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How the Kyiv-founded company behind CleanMyMac and ClearVPN is transforming into an AI-first platform player.
Founded in Kyiv in 2008, MacPaw has grown into a global technology company building a digital ecosystem designed to supercharge productivity for Mac users. With an office opened in Boston in 2023 and others and across the EU, the company is evolving beyond standalone utilities into a unified software experience blending system care, cybersecurity, app discovery — and increasingly — AI.
Its best-known products, including CleanMyMac, Setapp, and ClearVPN, have long focused on simplicity and design.
I spoke with CEO Oleksandr Kosovan, who says the company is undergoing a “total transformation” into an AI-first organisation.
“That means two things. First, we are developing AI products that utilise large language models for our customers.
Second, we are adopting AI internally — working with AI agents, automating processes, writing code with AI, and integrating it across workflows. So we are in the process of a total transformation.”
AI as an opportunity — and a threat
Kosovan argues that while Apple provides an excellent ecosystem for developers, AI is changing how people consume software.
“There’s a decline in traditional search traffic, as users spend more time with chatbots like ChatGPT. In some cases, users may not need an app — they can solve tasks via AI. This is both an opportunity and a threat.
The final user experience model is still evolving, and we want to be one of the alternatives people can choose.”
Enter Eney
In 2025, MacPaw released a beta version of Eney, an AI assistant — or what the company calls a “Computerbeing” — designed to change how Mac users interact with their devices.
Built for everyday users rather than technical specialists, Eney aims to transform complex digital tasks into simple, conversational experiences. Instead of switching between multiple applications, users can rely on Eney to complete tasks through natural language prompts, creating a more streamlined and personalised workflow.
At its core, Eney is designed as a human-like digital companion that helps users navigate their digital lives more intuitively. By removing friction from everyday processes, the assistant seeks to make routine interactions faster and more effortless.
Kosovan explained:
“We’re trying to do as much as possible directly on the user’s device to guarantee strong privacy. In some cases, this also enables faster operations.
The goal is not only to allow users to speak with the assistant, but to execute actions on their devices.”
Eney is currently available in closed beta exclusively through Setapp, with a broader public release planned later this year as the product continues to be refined
Reinventing Setapp for the AI era
Today MacPaw announced new purchase options on Setapp, introducing single-app subscriptions for more than 60 applications.
“We know people use apps differently,” says Kosovan.
“Expanding into single-app models is our first meaningful step toward transforming Setapp into an open ecosystem marketplace — where users can discover and use third-party tools and AI-powered solutions.”
AI is already unlocking new functionality. For example, CleanMyMac can analyse system logs and explain issues in natural language.
“With a product like CleanMyMac, users could say, ‘Help me clean my Downloads folder,’ and the system can respond conversationally and execute actions. These are new possibilities enabled by large language models.”
However, not every app is an obvious fit. Applications working with textual data — logs or documents — benefit most from LLM integration.
“Tools like video compression or audio conversion rely on conventional algorithms. LLMs won’t replace those core functions,” he says. MacPaw plans to extend single-app subscriptions beyond Setapp Membership later this year.
For Mac afficandos. MacPaw’s vintage Apple museum is a delight. I visited their office in Boston Cambridge in 2024 and was pleased to see it extended Stateside.
Moonlock and the rise of Mac cybersecurity
As Mac adoption grows, so too do cyber threats. Moonlock is a Mac protection and antivirus app built for individual Mac users. Its detection engine has powered CleanMyMac’s malware removal module since 2023, protecting millions of users.
The app’s malware database is continuously updated through hands-on research by Moonlock Lab, MacPaw’s in-house team of malware investigators, who track emerging macOS threats. Its launch comes amid rising Mac-targeted threats: malware detections increased 20 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023, while 66 per cent of Mac users report encountering a cyber threat in the past year.
The long-standing perception of Macs as malware-free is no longer accurate.
