Freedom251 › Disk Space Analyzers
OwlDisk
What OwlDisk is
OwlDisk is a free, open-source disk space analyzer for macOS. It scans files and folders and displays storage use in an interactive sunburst chart covering three directory levels; clicking sections drills into deeper folders. The app uses 64 concurrent goroutines, and its site says a full 500 GB disk can be scanned in seconds. Reported sizes match macOS Finder and About This Mac, including purgeable space. You can drag files or folders to a trash zone to free space, or reveal a selected file in Finder. OwlDisk runs entirely on the Mac, with no data leaving the computer. It is a native app without Electron or web views, and its universal binary supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. macOS 11 or later is required. Full Disk Access is recommended for accurate scans. The MIT-licensed project distributes its latest DMG through GitHub Releases.
Who it suits
OwlDisk suits Mac users who want a local, open-source view of disk usage and an in-app way to move items to trash. It requires macOS 11 or newer.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Interactive three-level sunburst chart
- Reports Finder-matching sizes
- Runs locally without sending data
- Supports Apple Silicon and Intel
What to know first
- macOS 11 or later required
- Full Disk Access recommended for accuracy
- No treemap view
- Mac-only application
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | free and open source · macOS 11+ | Free |
As owldisk.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
OwlDisk focuses on visual disk analysis with local processing and direct cleanup through its trash zone. Its macOS requirement and permission recommendation are the main setup considerations.
Facts from OwlDisk's own pages
- Architecture
- The site describes OwlDisk as a native macOS app with no Electron or web views. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Cleanup
- Users can drag files and folders to a trash zone to free space from within the app. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The project README says to download the latest DMG from its GitHub Releases page. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- File navigation
- Users can reveal a file in Finder from the app. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · owldisk.com, 23 Sept 2026
- License
- OwlDisk is released under the MIT License. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Minimum system
- OwlDisk requires macOS 11 or later. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Permission requirement
- Full Disk Access is recommended for accurate scan results, and the app warns when permissions limit accuracy. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop platforms
- macos · owldisk.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- The app runs entirely on the user's machine, and the site says no data leaves the computer. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Processor support
- The universal binary supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OwlDisk is an open-source disk space analyzer for macOS that shows where storage is being used. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Scanning
- It uses 64 concurrent goroutines to scan disks, and the site says it can scan a full 500 GB disk in seconds. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Scan scope
- files_folders · owldisk.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Size accuracy
- It reports sizes matching macOS Finder and About This Mac, including purgeable space. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Treemap view
- No · owldisk.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Visualization
- An interactive sunburst chart shows three levels of directory depth and lets users drill down by clicking. · owldisk.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where OwlDisk stands on Freedom251
- Disk Space Analyzers#71 of 105