fdupes is a free, open-source Linux utility for finding duplicate files in directories you choose. It can scan subdirectories and, if enabled, follow symbolic links. Matching can use file size and MD5 signatures, with byte-by-byte comparison available to confirm matches. A quick summary mode skips that slower confirmation, while an optional database cache stores file signatures to speed comparisons. You can narrow results with minimum or maximum file sizes, exclude hidden or empty files, match permissions, and sort by time, change time, or name. When removing duplicates, interactive deletion asks which copies to preserve; no-prompt modes can delete duplicates automatically. The project warns that deleting files while following symbolic links, or specifying the same directory more than once, can cause data loss. The project recommends installing through your operating system’s package manager when available, or downloading a release and compiling it. A full-featured build requires ncursesw and PCRE2. Without ncurses, the screen-mode selection interface is disabled. fdupes works on directories supplied on the command line and has no documented third-party service integrations.
Who it is for
fdupes suits Linux users who want to find and manage duplicate files in chosen directories, including their subdirectories. It is also suitable for users who want control over matching, filtering, sorting, and whether deletion requires confirmation.
What is good
- Scans chosen directories recursively.
- Can optionally follow symbolic links.
- Offers size, MD5, and byte-by-byte matching.
- Filters by size, hidden status, emptiness, and permissions.
- Interactive deletion lets users choose which copies to keep.
What to know first
- Available for Linux only.
- A full-featured build requires ncursesw and PCRE2.
- Automatic deletion can cause data loss in documented cases.
Verdict
Choose fdupes if you want a free Linux command-line utility with configurable duplicate matching and interactive deletion. Review its symlink and repeated-directory warning before using deletion.
Get started with fdupes
- Open the fdupes project website.
- Install fdupes through your operating system’s package manager when available.
- Alternatively, download a release and compile it.
- For a full-featured build, provide ncursesw and PCRE2.
- Run fdupes against the directories you want to scan.
What the free plan stops at
The software is free under a license permitting use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale of copies. A full-featured build requires ncursesw and PCRE2; without ncurses, screen-mode selection is disabled.
Questions about fdupes
How much does fdupes cost?
The listed plan is Free at no cost. The software is provided under an open-source license.
Is there a free trial?
No free trial is listed; fdupes is free software.
Which platforms does it support?
The listed platform is Linux.
How does fdupes identify duplicates?
It can match by file size and MD5 signature, with byte-by-byte comparison available. A quick summary mode skips the slower byte-by-byte confirmation.
How can I install it?
The project recommends using your operating system’s package manager when available, or downloading a release and compiling it.
Does it connect to other services?
No third-party service integrations are documented. It runs against directories supplied on the command line.
fdupes plans and pricing
All plansCompared on duplicate file finders
- Scan locations
- specified directories; subdirectories; symlinked directories
- Match methods
- file size; MD5 signature; byte-by-byte comparison
- Automatic selection
- Yes
