Czkawka
github.com
What it is
Czkawka is a free tool for locating duplicate and unnecessary files, empty folders, similar images, and related items. Its tools can find duplicate and empty files, temporary and large files, similar videos, and duplicate music. Scans can target user-selected directories and files, with matches determined by file name, size, full-file hash, or a combination of size and name. Features include file preview, automatic selection, folder exclusions, and moving items to the Recycle Bin or Trash. The project provides graphical and command-line frontends, an Android frontend, a reusable core library, and Python bindings. It says the software uses multithreading and caching to help scans and later rescans, and that it has no internet access and collects no user information or statistics. Czkawka is listed for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. GTK 12.0 is the final release for that frontend, and no more GTK binaries are planned. Krokiet prebuilt binaries have no mandatory runtime dependencies, although its similar-videos tool requires ffmpeg at runtime.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- Czkawka finds duplicate files, empty folders, similar media and other unnecessary or damaged files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Purpose
- Czkawka finds duplicates, empty folders, similar images, and other unnecessary files.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Platforms
- The project lists Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD, and Android among supported platforms; the Czkawka GTK frontend is superseded by Krokiet.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Integrations
- The reusable czkawka_core library is used by the project’s frontends, and Python bindings are available.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Privacy
- The application makes no network connections and contains no telemetry, update checks or analytics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
- Support
- The maintainer invites users to create issues for bugs and pull requests for fixes; GTK-specific issues and feature requests are generally to be closed.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- License
- Czkawka core, CLI and GTK GUI are MIT licensed; Krokiet and Cedinia binaries are distributed under GPL-3.0-only because of their Slint dependency, while project artwork uses CC BY 4.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
- Android status
- Cedinia is described by its developer as an experimental Android app with missing features and no defined minimum Android version.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Caching
- Scan metadata is cached so later scans can be substantially faster.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Cleanup tools
- Additional tools identify empty files, empty folders, temporary files, large files, broken files, invalid symbolic links, bad extensions, unwanted names and Exif metadata.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Command line
- A CLI frontend supports automation and scripting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Documentation
- The repository provides separate guides for Krokiet, CLI, core internals and the legacy GTK GUI, plus an FAQ derived from hundreds of issue reports.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
- Downloads
- The Czkawka GTK 12.0 release is the last, and the project says no new binaries will be provided for that frontend.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Duplicate detection
- Duplicate mode can compare files by name, size, partial hash or full hash.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Frontends
- The project provides GUI and CLI frontends, a core library, and an Android frontend.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- GTK status
- Version 12.0 was declared the final Czkawka GTK release; new development is concentrated in Krokiet.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Implementation
- The project is written in Rust and is almost entirely free of unsafe code.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Independent description
- To Be Free characterizes Czkawka as offline, ad-free, no-tracking and requiring no sign-up.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tobefree.app
- Independent download facts
- TechSpot lists Windows, macOS and Linux downloads, a 4.9 MB file size and a freeware license.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techspot.com
- Languages
- The project supports multiple translations, including English, Polish and Italian.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Latest release
- Release 12.0.2 was published on September 9, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Limit: complexity
- Cisdem describes the many options as potentially unsuitable for users seeking a simple deduplication tool.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cisdem.com
- Limit: deletion safety
- To Be Free warns that careless selection rules can delete legitimate originals and recommends previewing results and using the recycle bin.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tobefree.app
- Limit: installation
- A Cisdem review says installation is straightforward on Windows but difficult for average Mac users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cisdem.com
- Limit: interface
- Independent reviewers criticize the dark interface, small text and lack of a light mode.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cisdem.com
- Linux requirements
- Prebuilt Linux binaries require Ubuntu 22.04 or newer with glibc 2.35 or newer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
- macOS requirements
- Krokiet binaries are supplied for both Intel x86_64 and Apple Silicon ARM64 Macs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
- Maintainer identity
- The GitHub account identifies the maintainer as Rafał Mikrut and lists Poland as his location.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Music matching
- Same Music compares tracks using tags or audio content.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Official sources
- The maintainer says the project has no official website and identifies the repository, prebuilt-binaries project, crates.io projects, and Flathub as directly maintained sources.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Optional dependencies
- FFmpeg enables similar-video scans, while libheif, libavif and libraw add optional image-format support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
- Performance
- Its maintainers attribute fast scans to multithreading and efficient algorithms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Praise: openness
- AlternativeTo users repeatedly praise the open-source model, cross-platform support and regular updates.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
- Praise: speed
- An AlternativeTo reviewer reported scanning 15,000 files on a 150 GB disk in 13 minutes, faster than a competing finder that ran overnight.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
- Python bindings
- The project README links Python bindings published on PyPI.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Rating on AlternativeTo
- 3.9 out of 5 from 21 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
- Requirements
- Krokiet prebuilt binaries have no mandatory runtime dependencies, but its similar videos tool requires ffmpeg at runtime.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Reusable core
- The czkawka_core Rust crate exposes common functionality for reuse by other applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Similar images
- The image tool detects visually similar pictures, including resized or watermarked versions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Similar videos
- The video tool compares video frames and requires FFmpeg to be installed separately.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
- Supported systems
- Official binaries target Windows, macOS and Linux, with Android provided through the experimental Cedinia frontend.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Tools
- Its tools include finding duplicate and empty files, temporary files, large files, similar videos, and music duplicates.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Video optimization
- The project includes a tool that crops static portions and converts videos to more efficient formats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Windows requirements
- Windows 10 or newer is the minimum supported Windows version.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
Plans and prices
Free Free all listed tools · no ads · offline use · no telemetry Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Finds duplicates, empty folders, and large files.
- Supports several matching methods.
