Feature comparison

Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer) vs NullDisk

GNOME’s disk usage analyzer for local devices, folders, and online accounts. Native Mac disk maps with SSH/cloud sources, development cleanup, and a separate CLI. See how their platforms, views, and cleanup workflows fit the way you work.

Mixed / MixedOpen source / Free

Which fits your needs?

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

NullDisk: Mac users managing local/remote storage, and developers who need Git-aware cleanup or scriptable disk reports.

Features, pricing, and workflow

Scroll across to compare

FeatureBaobab (Disk Usage Analyzer)NullDisk
Best fitLinux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.Mac users managing local/remote storage, and developers who need Git-aware cleanup or scriptable disk reports.
VisualizationFolder tree with ring/treemap graphical viewsRadial map, treemap, and file list; CLI terminal treemap
Platforms and requirementsLinux (GNOME)Mac app: macOS 14+; CLI: macOS, Linux, Windows
Pricing and editionsFree software from GNOME; available through Flathub/distributions.Direct Mac edition free with reminders; optional $9.99 one-time personal license or team seat removes reminders. App Store terms are separate.
Open sourceYesNo
Native macOS UILinux applicationYes
Cleanup workflowInspect the selected location and use documented file actions or the system file manager.Review source and action: local Trash, explicit permanent removal, or backup/delete; remote and cloud actions depend on the destination.
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.CLI produces JSON/NDJSON scan reports. Third-party scan files are not directly imported into the Mac GUI.

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 →

NullDisk: what stands out

A good fit for Mac users managing local/remote storage, and developers who need Git-aware cleanup or scriptable disk reports.

NullDisk: strengths

  • Radial and treemap views with local, SSH, and cloud sources
  • Git-aware development cleanup for generated output and eligible worktrees
  • Native Mac UI plus terminal UI and JSON/NDJSON CLI reports

Considerations

  • Desktop GUI requires macOS 14+; Linux/Windows use the separate CLI
  • Mac app sends anonymous usage telemetry; no in-app opt-out at this review
  • No content-based duplicate finder; allocated bytes are not a guaranteed recovery total

NullDisk features →

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 NullDisk?

A good fit for Mac users managing local/remote storage, and developers who need Git-aware cleanup or scriptable disk reports. Direct Mac edition free with reminders; optional $9.99 one-time personal license or team seat removes reminders. App Store terms are separate.

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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