Which fits your needs?
Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer): Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis.
Delve: Apple Silicon users on macOS 26+ who want two maps and staged cleanup.
Features, pricing, and workflow
Scroll across to compare
| Feature | Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer) | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Linux desktop users who prefer a GNOME application with graphical disk analysis. | Apple Silicon users on macOS 26+ who want two maps and staged cleanup. |
| Visualization | Folder tree with ring/treemap graphical views | Treemap, sunburst, and file list |
| Platforms and requirements | Linux (GNOME) | macOS 26+, Apple Silicon |
| Pricing and editions | Free software from GNOME; available through Flathub/distributions. | Vendor lists $4.99 once after a 14-day trial. |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Native macOS UI | Linux application | Yes |
| Cleanup workflow | Inspect the selected location and use documented file actions or the system file manager. | Stage items in the Collector, then send the reviewed batch to Trash. |
| Reports and portability | Keep 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. | The developer documents exporting maps as posters with Command-Shift-E. Keep that image as a reference; it is not a scan file that NullDisk can import. |
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
Delve: what stands out
A good fit for Apple Silicon users on macOS 26+ who want two maps and staged cleanup.
Delve: strengths
- Treemap, sunburst, and file list
- Logical and on-disk measurement with filtering
- Quick Look, collector-to-Trash, and map image export
Considerations
- Requires macOS 26 or later
- Apple Silicon only in the current requirements
- A map export is a visual record, not a file backup
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 Delve?
A good fit for Apple Silicon users on macOS 26+ who want two maps and staged cleanup. Vendor lists $4.99 once after a 14-day trial.
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.