Which fits your needs?
Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer): Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.
GrandPerspective: People who want a free, inspectable treemap and reusable scan records.
Features, pricing, and workflow
Scroll across to compare
| Feature | Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer) | GrandPerspective |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis. | People who want a free, inspectable treemap and reusable scan records. |
| Visualization | Folder tree with ring/treemap graphical views | Treemap with configurable colors and filters |
| Platforms and requirements | Linux (GNOME) | macOS 14+ (current release) |
| Pricing and editions | Free software from GNOME; available through Flathub/distributions. | Free from SourceForge; the same app is $2.99 in the US App Store. |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Native macOS UI | Linux application | Yes |
| Cleanup workflow | Inspect the selected location and use documented file actions or the system file manager. | Delete files or folders from the view; review selection and deletion preferences. |
| 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. | Save the scan for reopening in GrandPerspective, or export text and images. NullDisk does not import GrandPerspective scan files; retain exports and rescan the same location. |
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
GrandPerspective: what stands out
A good fit for people who want a free, inspectable treemap and reusable scan records.
GrandPerspective: strengths
- Configurable colors, masks, searches, and scan exclusions
- Quick Look, Finder integration, and file/folder deletion
- Save/reload scans and export text or images
Considerations
- Treemap rather than radial navigation
- Older macOS versions require an older release
- App Store updates can follow SourceForge releases later
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 GrandPerspective?
A good fit for people who want a free, inspectable treemap and reusable scan records. Free from SourceForge; the same app is $2.99 in the US App Store.
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.