Feature comparison

Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer) vs SquirrelDisk

GNOME’s disk usage analyzer for local devices, folders, and online accounts. A Rust disk analyzer with sunburst, treemap, duplicates, SSH, and cloud sources. See how their platforms, views, and cleanup workflows fit the way you work.

Mixed / MixedOpen source / Open source

Which fits your needs?

Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer): Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.

SquirrelDisk: People wanting a free open-source GUI across desktop systems and remote storage.

Features, pricing, and workflow

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FeatureBaobab (Disk Usage Analyzer)SquirrelDisk
Best fitLinux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.People wanting a free open-source GUI across desktop systems and remote storage.
VisualizationFolder tree with ring/treemap graphical viewsSunburst, treemap, file list, and duplicates
Platforms and requirementsLinux (GNOME)macOS, Windows, Linux
Pricing and editionsFree software from GNOME; available through Flathub/distributions.Free; AGPL-3.0 source published on GitHub.
Open sourceYesYes
Native macOS UILinux applicationCross-platform interface
Cleanup workflowInspect the selected location and use documented file actions or the system file manager.Collector offers Trash, permanent removal, secure erase, or backup before deletion.
Reports and portabilityKeep Baobab for Linux desktop analysis. For a terminal on Linux, NullDisk’s CLI can rescan the same filesystem; its Mac GUI does not import Baobab sessions.The current overview does not establish an interoperable scan-report format. Preserve paths, duplicate decisions, and remote source settings separately.

Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer): what stands out

A good fit for Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.

Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer): strengths

  • Tree and graphical folder-size views
  • Scans devices, selected folders, and online accounts
  • Free software maintained within GNOME

Considerations

  • A Linux desktop app rather than a native Mac application
  • Remote access depends on available account/backend support
  • A scan inventory is not a backup or deletion recommendation

Full product guide → · Alternatives →

SquirrelDisk: what stands out

A good fit for people wanting a free open-source GUI across desktop systems and remote storage.

SquirrelDisk: strengths

  • Live maps and a staged removal collector
  • Content-based duplicate search
  • SSH and rclone-backed cloud storage

Considerations

  • Uses a cross-platform Rust interface rather than SwiftUI
  • Permanent deletion and secure erase require deliberate review
  • Cloud/SSH actions depend on provider and remote-system support

Full product guide → · Alternatives →

For a useful comparison on your own drive, match the scan root, access permissions, and size mode. Chart style changes how you explore the results; it does not by itself establish measurement accuracy.

Common questions

When should I choose Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer)?

A good fit for Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis. Free software from GNOME; available through Flathub/distributions.

When should I choose SquirrelDisk?

A good fit for people wanting a free open-source GUI across desktop systems and remote storage. Free; AGPL-3.0 source published on GitHub.

Will both apps show the same size?

Not necessarily. Match the scan root, permissions, exclusions, and logical/allocated-size mode. Hard links, APFS clones, snapshots, sparse files, and cloud placeholders can change totals. A reported size is not a guaranteed amount recovered after deletion.

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