installed Direct version supports the vault.
- Do not delete the last working vault or application copy until access has been verified.
Which edition should you choose?
Choose MAS when you prefer:
- Installation and updates through Apple.
- App Store purchase and download management.
- The additional containment provided by App Sandbox.
- The standard feature set within locations you authorize.
Choose Direct when you need:
- Broader supported file-system inspection.
- Supported privileged cleanup or startup-item operations.
- Additional compatible hardware readings.
- Privacy Vaults.
- Updates distributed directly by Doinno.
You do not normally need to keep both editions installed. Duplicate copies can make permissions, menu bar behavior, settings, and updates confusing.
Switching between MAS and Direct
The two editions use different application identities. macOS does not automatically transfer every permission from one to the other.
Before switching:
- Finish active scans, cleanup operations, and file operations.
- Note preferences and ignore rules you want to reproduce.
- Close vaults and preserve important data when moving away from a vault-capable edition.
- Install the intended edition in Applications.
- Grant only the permissions required for your workflow.
- Run fresh scans.
- Confirm that the intended menu bar companion is active.
- Remove the obsolete copy only after the new edition works as expected.
If two editions remain installed temporarily, check About diCleaner and the installation source before changing permissions or reporting a problem.