- Offers GUI, CLI, Android, and Python bindings.
- Project says it collects no user information.
- Includes previews and folder exclusions.
Limits
- No further GTK binaries are planned.
- Similar-videos tool requires ffmpeg at runtime.
- Krokiet binaries are noted separately from GTK.
Who it suits
Czkawka suits people who want to find duplicates and other unnecessary files across selected folders, using either a graphical or command-line frontend. It may also suit developers seeking a reusable core library or Python bindings.
Czkawka in depth
Read the full write-up
Overview
Czkawka is a free utility for finding duplicate and otherwise unnecessary files, with graphical, command-line and Android frontends. It suits people who want several kinds of file-cleanup search without paying; the choice of frontend matters, since the GTK release line has ended and Krokiet needs ffmpeg for similar-video searches.
Scans target directories and files you choose, rather than an automatic whole-device sweep. The project says it has no internet access and collects no user information or statistics, a useful fit for privacy-conscious cleanup. Its tools extend beyond exact duplicates to empty files and folders, temporary and large files, similar images and videos, and duplicate music.
Key features
Flexible duplicate searches
Duplicate-file matching can use names, sizes, full-file hashes, or size combined with name. That range lets users choose different ways to surface candidates, while preview and automatic selection can make reviewing results less laborious. Folder exclusions help narrow a scan, and selected items can be sent to the Recycle Bin or Trash rather than removed irreversibly.
More than duplicate files
Separate tools cover similar images, similar videos, duplicate music, empty files, empty folders, temporary files and large files. This breadth makes Czkawka useful as a general-purpose cleanup utility, not just a duplicate finder. The project says multithreading, efficient algorithms and caching can improve scanning, with caching intended to help subsequent scans; it gives no benchmark on which to base a speed expectation.
Frontends and maintenance
The project offers GUI and CLI frontends, an Android frontend, and a reusable czkawka_core library; Python bindings are also available. The project says the Czkawka GTK 12.0 release is the last and that it will provide no further binaries for GTK. Maintainer support is issue-based: users are invited to report bugs and submit fixes, while GTK-specific issues and feature requests are generally closed.
Krokiet prebuilt binaries have no mandatory runtime dependencies, but its similar-video tool needs ffmpeg. The repository identifies itself, the prebuilt-binaries project, crates.io projects and Flathub as directly maintained sources, and says it has no official website. The repository code is MIT-licensed; Krokiet and Cedinia are GPL-3.0-only.
Pricing
Czkawka is free to use, with no ads. The Free plan costs nothing, and there is no free trial because the software is already free. No paid tier or usage quota is described, so there is no upgrade path to weigh against its broad feature set.
Platforms
Czkawka is cross-platform, with coverage for Android, Linux, macOS and Windows. The project provides several frontend forms, but GTK's final release is 12.0 and no new GTK binaries will follow. Krokiet is another option for desktop use; its prebuilt binaries have no mandatory runtime dependencies, except that similar-video searches require ffmpeg at runtime.
Who it's for
Czkawka is a strong fit for users who want to scan selected locations for several kinds of clutter, compare duplicates using more than one matching method, and review candidates before sending them to the system trash. Its CLI and library also make it relevant beyond users who prefer a graphical app. It is less suitable for anyone relying on continued GTK binaries or expecting similar-video searches in Krokiet to work without installing ffmpeg.
Pros and cons
Pros
Broad cleanup coverage: it searches for duplicate, empty, temporary and large files, empty folders, similar images and videos, and duplicate music.
Useful safeguards and controls: preview, automatic selection, folder exclusions and Recycle Bin or Trash handling give users ways to review and limit cleanup.
Free and privacy-focused: there are no ads or paid tiers, and the project says the software has no internet access and collects no user information or statistics.
Multiple ways to use or extend it: GUI and CLI frontends, Android, a reusable core library and Python bindings serve different workflows.
Cons
GTK has reached its endpoint: version 12.0 is the final release, and no new GTK binaries will be provided.
Krokiet's video search has an extra requirement: similar-video scans need ffmpeg at runtime even though its prebuilt binaries have no other mandatory runtime dependencies.
Alternatives
For other ways to compare duplicate-finding tools, see Duplicate File Finders. dupeGuru is another free option for Windows, macOS and Linux if you want a cross-platform duplicate-file finder. Choose Duplicate Cleaner if you want its Windows-only freemium model, including a free basic tier for personal and home use that excludes commercial use; a trial is also offered.
Duplicate Files Fixer is worth considering if you prefer a paid option on Android, macOS or Windows: its free version scans unlimited files but removes up to 15 duplicates at once, then one at a time, while its paid plan is €35.95 a year. If you want a free command-line utility on Linux, macOS or Windows, fclones is an alternative. Anti-Twin is another free option, described as freeware for private use since 2003.
Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro is a paid alternative with a free trial, for Android, iOS, macOS or Windows; its Windows plan is $39.95 a year. Choose jdupes if you want MIT-licensed software focused on exact duplicate matching, on Linux, macOS or Windows. Space Wizard is another freemium option for Linux, macOS and Windows.
Verdict
Czkawka is an easy recommendation for users who want a free, privacy-focused file-cleanup tool with a wide range of searches and controls for reviewing results. Its mix of frontends and matching methods is its clearest advantage. Look elsewhere if you need an ongoing GTK binary release, or choose a different workflow if installing ffmpeg for Krokiet's similar-video search is unwelcome.
Verdict
Czkawka combines a broad set of file-finding tools with multiple frontends and selection controls. Before choosing a frontend, note that GTK binaries will not continue and that similar-video searches in Krokiet require ffmpeg.
Where Specifiction places it
- Duplicate File Finders#1 of 388.9
