Drive Atlas vs WinDirStat

Drive Atlas catalogs drives so users can search for files even when the drive containing them is unplugged. Search by file name, project, or date range, then see which drive holds a file and where that drive is located. A treemap shows drive contents, including offline drives. The app can find files that exist in only one place, verify backup copies by hashing both sides, and check duplicate groups byte for byte before moving selected copies to the Recycle Bin. Drive health tools benchmark drives over time and can list unique files on a failing drive for evacuation. It also analyzes numbered image sequences for timelapse interval and steadiness, and creates printable QR labels with drive summaries. The maker says the app makes zero network connections and does not interpret image content or use AI. Drive Atlas runs on Windows and Linux. The free plan covers the first two drives and includes all features, with no card or timer; the one-time license is 20.00 USD for all drives.

WinDirStat is a free, open-source disk usage analyzer and cleanup assistant for Microsoft Windows. It scans drives, folders, network shares, and MTP devices, then shows results in a file tree, extension list, treemap, flame graph, or sunburst. Users can compare logical and physical sizes, search by name, size, type, or owner, and compare file content hashes to locate duplicates. Scan snapshots can be saved and reopened; reports can be exported as CSV or JSON, and scans can be automated. The software includes cleanup tools and attempts to recover deleted files from local NTFS, exFAT, and FAT drives. Storage Analytics estimates monthly savings for configurable storage tiers from file sizes and modification ages, but does not move files or configure a storage service. Permission entries can be scanned and exported, though reports do not determine an individual user’s effective access through all group memberships. Downloads include Windows x64, x86, and ARM64 installers, portable archives, and a Microsoft Store package. The project lists support for Windows 7 through 11 and Windows Server 2008 R2 through 2025; other versions are unsupported.