In 2025, the product expanded with the launch of “VPN for Home,” introducing router support that allows households to secure all connected devices through a single account — without installing the app on each device individually.
To further strengthen safe browsing, the team launched ClearWeb, an ad-blocking Chrome extension that creates a cleaner and more secure online experience. One of its key advantages is the ability to block ads within videos, including on YouTube.
How ClearVPN became critical infrastructure in Ukraine
In February 2026, ClearVPN introduced Kid Safe Mode — a dedicated browsing profile designed to protect children online. With a single tap, it activates enhanced protection, filtering harmful content and preventing risky connections.
Since February 2022, ClearVPN’s role has extended beyond technology.
Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, MacPaw made ClearVPN free for all Ukrainian citizens, recognising the urgent need for secure and uninterrupted access to trusted information. The product has helped thousands of Ukrainians — including those in temporarily occupied territories — access independent news and reliable updates.
As attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure continue, with power outages in Kyiv sometimes lasting more than 24 hours, many residents rely on public Wi-Fi networks to stay connected. In these conditions, VPN protection becomes even more critical due to the heightened security risks of public networks
. MacPaw remains committed to providing ClearVPN free of charge to Ukrainians for as long as it is needed.
Four years Into war, MacPaw keeps shipping — and scaling globally
Before the invasion, MacPaw had already developed a crisis response plan covering power outages, air raids, cyberattacks, and supply chain disruptions.
“Last year, during a missile strike near our office, those drills helped a lot,” Kosovan says. “When people are in shock, having a step-by-step procedure allows them to act correctly.”
To monitor team safety, MacPaw continues to use Together App, a tool created by its engineers during the early months of the invasion to quickly confirm employees’ safety following missile or drone attacks. “After rocket strikes in Kyiv, we conduct daily check-ins to ensure everyone is safe.”
Despite the extraordinary circumstances, Kosovan describes his role as largely consistent with that of any global CEO. “I focus on the business, customers, products, and internal transformation,” he says.
“The main difference is security. After rocket strikes in Kyiv, we conduct daily check-ins to ensure everyone is safe.”
The prolonged strain, however, is undeniable. Reflecting on the persistent air raids and disrupted sleep cycles, he acknowledges the toll:
“Unfortunately, we are getting used to it. That’s very sad, but it’s our reality.” Productivity has inevitably been affected. “Sleep deprivation and prolonged stress affect people physically and mentally,” Kosovan admits.
In response, the company introduced unlimited vacation and expanded mental health support.
“But continuing to work on meaningful goals helps. The tech industry is moving very fast — especially with AI — and we must keep up.”
Due to ongoing security risks, office attendance is not mandatory. The company employs around 300 people in Kyiv and approximately 200–250 team members abroad, and continues to hire Ukrainians both domestically and internationally.
Four years into the full-scale war, the company remains operational in Ukraine while expanding internationally. In 2023, MacPaw opened its first US office in Boston.
Since its founding in 2008, the company has built products for users worldwide — and continues to update and maintain them without interruption.
At the same time, its corporate social responsibility efforts have intensified. Since 2022, MacPaw has donated more than $13 million to initiatives supporting Ukrainians affected by Russian aggression, including humanitarian aid, restoring access to education, and promoting inclusion.
Rethinking Ukrainian tech
Kosovan asserts that Ukrainian tech is much larger than people think.
“Many companies register abroad — Delaware, Cyprus — for security reasons. So users don’t realise they’re Ukrainian-made. There’s also a strong Ukrainian diaspora of engineers and founders worldwide. I’m proud of that heritage.”
Four years into the full-scale war, MacPaw remains operational in Ukraine while expanding globally. Its strategy is clear: simplify software for everyday users, embed AI at every level of the organisation, and redefine how people interact with their computers.
If successful, Eney — the “Computerbeing” — could mark MacPaw’s next evolution: from utility maker to architect of a new human-computer interface paradigm.