Feature comparison

Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer) vs Disk Inventory X

GNOME’s disk usage analyzer for local devices, folders, and online accounts. A classic treemap with separate Apple Silicon revival and Swift rewrite projects. See how their platforms, views, and cleanup workflows fit the way you work.

Mixed / TreemapOpen source / Open source

Which fits your needs?

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

Disk Inventory X: Users interested in the classic treemap or its community successors.

Features, pricing, and workflow

Scroll across to compare

FeatureBaobab (Disk Usage Analyzer)Disk Inventory X
Best fitLinux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.Users interested in the classic treemap or its community successors.
VisualizationFolder tree with ring/treemap graphical viewsTreemap; features depend on X, Xs, or Y
Platforms and requirementsLinux (GNOME)Original X 1.3: macOS 10.13–10.15; Xs/Y requirements differ
Pricing and editionsFree software from GNOME; available through Flathub/distributions.Original X is free under the GPL; Xs and Y are independent community projects.
Open sourceYesYes
Native macOS UILinux applicationYes
Cleanup workflowInspect the selected location and use documented file actions or the system file manager.Check the selected project’s manual; X, Xs, and Y do not share a guaranteed cleanup contract.
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.Check export support in the exact X, Xs, or Y build. Retain its scan records separately; no direct import into NullDisk is documented.

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 →

Disk Inventory X: what stands out

A good fit for users interested in the classic treemap or its community successors.

Disk Inventory X: strengths

  • Treemap visualization of disk usage
  • Xs updates the original codebase for Apple Silicon
  • Y is a separate Swift/SwiftUI rewrite

Considerations

  • The original X, revival Xs, and rewrite Y are different apps
  • Compatibility and features depend on the chosen build
  • Check each project’s current release and signing instructions

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 Disk Inventory X?

A good fit for users interested in the classic treemap or its community successors. Original X is free under the GPL; Xs and Y are independent community projects.

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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