# Disk Census vs DiskBuddy

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

## 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

- **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

| | 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.” ([DiskBuddy website](https://diskbuddy.com/)) |
| 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. | Yes: A Developer files category; its site doesn’t name the tools. ([DiskBuddy website](https://diskbuddy.com/)) |
| 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 site doesn’t mention AI tools. |
| 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. | Not stated on their site: Its site doesn’t mention a command line. |
| Comparing scans | Partly: Shows how used space changed over the last hour, day, week and month. There is no folder-by-folder comparison of past scans. | Yes: Snapshots keep a past scan to compare with today’s, showing which folders grew. ([DiskBuddy website](https://diskbuddy.com/)) |
| Duplicate files | Yes: Sets of identical files by content, side by side. The last copy of a set can never be deleted. | Yes: Files that exist twice, matched byte for byte. ([DiskBuddy website](https://diskbuddy.com/)) |
| Widget | Yes: A 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 site: Its 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. ([DiskBuddy website](https://diskbuddy.com/)) |
| 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. ([DiskBuddy website](https://diskbuddy.com/)) |
| Requirements | macOS 12 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel. Mac only. | macOS 14 and later, and Windows 10 and 11. ([DiskBuddy website](https://diskbuddy.com/)) |

## 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.
- DiskBuddy: **$19**. One-time launch price, then $49. One key for Mac and Windows, on one computer at a time. ([DiskBuddy website](https://diskbuddy.com/), 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 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 website](https://diskbuddy.com/)

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 Spot something out of date?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

DiskBuddy is a trademark of its owner. Disk Census isn’t affiliated with it.