Head-to-head · Duplicate File Finders
Duplicate Cleaner vs CloneSpy
Duplicate Cleaner leads on 0 checks, CloneSpy on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreDuplicate Cleaner · 7.1/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Duplicate Cleaner
- Most featuresDuplicate Cleaner · 4 of 4
Duplicate Cleaner scores higher on our rubric for duplicate file finders: 7.1 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #15 and #18.
Duplicate Cleaner is the better fit for windows users needing advanced duplicate matching. CloneSpy is the better fit for free Windows users needing link management.
- Duplicate Cleaner fits best
Windows users needing advanced duplicate matching
- CloneSpy fits best
Free Windows users needing link management
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Side by side
| Feature | Duplicate Cleaner 7.1/10 Visit ↗ | CloneSpy 6.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.1 | 6.8 |
| Ranking | #15 in Duplicate File Finders | #18 in Duplicate File Finders |
| Best for | Windows users needing advanced duplicate matching | Free Windows users needing link management |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 7 days | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Support | Tickets, Community | |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo |
| Features Duplicate Cleaner 4/4 · CloneSpy 2/4 | ||
| File preview | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Automatic selection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recycle Bin / Trash | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Folder exclusions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Platform coverage | Windows | Windows |
| Scan locations | Selected local folders and drives, network paths (including UNC paths), and ZIP archives | Selected local folders and files; checksum files made from DVDs or hard drives can be used for comparisons. |
| Match methods | File content; file attributes (name, date, size); visual image similarity; audio tags and audio-data similarity | Binary content comparison; file name, title or extension; same name or title with similar size; zero-byte status. |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Duplicate Cleaner is Windows software for finding and removing duplicate files and folders across local drives, network paths, portable devices, and supported archive formats. It suits users who need more than filename or size comparisons,… Read the review → |
CloneSpy is a free Windows utility for locating duplicate and zero-length files across local folders and hard drives, DVDs, network drives, and checksum files. It suits Windows users who want detailed control over how duplicates are… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Duplicate Cleaner — where it wins
- Matches files by hashes, byte comparison, metadata, and content
- Handles local, network, portable, and archive locations
- Supports assisted selection plus move, copy, rename, delete, and link actions
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only platform coverage
- Advanced similar-media and archive matching require Pro
- Free edition is limited to basic duplicate-file finding
CloneSpy — where it wins
- Compares identical contents regardless of filename, date, time, or location
- Supports DVDs, network drives, checksum files, and local storage
- Replaces redundant files with shortcuts or NTFS hard links
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only platform coverage
- Published version 3.43 dates to 2019
- Less focused on media-oriented duplicate management
- Duplicate Cleaner7.1/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial
A Windows duplicate finder with unusually deep matching for files, media, folders, and archives.
Visit DuplicateFull verdict → - CloneSpy6.8/10 · Free plan
A capable free duplicate finder with strong link and checksum options for Windows.
Visit CloneSpyFull verdict →
All duplicate file finders comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update