jdupes is a free utility for finding and handling duplicate files on Linux, macOS and Windows. It looks for exact matches—files that are 100% identical—not similar images, sounds or other formats. Matching can use file size, hashes and full byte-for-byte comparison, with optional partial-hash matching. After hashing, the program checks matching file data to reduce the risk of false matches from hash collisions. When duplicates are found, jdupes can prompt before deleting them, delete without prompting, link duplicates, summarize results or perform copy-on-write deduplication. Linux and Unix instructions use command-line directory paths, and a native Windows version supports Windows-specific behavior, including Unicode. The project documents Docker use and piping standard output to shell scripts for processing match sets. A hash database can keep paths, hashes and other metadata for repeat scans, but the feature is marked as under development and has quirks. The project reports that jdupes was over seven times faster than fdupes 1.51 on average in tests across various data sets. It is distributed under the MIT License.
Who it is for
It suits people who want to locate and manage exact duplicate files using a command line, including on Linux, macOS or Windows. It is not designed to find files that are merely similar.
What is good
- Runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Offers deletion, linking and copy-on-write deduplication.
- Checks matching file data after hashing.
- Docker usage and shell-script output are documented.
- Distributed under the MIT License.
What to know first
- Does not match similar images, sounds or formats.
- Quick matching skips byte-by-byte verification and can misclassify files.
- Hash database feature is under development and has quirks.
- No file preview, Trash option or folder exclusions.
Verdict
jdupes offers several ways to identify and handle exact duplicate files across desktop platforms. Take care with quick matching, which skips byte-by-byte verification, and note that the repeat-scan hash database remains under development.
Get started with jdupes
- Open the jdupes website and review the project instructions.
- Choose a supported system: Linux, macOS, or Windows.
- Run jdupes from a command line with one or more directory paths.
- Optionally use the documented Docker command to scan a mounted directory.
Questions about jdupes
Is jdupes free?
Yes. The listed plan costs 0.00 USD per free, and the project distributes jdupes under the MIT License.
Which platforms does it support?
Linux, macOS, and Windows. The project provides a native Windows port.
Does it find similar files?
No. It identifies files that are 100% identical and does not provide similarity matching for images, sounds, or other formats.
What can it do with duplicates?
It can prompt before deletion, delete without prompting, link duplicates, summarize results, and perform copy-on-write deduplication.
Can I use it with Docker or scripts?
Yes. The README documents a Docker command for scanning a mounted directory and piping standard output to shell scripts.
Is the repeat-scan database a finished feature?
The hash database stores paths, hashes, and other metadata to speed repeat runs, but the project labels it under development and notes quirks.
jdupes plans and pricing
All plansCompared on duplicate file finders
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform coverage
- cross-platform
- Scan locations
- Local directory paths, recursive subdirectories, and optionally symlinked paths
- Match methods
- File size, hashes, and full byte-for-byte comparison; optional partial-hash matching
- File preview
- No
- Automatic selection
- Yes
- Recycle Bin / Trash
- No
- Folder exclusions
- No
