FreeBSD gpart review
A capable, open-source partition-table utility for advanced FreeBSD administration.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
FreeBSD gpart is an open-source command-line utility for managing GEOM providers, normally disks, within the FreeBSD operating system. It is intended for system administrators and technically advanced users who need direct control over partition tables and boot-related configuration. The utility can create, inspect, modify, resize, delete, and destroy partitions, while also displaying layouts and metadata. It supports partitioning schemes including GPT, MBR, BSD, and APM, and recognizes filesystem types such as UFS, UFS2, ZFS, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, HFS, HFS+, and APFS.
There is no license charge for gpart, and its open-source model fits administrators who prefer an operating-system utility over a standalone desktop application. Its scope covers both routine partition management and recovery-oriented work: users can back up and restore partition tables, recover damaged or relocated GPT metadata, install bootstrap and bootcode files, and set or clear attributes such as boot flags. Pending partition changes can be committed or undone, which gives advanced operators a way to manage changes before finalizing them.
The main boundary is workflow and platform focus. gpart does not provide verified operations for moving or merging partitions, so it is less suitable for users seeking a visual disk-resizing tool or broad partition-layout rearrangement. It is included with FreeBSD and uses a command-line interface, making it a stronger fit for FreeBSD administrators comfortable with system-level utilities than for casual desktop users or teams seeking a cross-platform graphical product. Choose it for native partition-table control, metadata recovery, backups, and bootcode management; choose an alternative when partition movement, merging, or a desktop interface is central.
FreeBSD gpart pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports GPT, MBR, BSD, APM, and other partitioning schemes
- Backs up, restores, and recovers partition-table metadata
- Supports pending-change commits and undo operations
- Where it doesn't
- Does not provide verified partition move operations
- Does not provide verified partition merge operations
- Designed for FreeBSD rather than cross-platform desktop use
FreeBSD gpart fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update