# Disk Census vs DevCleaner for Xcode

DevCleaner cleans what Xcode leaves in ~/Library/Developer. Disk Census covers Xcode too, along with Homebrew, package managers, build output and AI coding agents, in one scan of the whole disk.

Checked 9 October 2026. Canonical page: https://diskcensus.com/compare/devcleaner

## In short

- DevCleaner for Xcode is a free cleaner for Xcode’s caches. Disk Census covers Xcode plus Homebrew, npm, Cargo, Go, Python and more.
- Disk Census also cleans AI coding agents’ old versions, caches and logs, and finds large files and duplicates across the disk.
- Both have a command line for scripts. census prints JSON from every command, so AI agents can use it.
- Disk Census runs on macOS 12 or later. DevCleaner needs macOS 14 and is free on the App Store.

## Only in Disk Census

- **Every toolchain, not only Xcode:** Homebrew, npm, pnpm, Yarn, Bun, Cargo, Go, Gradle, CocoaPods, pip, uv, conda and more, with node_modules, target and .venv folders grouped by project.
- **AI coding agents’ leftovers:** Old versions, caches and logs of Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and others, with their history kept.
- **A Keep tier:** Items such as simulator devices, the Go module cache and Docker’s disk image are shown with their size and never offered.
- **The whole disk in one scan:** Large files, duplicates, apps and maintenance tasks, beside the developer caches.
- **Runs on macOS 12:** Disk Census supports macOS 12 or later. DevCleaner needs macOS 14.

## Side by side

| | Disk Census | DevCleaner for Xcode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Developer caches and build output | Yes: Caches and build output of Xcode, Homebrew, npm, pnpm, Yarn, Bun, Cargo, Go, Gradle, CocoaPods, Swift Package Manager, pip, uv, Poetry, conda and more, with node_modules, target and .venv folders grouped by project. | Partly: Xcode only: its caches in ~/Library/Developer, including device support, SwiftUI previews, the documentation cache and old logs. ([DevCleaner for Xcode on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1388020431)) |
| What stays | Yes: Keep items, such as the Go module cache, conda packages, simulator devices and Docker's disk image, are shown with their size and never offered. | Not stated on their site: Its App Store page doesn’t describe risk levels. |
| AI coding agents’ leftovers | Yes: Old versions, caches, temporary files and logs of Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Windsurf, Zed, Warp, Kiro, Antigravity, Goose and more. History, settings, credentials, plugins and skills are never offered. | Not stated on their site: Its App Store page doesn’t mention AI agents. |
| Command line for scripts and agents | Yes: census ships inside the app, at the same version, with JSON on every command and stable exit codes. | Yes: A command line tool for scripts, which can run headless over SSH or in CI. ([DevCleaner for Xcode on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1388020431)) |
| Checks before cleaning | Yes: Each item is checked again against a fresh scan before it goes, items in use are skipped, and every cleanup writes an audit on the Mac. | Yes: Lets you inspect the files before cleaning, with a Dry Mode. ([DevCleaner for Xcode on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1388020431)) |
| Where deleted items go | Deleted permanently, never to the Trash, and only after a person approves the exact items. Every confirmation says so. | Not stated on their site: Its App Store page doesn’t say whether cleaned files go to the Trash. |
| Requirements | macOS 12 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel. Mac only. | macOS 14 or later. ([DevCleaner for Xcode on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1388020431)) |

## Price

- Disk Census: **$3.99** ~~$10~~, one-time. Launch offer: Save 60%. Limited seats, offer ends soon. Then it’s $4.99. Up to 3 Macs.
- DevCleaner for Xcode: **Free**. Free on the App Store, with optional tips from $1.99 to $9.99 as in-app purchases. ([DevCleaner for Xcode on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1388020431), checked 9 October 2026)

Disk Census launch prices, by copies sold, in US dollars:

1. $3.99 · Save 60% · first 100 copies · now
2. $4.99 · Save 50% · next 150 copies · later
3. $6.99 · Save 30% · next 250 copies · later
4. $10 · regular price

## When DevCleaner for Xcode is the better pick

- You only use Xcode and want it free: DevCleaner is built for exactly that.
- You want it from the App Store, with tips if you choose to leave one.
- You want a reminder to scan again after a while: DevCleaner can remind you.

## Questions

### Is Disk Census a good DevCleaner alternative?

If you use more than Xcode, yes: Disk Census covers Xcode alongside Homebrew, package managers, build output and AI coding agents, and says what is safe to clear. If Xcode is all you need cleaned, DevCleaner does it for free.

### Does Disk Census clean Xcode’s caches?

Yes. Xcode is one of the toolchains it covers, with each item tagged Safe, Review or Keep and a note on what regenerates it. Simulator devices are Keep: shown with their size, never offered.

### Can DevCleaner and Disk Census run from a script?

Yes. DevCleaner includes a command line tool for scripts. census ships inside Disk Census with JSON on every command and stable exit codes, so AI agents can use it too.

## Sources

- [DevCleaner for Xcode on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1388020431)

Checked 9 October 2026. Spot something out of date? Write to support@diskcensus.com.

DevCleaner for Xcode is a trademark of its owner. Disk Census isn’t affiliated with it.