Sift review
A focused Mac scanner with visual maps, duplicate finding, and undoable Trash actions.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Sift is a macOS desktop disk-space analyzer for solo users and small teams who want a visual way to understand storage use. It scans a Mac volume and presents disk usage through a three-ring sunburst map, helping users locate large and old files, duplicates, caches, backups, developer data, and other categories. Scanning and browsing are available indefinitely at no cost, while the app requires macOS 14 or later and is distributed through the Mac App Store.
The free plan is useful for investigation: it includes whole-volume storage scanning, browsing, storage categorization, file previews, and discovery of large and old files. Pro Yearly costs $19.99 per year and adds moving selected files to the Trash, a byte-for-byte duplicate finder, smart cleanup categories, menu bar free-space monitoring, and Family Sharing. Moving files to Trash instead of deleting them outright, together with undo support, gives cleanup a more reversible workflow. The menu bar monitor is also a practical addition for users who want ongoing awareness of available space.
Sift keeps its focus narrow and approachable, but its platform fit is limited to macOS and desktop use. The published feature set does not include a treemap view, integrations, or verified exports, which may matter for users who need reporting, automation, or broader ecosystem connections. Privacy descriptions are not fully consistent: one states that the app makes no network calls, while another reports unlinked diagnostic data. Choose Sift if you want straightforward visual scanning and local cleanup tools on a modern Mac; choose an alternative if you need cross-platform support, treemap reporting, integrations, or clearer privacy documentation.
Sift pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Whole-volume scanning with a three-ring sunburst storage map
- Finds large, old, duplicate, and categorized system data files
- Previews files and supports undoable moves to Trash
- Where it doesn't
- Requires macOS 14 or later
- No treemap view, verified exports, or integrations
- Cleanup features require the annual Pro subscription
Sift fact sheet, pricing and score →
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