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Head-to-head · Duplicate File Finders

Duplicate Cleaner vs fclones

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Duplicate Cleaner #15 in Duplicate File Finders 7.1/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Duplicate
fclones #26 in Duplicate File Finders 6.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit fclones

Duplicate Cleaner leads on 0 checks, fclones 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 6.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #15 and #26.

On platform coverage, fclones gives you Cross-platform where Duplicate Cleaner offers Windows.

Duplicate Cleaner is the better fit for windows users needing advanced duplicate matching. fclones is the better fit for CLI-focused users and scripted deduplication.

  • Duplicate Cleaner fits best

    Windows users needing advanced duplicate matching

  • fclones fits best

    CLI-focused users and scripted deduplication

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Side by side

Feature Duplicate Cleaner 7.1/10 Visit ↗ fclones 6.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.1 6.0
Ranking #15 in Duplicate File Finders #26 in Duplicate File Finders
Best for Windows users needing advanced duplicate matching CLI-focused users and scripted deduplication
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Linux, macOS, Windows
Features Duplicate Cleaner 4/4 · fclones 3/4
File preview ✓ ✓
Automatic selection ✓ ✓
Recycle Bin / Trash ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Folder exclusions ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform coverage Windows Cross-platform
Scan locations Selected local folders and drives, network paths (including UNC paths), and ZIP archives Directory trees, multiple directory roots, standard-input file lists, and mounted or removable devices
Match methods File content; file attributes (name, date, size); visual image similarity; audio tags and audio-data similarity File size, inode/file identifiers, prefix hash, suffix hash, and full-content hash
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Scans directory trees, file lists, mounted devices, and removable media
  • Offers hash caching, dry runs, filters, and priority-based file selection
  • Removes, links, moves, or reflinks redundant files with structured reports
Cons
  • Windows-only platform coverage
  • Advanced similar-media and archive matching require Pro
  • Free edition is limited to basic duplicate-file finding
  • The command-line workflow is primarily suited to technical users
  • Windows and macOS have platform-specific limitations
  • Recycle Bin handling is not verified
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 →

fclones is a free, open-source command-line utility for finding identical files and managing redundant copies. It suits users who prefer scripted workflows, administrators working across directory trees, and anyone who needs more control…

Read the review →
  1. Duplicate CleanerDuplicate File Finders 7.1Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. fclonesDuplicate File Finders 6.0Free plan

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

  • fclones — where it wins

    • Scans directory trees, file lists, mounted devices, and removable media
    • Offers hash caching, dry runs, filters, and priority-based file selection
    • Removes, links, moves, or reflinks redundant files with structured reports

    Where it doesn't

    • The command-line workflow is primarily suited to technical users
    • Windows and macOS have platform-specific limitations
    • Recycle Bin handling is not verified
  • 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 →
  • fclones6.0/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source deduplication utility for scripted, cross-platform file scanning.

    Visit fclonesFull verdict →

All duplicate file finders comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update