GNU shred
GNU shred: A configurable, open-source shredder for technical Linux and Windows users. Ranked #22 of 26 in Secure File Shredding Software by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for technical Linux users wanting command-line shredding.
At a glance
- Editor score6.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTechnical Linux users wanting command-line shredding
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Free-space shreddingNo
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Configurable passes, random-data sources, byte limits, and zero-filled final pass
- Can force permissions, show progress, and overwrite file slack space by default
- Free, open source, and available on Linux and Windows
Where it doesn't
- No folder, free-space, or scheduled shredding
- Command-line only, with no standalone graphical interface
- Effectiveness varies across journaled, copy-on-write, RAID, and snapshotting storage
Our verdict on GNU shred
GNU shred is a command-line utility included in GNU Coreutils. It overwrites files or devices with non-sensitive data, then can deallocate and remove them. Its intended audience is technical users who want direct control over local file or device shredding on Linux or Windows, rather than a graphical workflow. The utility is free and open source, making it suited to users comfortable working from a terminal and managing permissions themselves.
Its main strength is control over the overwrite process. Users can set the number of overwrite passes, choose a random-data source, limit processing to a specified byte count, and add a final zero-filled pass. GNU shred can also overwrite file slack space by default, force permissions, and display progress. These options make it useful for targeted file or device operations where command-line precision matters more than guided workflows or broader data-management features.
The product has a narrow scope. It does not provide folder shredding, free-space shredding, or scheduled shredding, so users needing those workflows should choose a tool designed around broader disk-cleanup tasks. Its effectiveness also depends on how the filesystem and storage hardware perform in-place overwrites; journaled, copy-on-write, compressed, RAID-based, snapshotting, and other storage systems can limit the result. Choose GNU shred for configurable local command-line overwriting, but look elsewhere for a graphical interface, automation, or coverage beyond individual files and devices.
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GNU shred pricing
GNU shred fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Free-space shredding | No |
| Folder shredding | No |
| Scheduled shredding | No |
| Shredding standards | Custom |
| Windows support | Yes |
| macOS support | Not verified |
| Linux support | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | gnu.org |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to GNU shred
- D-Secure File EraserA broad enterprise erasure toolkit with automation, APIs, certificates, and endpoint integrations.9.3
- BitRaser File EraserManaged, cross-platform erasure with scheduled wiping and signed reports.9.1
- SysTools File ShredderBroad desktop shredding for buyers who need file, drive, and free-space wiping.8.8
See all GNU shred alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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