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Disk Census vs DissectMac

From a map of your disk to a cleanup that knows your tools.

DissectMac draws your disk as a map for free and clears what you pick with Pro. Disk Census says what each item is and whether it rebuilds itself, and covers more developer tools plus AI coding agents.

Checked · Sources

In short

  • DissectMac is a free disk map with a paid Pro tier for clearing. Disk Census tags each item Safe, Review or Keep, and covers developer and AI agent files.
  • DissectMac names Xcode builds, Docker’s disk image and node_modules. Disk Census covers more toolchains and AI coding agents, and keeps Docker’s disk image off the list.
  • DissectMac sends everything to the Trash first. Disk Census deletes permanently, after you approve the exact items and each is checked again.
  • Both run on macOS 12 or later. DissectMac also finds local AI models, which Disk Census doesn’t cover yet.

Only in Disk Census

What Disk Census does that DissectMac doesn’t, going by DissectMac’s own pages.

  • It says what’s safe to clear

    Every item is tagged Safe, Review or Keep, with what regenerates it.

  • A Keep tier

    Docker’s disk image, the Go module cache and simulator devices are shown with their size and never offered.

  • AI coding agents’ leftovers

    Old versions, caches and logs of Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and others, with their history kept. DissectMac’s site covers local models, not coding agents.

  • 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.

Side by side

Each DissectMac fact links to where it was read. “Not stated” means DissectMac’s site doesn’t say either way.

Disk Census and DissectMac, side by side. Checked 9 October 2026.
Disk CensusDissectMac
Seeing where space went
PartlyEach folder is drawn as a bar of its largest items. There is no treemap.
YesA free map of the drive: every folder is a block sized by the space it uses.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.
PartlyNames Xcode’s DerivedData, Docker’s disk image and node_modules.Source
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 covers local AI models, not coding agents.
Local AI models
NoLocal AI models (Ollama, LM Studio, Hugging Face) aren't covered yet.
YesFinds models from Ollama, LM Studio and the Hugging Face cache.Source
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.
Where deleted items go
Deleted permanently, never to the Trash, and only after a person approves the exact items. Every confirmation says so.
Everything goes to the Trash first.Source
App removal
YesRemoves apps with their data. Shared and loosely matched items start unticked, and a running app is asked to quit, never forced.
YesAn uninstaller that removes leftovers, and finds files from apps already deleted (Pro).Source
What leaves the Mac
Files and scan results never leave the Mac. No analytics and no crash uploads.
Scans stay on the Mac. Crash reports go through Sentry, with folder names redacted on the Mac first.Source
Requirements
macOS 12 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel. Mac only.
macOS 12 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel.Source

Price

Disk Census’s price is live. DissectMac’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.

DissectMac

$12.99

A one-time Pro license for clearing files, with no subscription. The map, search and live monitor are free. Pro sales are final, with a fix or a refund if Pro doesn’t work.

Checked · Source

Launch prices, by copies sold

  1. $3.99Save 60%First 100 copiesNow
  2. $4.99Save 50%Next 150 copies
  3. $6.99Save 30%Next 250 copies
  4. $10Regular priceAfter the launch

Checkout by Stripe. Sold through Link, which sends your receipt. Prices in US dollars, tax included. Refund policy

When DissectMac is the better pick

  • You want a free map of your disk: DissectMac’s map, search and live monitor cost nothing.
  • You want cleanups to go to the Trash first: DissectMac moves everything there.
  • You want to clear local AI models from Ollama, LM Studio or Hugging Face, which Disk Census doesn’t cover yet.
  • You want live CPU, memory and battery stats beside your storage.

Questions

Is Disk Census a good DissectMac alternative?

If you clean a developer’s Mac, yes: it tags every item Safe, Review or Keep and covers more toolchains and AI coding agents. If you mainly want a free map, or the Trash as a safety net, DissectMac fits better.

Does Disk Census clean local AI models like DissectMac does?

Not yet. Disk Census cleans AI coding agents’ old versions, caches and logs, but doesn’t cover local models from Ollama, LM Studio or Hugging Face. DissectMac finds those.

Does Disk Census use the Trash like DissectMac?

No. Disk Census deletes permanently, after you approve the exact items, and every confirmation says so. It checks each item again against a fresh scan first, and writes an audit on the Mac.

Do DissectMac or Disk Census send data off the Mac?

Disk Census sends no analytics and no crash reports; files and scan results stay on the Mac. DissectMac keeps scans on the Mac and sends crash reports through Sentry, with folder names redacted first.

Sources

Every fact about DissectMac was read on its own pages on . Spot something out of date? Write to support@diskcensus.com.

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

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macOS 12 or later · Intel and Apple silicon