Which fits your needs?
Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer): Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.
DissectMac: People who want free inspection and optional paid app/leftover cleanup.
Features, pricing, and workflow
Scroll across to compare
| Feature | Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer) | DissectMac |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis. | People who want free inspection and optional paid app/leftover cleanup. |
| Visualization | Folder tree with ring/treemap graphical views | Treemap and search |
| Platforms and requirements | Linux (GNOME) | macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon builds) |
| Pricing and editions | Free software from GNOME; available through Flathub/distributions. | Map, search, and monitor are free; Pro is listed at $12.99 once plus tax. |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Native macOS UI | Linux application | Yes |
| Cleanup workflow | Inspect the selected location and use documented file actions or the system file manager. | Pro moves selected files and app leftovers to Trash after review. |
| Reports and portability | Keep 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 overview does not establish scan-report export. Preserve any app-removal decisions and rescan the same folders in NullDisk. |
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
DissectMac: what stands out
A good fit for people who want free inspection and optional paid app/leftover cleanup.
DissectMac: strengths
- Free map, file search, and live monitor
- Filters for developer files and large storage categories
- Pro uninstaller and app-leftover cleanup
Considerations
- In-app clearing and uninstallation require Pro
- Treemap is the documented graphical view
- Confirm suspected leftovers belong to apps you no longer need
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 DissectMac?
A good fit for people who want free inspection and optional paid app/leftover cleanup. Map, search, and monitor are free; Pro is listed at $12.99 once plus tax.
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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