Which fits your needs?
Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer): Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.
diCleaner: Mac users seeking free storage analysis alongside broader maintenance tools.
Features, pricing, and workflow
Scroll across to compare
| Feature | Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer) | diCleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis. | Mac users seeking free storage analysis alongside broader maintenance tools. |
| Visualization | Folder tree with ring/treemap graphical views | Storage overview, file categories, and maintenance lists |
| Platforms and requirements | Linux (GNOME) | macOS 11.5+ |
| Pricing and editions | Free software from GNOME; available through Flathub/distributions. | Vendor says free to use with all current features included. |
| 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. | No automatic deletion after scanning; most tools use Trash by default. Secure Remove and Trash emptying are permanent. |
| 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 cited pages do not establish scan-report export. Keep any important history or paths before rescanning; retain the original files until decisions are verified. |
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
diCleaner: what stands out
A good fit for Mac users seeking free storage analysis alongside broader maintenance tools.
diCleaner: strengths
- Storage analysis, large/old files, and duplicate/similar-photo tools
- App uninstallation, leftovers, and startup-item review
- Selection-based cleanup with Trash defaults for most tools
Considerations
- Permanent removal and privacy tools have different effects from Trash
- App Store privacy disclosure lists some non-linked data
- Cleanup eligibility depends on files, apps, and permissions
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 diCleaner?
A good fit for Mac users seeking free storage analysis alongside broader maintenance tools. Vendor says free to use with all current features included.
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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