Diskzy vs ncdu: an honest comparison
ncdu is a disk usage analyzer with a text-mode interface that runs in a terminal. Its page says it was designed to find space hogs on a remote server and is also useful on desktop systems. It is open source under the MIT license, aims to run on any POSIX-like system, and is available for macOS through Homebrew, MacPorts and Fink. Recent versions add optional parallel scanning and export of scan results.
Diskzy is a native Mac app with a window, not a terminal tool, and it is specific to macOS. As well as showing what is using the disk, it explains System Data part by part, suggests what to clean with a reason for each item, and uninstalls apps with their leftovers. It is closed source and paid, and it does not work over SSH or on other systems.
| Diskzy | ncdu | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for 72 hours with everything unlocked, then $9 once for 2 Macs. No subscription. | Open source under the MIT license. |
| Interface | A native Mac app. | Text-mode interface in a terminal. |
| Where it runs | macOS 15 Sequoia or later, Apple silicon and Intel. | Any POSIX-like system. On macOS it is installed through Homebrew, MacPorts or Fink. Its page says it was designed with remote servers in mind. |
| How it shows the disk | Maps the whole disk, with search by name, kind, size or age. | A browser for navigating directories by size. |
| System Data | Breaks System Data into named parts, each sized and marked Safe to clear, Look first or Managed by macOS. | Not stated. ncdu is not specific to macOS. |
| Cleanup suggestions | Clean up tab lists caches, logs, Xcode leftovers, project build folders, package-manager caches and old installers, each ticked or unticked with a reason. | Not stated |
| App uninstaller | Yes, with leftovers. | Not stated |
| Export and scripting | No. | Yes. Scan results can be exported in JSON or a binary format. |
| Staying current after the first scan | Stays current as files change. | Not stated |
| Where deleted files go | The Trash. Nothing is gone until you empty it. | Not stated |
When ncdu is the better choice
Choose ncdu if you live in the terminal, need to look at a remote server or a non-Mac system, want an open source tool, or want to export a scan to a file.
When Diskzy is the better choice
Choose Diskzy if you want a Mac app that knows what macOS folders are, explains System Data, tells you what is safe to clear and why, and sends removals to the Trash.
Details about ncdu were checked on October 10, 2026 against dev.yorhel.nl. Prices and features change; check their site for the latest.
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See where your Mac's space went
Diskzy maps your disk, explains System Data and clears what's safe. Free for 72 hours, then $9 once for 2 Macs.
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