ncdu
ncdu: A free, open-source terminal analyzer built for interactive storage work over SSH. Ranked #59 of 104 in Disk Space Analyzers by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for remote terminal analysis over SSH.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forRemote terminal analysis over SSH
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Desktop platformsLinux, macOS
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Interactive browsing with sorting, filtering, and relative graphs
- Remote scanning over SSH for servers without graphical environments
- Exports scan data as JSON or compressed binary files
Where it doesn't
- No verified treemap view or file-type breakdown
- Windows support is provided through an external binary
- Terminal interface may not suit users seeking visual reports
Our verdict on ncdu
ncdu is a terminal-based disk usage analyzer for people who need to inspect storage from a command line. It scans directories and files, then presents the results in an interactive text-mode browser. The product is suited to remote servers without graphical environments, while also supporting Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its workflow centers on finding space-consuming files and directories, reviewing their relative share of storage, and taking action directly within the interface.
The published project details show a free, open-source product distributed under the MIT license. Its platform fit is strongest for terminal-oriented environments: Linux and macOS support is documented through binaries, packages, or ports, while Windows support is listed through an external binary. SSH scanning extends the same analysis approach to remote systems. Users can control scan scope with exclusion patterns and filesystem controls, show or hide hidden files and excluded entries, and sort results by filename, size, item count, or modification time.
ncdu also keeps the workflow focused after scanning. Built-in deletion lets users remove files or directories from the browser, while JSON import and export plus compressed binary export support saving scan results for later viewing. The trade-off is a narrow, text-first presentation: the listed capabilities do not include treemap views, application-size views, or file-type breakdowns. Choose ncdu when remote terminal access, interactive navigation, and lightweight open-source tooling matter most. Choose another analyzer if visual storage maps or category-based reporting are central requirements.
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ncdu pricing
ncdu fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Desktop platforms | Linux, macOS |
| Treemap view | No |
| Application sizes | No |
| File-type breakdown | No |
| External drive scans | Yes |
| Exportable reports | Yes |
| Scan scope | Files_folders |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS |
| Support | Docs, Email |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | dev.yorhel.nl |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to ncdu
- TreeSizeA broad Windows analyzer with strong free features and tiered automation tools.9.3
- WinDirStatA classic Windows analyzer with treemaps, file breakdowns, duplicate detection, and CSV export.9.1
- FilelightA free, open-source disk analyzer with strong KDE integrations and ring-based visuals.9.0
Also Ranked In
ncdu is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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