Best disk space analyzer for Mac: 6 tools compared

What a disk space analyzer does

A disk space analyzer scans your drive and shows how much space each folder and file uses. Storage settings stops at categories such as Documents and System Data. An analyzer opens those categories, so you see the one folder that holds 40 GB.

Most analyzers show your disk in one of three ways:

Analyzers find, cleaners clear

Most analyzers only show you the problem. You delete files yourself in Finder. A cleaner removes files for you, which is faster but needs more trust. A tool that does both, with a review step, saves the most time.

The 6 best disk space analyzers for Mac

1. Storage settings (built in)

Open System Settings, then General, then Storage. It gives you categories and recommendations at no cost. It doesn’t show individual folders, so use it as a starting point.

2. DaisyDisk (paid)

DaisyDisk draws your disk as a sunburst of rings. You click through folders and drag items to a collector before you delete them. Reviewers find it fast and easy to read. Check its page for the current price.

3. GrandPerspective (free or low-cost)

GrandPerspective draws a treemap, where each block’s size matches a file’s size. It is open source, and people often recommend it as the closest free match to DaisyDisk. The price depends on where you download it, so check before you buy.

4. Disk Inventory X (free)

Disk Inventory X is a free treemap tool that colors blocks by file type, so you see at a glance whether video, disk images or archives dominate. Development has slowed, so confirm it works on your macOS version first.

5. OmniDiskSweeper (free)

OmniDiskSweeper skips the pictures and gives you a sorted list, from the biggest files and folders down. It suits people who want an answer, not a visualization.

6. MyMacStorage ($14.99 once)

MyMacStorage is a native Mac storage cleaner and disk space analyzer. One scan maps your whole drive, hidden folders included, and its Space tool lists your biggest files and folders first. Then you can clear what you don’t need, with everything going to the Trash and Undo ready.

All six tools compared

How to read your results and decide what to delete

Whatever tool you use, follow this order. It keeps risk low and the gains high.

1. Start with your biggest folders. The top three usually hold most of the space.
2. Open your home folder first. Downloads, Movies and Documents hold files you can judge yourself.
3. Check ~/Library next. Caches, app support files and old iPhone backups often fill it.
4. Leave system folders alone. Never delete from /System or the top-level /Library.
5. Move, don’t erase. Use the Trash, and empty it only when you’re sure.

Common space hogs

Old video exports, disk images (.dmg files), iPhone backups, virtual machines, game libraries and Xcode data take the most space. Our guide on how to find large files on a Mac goes deeper.

Analyze disk space for free with Terminal

If you’re comfortable with Terminal, you don’t need any extra software to see your largest folders.

1. Open Terminal and type cd, followed by a space.
2. Drag the folder you want to check into the window, then press Return.
3. Run du -sh * | sort -h | tail -10.

Terminal lists the 10 largest items in that folder. Repeat the steps inside the biggest one to drill down. If you see “Operation not permitted”, turn on Full Disk Access for Terminal in System Settings, under Privacy & Security.

Which analyzer should you pick?

• You want a pretty map. Choose DaisyDisk or GrandPerspective.
• You want a plain list. Choose OmniDiskSweeper.
• You want it free and don’t mind an older tool. Choose Disk Inventory X.
• You want to find and clear in one place. Choose MyMacStorage.

Not sure whether you need a cleaner too? Read how to choose the best Mac cleaner app, or see how it compares in our CleanMyMac alternatives guide.