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Head-to-head · Duplicate File Finders

Glary Duplicate Cleaner vs Duplicate File Detective

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Glary Duplicate Cleaner #7 in Duplicate File Finders —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Glarysoft
Higher score Duplicate File Detective #8 in Duplicate File Finders 8.4/10 From $30 · 15-day trial ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit site

Glary Duplicate Cleaner leads on 1 check, Duplicate File Detective on 0, and 4 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 File Detective · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly Glary Duplicate Cleaner

Our editors rank Glary Duplicate Cleaner at #7 and Duplicate File Detective at #8 for duplicate file finders; Glary Duplicate Cleaner has no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.

Glary Duplicate Cleaner offers free plan; Duplicate File Detective doesn't.

Glary Duplicate Cleaner is the better fit for windows users wanting a simple free local scan. Duplicate File Detective is the better fit for windows users wanting reports and scheduling.

  • Glary Duplicate Cleaner fits best

    Windows users wanting a simple free local scan

  • Duplicate File Detective fits best

    Windows users wanting reports and scheduling

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Side by side

Feature Glary Duplicate Cleaner —/10 Visit ↗ Duplicate File Detective 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score — 8.4
Ranking #7 in Duplicate File Finders #8 in Duplicate File Finders
Best for Windows users wanting a simple free local scan Windows users wanting reports and scheduling
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published $30one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Features Glary Duplicate Cleaner 4/4 · Duplicate File Detective 4/4
File preview ✓ ✓
Automatic selection ✓ ✓
Recycle Bin / Trash ✓ ✓
Folder exclusions ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform coverage Windows Windows
Scan locations Local drives and folders local drives; network shares; NAS devices; removable storage; file server shares
Match methods File type, name, size, and date of creation file name; extension; file size; CRC32; MD5; SHA-1; SHA-256; SHA-512; byte-for-byte content; visual image comparison; document properties; audio tags
Our review
Pros
  • Scans selected local drives and folders using several matching criteria
  • Image previews and file details help review duplicate results
  • Check Intelligent, folder exclusions, and Recycle Bin removal aid cleanup
  • Matches files by checksums, bytes, visual appearance, properties, and audio tags
  • Scans local drives, network shares, NAS devices, removable storage, and file servers
  • Adds previews, SmartMark rules, scheduled reports, and duplicate management actions
Cons
  • Windows-only desktop utility
  • Matching uses file type, name, size, and creation date
  • Focused on local drives and folders rather than broader scan locations
  • Windows-only, with no support for other platforms
  • The Personal Edition excludes scheduling and other automation features
  • No free plan; paid access starts at a $30 one-time license
Our verdict

Glary Duplicate Cleaner is a free Windows desktop utility for finding and removing duplicate files on selected drives and folders. It is aimed at solo users and small teams who want a straightforward local scan across photos, music,…

Read the review →

Duplicate File Detective is Windows software for locating, reviewing, and managing duplicate files across local drives, removable storage, network shares, NAS devices, and file servers. It suits Windows users who need more than a basic…

Read the review →
  1. Glary Duplicate CleanerDuplicate File Finders —Free plan
  2. Duplicate File DetectiveDuplicate File Finders 8.4From $30 · 15-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Glary Duplicate Cleaner — where it wins

    • Scans selected local drives and folders using several matching criteria
    • Image previews and file details help review duplicate results
    • Check Intelligent, folder exclusions, and Recycle Bin removal aid cleanup

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only desktop utility
    • Matching uses file type, name, size, and creation date
    • Focused on local drives and folders rather than broader scan locations
  • Duplicate File Detective — where it wins

    • Matches files by checksums, bytes, visual appearance, properties, and audio tags
    • Scans local drives, network shares, NAS devices, removable storage, and file servers
    • Adds previews, SmartMark rules, scheduled reports, and duplicate management actions

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only, with no support for other platforms
    • The Personal Edition excludes scheduling and other automation features
    • No free plan; paid access starts at a $30 one-time license
  • Glary Duplicate Cleaner—/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows utility for local duplicate scans, previews, and assisted file selection.

    Visit GlarysoftFull verdict →
  • Duplicate File Detective8.4/10 · From $30 · 15-day trial

    A Windows duplicate finder with deep matching, previews, automation, and scheduled reporting.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026