DaisyDisk alternative: DiskTree vs DaisyDisk
Short answer: if you want to explore your whole disk for free and only ever move files to the Trash, DiskTree is a DaisyDisk alternative for Apple silicon Macs. DaisyDisk costs less per Mac ($9.99 for up to five) and also runs on Intel Macs, so it’s the better pick if either of those matters most.
We make DiskTree. DaisyDisk facts below come from its developer’s own pages, checked on 28 October 2026.
DiskTree vs DaisyDisk at a glance
| DiskTree | DaisyDisk | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free to explore. $14.99 once to clean up from inside the app. | $9.99 once |
| Macs per licence | 2, used by the same person | Up to 5 personal Macs |
| Free version | Scan, explore, real names and details, reveal in Finder, build a review list. No time limit. | Trial scans, browses and previews; can’t delete, reveal hidden space or show files in Finder; shows purchase reminders |
| The map | Treemap: nested rectangles, coloured by kind of data | Sunburst: rings of segments |
| Removing files | Review a list, confirm, and items go to the macOS Trash | Deletes permanently, with 5 seconds to cancel |
| Hidden and purgeable space | Not shown as folders | Full version can reveal hidden space and purge purgeable space |
| Cloud storage scanning | Skips cloud-only folders rather than downloading them | Full version can scan several cloud storage services (not iCloud) |
| Runs on | Apple silicon, macOS 11 or later | Apple silicon and Intel; macOS 10.13 or later (direct version) |
| Where to buy | Direct, through Paddle | Direct, or the Mac App Store |
Where DaisyDisk is the better choice
- More Macs for less. $9.99 covers up to five personal Macs; DiskTree is $14.99 for two.
- Intel Macs. DaisyDisk supports Intel and Apple silicon. DiskTree 1.0 is Apple silicon only.
- Hidden, purgeable and cloud space. The full version reveals hidden space, purges purgeable space and can scan several cloud storage services.
- The App Store. If you prefer buying through the Mac App Store, DaisyDisk is there (Apple’s rules mean that edition has fewer features, according to DaisyDisk’s FAQ).
- Track record. It has been around for many years and has a large following.
Where DiskTree is different
- Free means you can actually use it. Explore your whole disk, see real names and sizes, reveal anything in Finder and build a review list for free, with no time limit or reminders. You pay only to move items to the Trash from inside the app.
- The Trash, not permanent deletion. DiskTree has no permanent-delete option. Everything goes through a review list and the macOS Trash, so you can drag it back until you empty the Trash.
- A treemap coloured by kind. Rectangles make it easy to compare sizes, and colours show what a folder is: code, toolchains, caches, git data, synced folders, media or documents. It recognises developer clutter such as
DerivedData,node_modulesand AI-agent worktrees. - Keyboard-first. Move between tiles with the arrow keys, open with Return, mark with Space, filter with /.
- Built on open source. DiskTree is based on the open-source tobi/disktree project (MIT), with its own Mac interface and cleanup review.
Which should you pick?
- You have an Intel Mac, or several Macs: DaisyDisk.
- You want to look around before paying anything, and like the safety of the Trash: DiskTree.
- You’re a developer whose disk fills with build caches, simulators and dependencies: try DiskTree’s colour-coding first; it’s free to explore.
You can try both: DaisyDisk’s trial scans and browses, and DiskTree’s free version scans, explores and reveals in Finder.
Questions
Is there a free DaisyDisk alternative?
Yes. DiskTree is free to scan and explore with no time limit; GrandPerspective and OmniDiskSweeper are completely free. See all Mac disk analyzers compared.
Does DaisyDisk move files to the Trash?
No. DaisyDisk’s guide says it permanently removes files and folders instead of moving them to the Trash, after a five-second window to cancel.
Can DiskTree reveal purgeable space like DaisyDisk?
No. DiskTree shows ordinary files and folders you can access. Purgeable space and snapshots aren’t shown as folders.