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QDirStat

github.com

Free plan macOSLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit github.com
Spec score 8.5 #14 of 105 in Disk Space Analyzers

What it is

QDirStat is free graphical software for examining disk usage and cleaning selected files. It displays directory and file sizes in a tree and colored treemap, with views for file types, size histograms, file ages, and free, used, and reserved space on mounted filesystems. Users can select multiple items and run configurable cleanup actions, including moving items to the trash or deleting them. On Linux systems using dpkg, rpm, or pacman, the Packages view lists installed packages and their files; an Unpackaged Files view highlights system files outside those packages. QDirStat targets Linux, BSD, and Unix-like systems on X11 desktops. Third parties provide macOS binaries and Homebrew distribution. There is no native Windows version, although Docker is suggested for non-Linux systems. A Perl script collects headless-server directory data into a cache for desktop viewing; cleanup then occurs on the desktop. Cache files may reveal directory contents and should be protected. QDirStat is GPL V2 software.

Spec sheet

Purpose
QDirStat is a graphical application for seeing where disk space is used and helping clean it up.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The project describes cache files as useful for remote servers and for large directories that change infrequently, including archives.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Desktop platforms
Linux,BSD,Unix-like systems; macOSRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Founded
2015Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Analysis
Additional views include disk usage by file type, file size histograms, file age statistics, and free, used, and reserved space per mounted filesystem.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Application sizes
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Cleanup
Users can select multiple items and run configurable cleanup actions, including moving items to the trash or deleting them.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
File-type breakdown
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
License and dependencies
QDirStat is GPL V2 software and is described as Qt-based without KDE libraries or infrastructure.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux and Unix support
The project lists Linux, BSD, and Unix-like systems as target platforms and says it runs on X11-based desktops.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
macOS support
The project links to third-party macOS binaries and Homebrew distribution; macOS-specific support is directed to the binary distributor’s issue tracker.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Package integration
The Packages view supports Linux distributions using dpkg, rpm, or pacman and shows installed packages and their files.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Scan scope
files_folders_appsRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Security consideration
The project warns that cache files may expose directory contents and should be protected as confidentially as the original server directories.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Server workflow
A supplied Perl script can collect directory data on a headless server into a cache file that can be copied to a desktop and viewed in QDirStat.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Server workflow limit
When viewing server cache data, built-in cleanup operations run on the desktop machine rather than the server.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
System inspection
Its Unpackaged Files view helps find files in system directories that do not belong to installed software packages.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Treemap view
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Views
It shows directory and file sizes in a tree view and a colored treemap.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Windows limitation
There is no native Windows version and the project says there are currently no plans for one; it points to Docker as an option for non-Linux systems.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

QDirStat Free Free Open Source Software · GPL V2 Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every QDirStat plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Tree and treemap disk-usage views
  • Configurable multi-item cleanup actions
  • Package and unpackaged-file views
  • Headless-server cache workflow
  • Free GPL V2 software

Limits

  • No native Windows version
  • macOS builds come from third parties
  • Cached cleanup runs on the desktop
  • Cache files may expose directory contents

Who it suits

QDirStat suits Linux, BSD, Unix-like, and macOS users who need visual disk-usage analysis and cleanup. It also supports inspecting remote servers through copied cache files.

Verdict

QDirStat combines visual disk analysis with configurable cleanup and package inspection. Its strongest fit is Unix-like desktop use, with Docker or cache workflows needed outside that setup.

Where Specifiction places it

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