Disk Census vs DiskBuddy
The same review-first idea, plus AI agents’ leftovers and a command line.
DiskBuddy and Disk Census both scan once and let you review before anything is removed. DiskBuddy sends everything to the Trash. Disk Census deletes permanently, names each developer tool, and gives scripts and AI agents the same engine.
Checked · Sources
In short
- Both scan once and let you review before anything goes. DiskBuddy moves items to the Trash; Disk Census deletes permanently, after you approve the exact items.
- Disk Census adds AI coding agents’ leftovers, a command line for scripts and agents, and named developer tools with Safe, Review and Keep tags.
- DiskBuddy adds Windows, comparing past scans folder by folder, compressing photos and videos, and a live system monitor.
- Disk Census covers 3 Macs at once. A DiskBuddy key works on one computer at a time, Mac or Windows.
Only in Disk Census
What Disk Census does that DiskBuddy doesn’t, going by DiskBuddy’s own pages.
AI coding agents’ leftovers
Old versions, caches and logs of Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and more, with their history kept. DiskBuddy’s site doesn’t mention AI tools.
A command line for scripts and agents
census ships inside the app, with JSON on every command, so scripts and AI agents see what the app sees.
Each developer tool, named and tagged
Xcode, Homebrew, npm, Cargo, Go, Python and more, each item tagged Safe, Review or Keep with what regenerates it.
3 Macs at once
One key is active on up to 3 Macs. DiskBuddy’s key works on one computer at a time.
Runs on macOS 12
Disk Census supports macOS 12 or later. DiskBuddy needs macOS 14.
Side by side
Each DiskBuddy fact links to where it was read. “Not stated” means DiskBuddy’s site doesn’t say either way.
| Disk Census | DiskBuddy | |
|---|---|---|
| Where deleted items go | Deleted permanently, never to the Trash, and only after a person approves the exact items. Every confirmation says so. | “Nothing is deleted. It all goes to the Trash.”Source |
| Developer caches and build output | YesCaches 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. | |
| AI coding agents’ leftovers | YesOld 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 siteIts site doesn’t mention AI tools. |
| Command line for scripts and agents | Yescensus ships inside the app, at the same version, with JSON on every command and stable exit codes. | Not stated on their siteIts site doesn’t mention a command line. |
| Comparing scans | PartlyShows how used space changed over the last hour, day, week and month. There is no folder-by-folder comparison of past scans. | |
| Duplicate files | YesSets of identical files by content, side by side. The last copy of a set can never be deleted. | |
| Widget | YesA widget shows used space and what is safe to clean, and a background monitor notifies when the startup disk drops under 10% free. | Not stated on their siteIts site doesn’t mention a widget. It has a live CPU, memory, ports and battery monitor. |
| Macs per license | One key covers the app and census on up to 3 Macs one person uses. | One computer at a time; one key covers Mac and Windows.Source |
| Privacy | Files and scan results never leave the Mac. No analytics and no crash uploads. | No account, no sync and no analytics. Only activation needs the internet.Source |
| Requirements | macOS 12 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel. Mac only. | macOS 14 and later, and Windows 10 and 11.Source |
Price
Disk Census’s price is live. DiskBuddy’s is as its site showed it on 9 October 2026.
Disk Census
Launch offerSave 60%
Regular price $10Launch price $3.99
One-time, for up to 3 Macs, with every future version. Limited seats, offer ends soon. Then it’s $4.99.
DiskBuddy
$19
One-time launch price, then $49. One key for Mac and Windows, on one computer at a time.
Checked · Source
Launch prices, by copies sold
- $3.99Save 60%First 100 copiesNow
- $4.99Save 50%Next 150 copies
- $6.99Save 30%Next 250 copies
- $10Regular priceAfter the launch
Checkout by Stripe. Sold through Link, which sends your receipt. Prices in US dollars, tax included. Refund policy
When DiskBuddy is the better pick
- You want an undo: DiskBuddy moves everything to the Trash, so nothing is gone until you empty it.
- You also use Windows: one DiskBuddy key covers Mac and Windows.
- You want to see which folders grew since a past scan: DiskBuddy compares snapshots folder by folder.
- You’d rather shrink photos and videos than delete them: DiskBuddy compresses media.
Questions
Is Disk Census a good DiskBuddy alternative?
If you’re a developer or use AI coding agents, yes: Disk Census names each tool, cleans agents’ leftovers while keeping their history, and has a command line. If you want the Trash as a safety net, or Windows too, DiskBuddy fits better.
Can I undo a deletion in Disk Census?
No. Disk Census deletes permanently and says so in every confirmation, so it asks you to approve the exact items first and checks each one again before deleting it. DiskBuddy moves everything to the Trash instead.
Does DiskBuddy have a command line?
Its site doesn’t mention one. Disk Census ships census inside the app, so scripts and AI agents get the same answers as the app, with JSON from every command.
Do DiskBuddy and Disk Census work on Windows?
DiskBuddy does, on Windows 10 and 11, with the same key. Disk Census is Mac only.
Sources
- DiskBuddy websitehttps://diskbuddy.com/
Every fact about DiskBuddy was read on its own pages on . Spot something out of date? Write to support@diskcensus.com.
DiskBuddy is a trademark of its owner. Disk Census isn’t affiliated with it.
Other comparisons
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- Disk Census vs PearcleanerAn uninstaller is one part of Disk Census
- Disk Census vs DevCleaner for XcodeXcode, and every other tool on the Mac
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