dust

dust is a terminal tool for tracing disk usage through files and folders, best suited to people who want more structure than a plain du listing. Its tree view and filters make it useful for finding large items; readers who need a graphical map or application-size reports should choose another tool.

Overview

dust arranges large files and subdirectories in a hierarchy and uses colored bars to show disk usage. Seeing size alongside folder depth helps connect a large total to the directories contributing to it. The trade-off is a focused command-line presentation: it has no treemap view and does not show application sizes.

Key features

Regular-expression filters can include or exclude matching files, and a minimum-size threshold can keep smaller items out of the results. These controls make a broad scan more manageable when you already know what kinds of names or sizes matter. Output options can show files or directories alone, group results by file type, and change size units. Grouping can reveal which file categories occupy space, while exportable reports let users preserve results beyond the immediate view.

A screen-reader option removes bars and symbols and adds a depth-level column. That gives the hierarchy a text-based structure for readers who cannot rely on the visual bars. dust is released under the Apache-2.0 license, and the project provides GitHub Issues and Discussions for support.

Pricing

dust is free: its sole plan costs nothing and includes the command-line disk-usage tool under the Apache-2.0 license. There is no paid tier to unlock its core scan and filtering features, making it a straightforward choice for individuals and teams comfortable using a terminal. Its cost advantage does not make it a fit for users who need a graphical treemap or application-size reporting.

Platforms

dust supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Installation routes include Cargo, Homebrew, DNF, Snap, mise, Pacstall, conda-forge, deb-get, x-cmd, and Scoop, with downloadable release packages also provided for all three operating systems and architecture-specific builds. Snap users should note that this package can access only files under /home; choose another installation route if scans need to reach other locations. The v1.2.6 release page displays SHA-256 checksums for its downloadable assets.

Who it's for

dust suits terminal users who want to locate large files and directories, narrow scans by name or size, or compare usage by file type. Its screen-reader option broadens access to the hierarchy. It is a weaker fit for users who prefer a graphical disk map or need to see application sizes.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Tree output ties large usage totals to their folder structure, which helps narrow down where space is going.
• Pros: Include and exclude filters, minimum-size thresholds, and file-type grouping give users several ways to focus a scan.
• Pros: Free use, three desktop platforms, exportable reports, and a screen-reader mode make the tool useful across varied workflows.
• Cons: No treemap or application-size view limits its usefulness for readers who want a graphical overview or to inspect installed software.
• Cons: The Snap package is restricted to /home, which can prevent scans of other parts of a system.
• Cons: Its command-line interface favors users already comfortable working in a terminal.

Alternatives

For more options in this category, browse Disk Space Analyzers. The other linked products cover configuration management and IT asset or network administration rather than disk-usage analysis, so they are not direct substitutes for dust.

• BlueKing CMDB is a free-plan option with one-click deployment and automated operations.
• CMDBuild is a free, self-hosted option for readers who need a data model, workflows, reports, and dashboards.
• iTop offers a free Community plan with on-premise availability.
• Ralph is a free, Apache 2.0 open-source option for asset management.
• teemIP has a free Community plan billed forever, with free download and installation.
• OpenIPAM is a free open-source option with browser-only or self-hosted backend use.
• GLPI offers a Public Cloud plan at €19 a month per IT agent, from one billed agent.
• Hornbill IT Asset Management uses personalized pricing tailored to requirements.

Verdict

Choose dust if you want a free, cross-platform command-line view that connects disk usage to folder structure and lets you filter results. Its focused toolkit is a good match for terminal users who need to find large files and directories without paying for a plan. Look elsewhere if you need a treemap, application-size reporting, or an interface outside the command line.