# An Open Source WizTree Alternative: When to Use MangoDisk

> Looking for a free WizTree alternative? See when MangoDisk fits your disk analysis and file organization needs, with platform support and deletion explained.

**MangoDisk is a free WizTree alternative worth considering if you want an open source app that runs on different desktop systems.** It brings local disk analysis, large-file filtering and duplicate checks into one app, with no signup or login required. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Whether switching makes sense depends on your usual tasks. WizTree remains a useful choice for scanning an NTFS drive on Windows and locating its largest folders. MangoDisk is worth trying if access to the source code, use across operating systems or a combined file organization workflow matters more to you.

I'm the developer of MangoDisk. This guide covers the differences that matter for those everyday tasks.

![MangoDisk on macOS showing a cache folder's disk usage in a nested treemap alongside a folder list](https://assets.mangodisk.app/images/screenshots/en/light-05-disk-space-analysis-treemap-list-expanded.jpg)

This Mac screenshot shows the analysis of one cache folder. The nested treemap displays folders and their contents together, while the list keeps names and sizes easy to check. The figures show usage at the time of the screenshot, not a whole-drive scan or an amount you can safely delete.

## Consider how you use WizTree's NTFS scanning

One of WizTree's key features on Windows is its ability to read an NTFS drive's Master File Table, or MFT, directly. It uses the file system's existing records to find disk usage. This scanning method requires administrator rights; for non-NTFS drives or without those rights, it falls back to Windows API scanning. See the [official platform comparison](https://diskanalyzer.com/wiztreemac-vs-wiztree) for details.

If you regularly analyze whole NTFS drives and are comfortable with WizTree's results, it can keep doing that job. Before switching, identify the scanning, search and export features you actually use.

WizTree also offers file search, tools for locating duplicates and CSV import and export. It does more than draw a usage chart. Check its [official feature list](https://diskanalyzer.com/download), particularly if you process CSV exports in another tool. A replacement needs to fit that workflow too.

## Choose MangoDisk for open source access or use across systems

**Free to use and open source are separate considerations.** WizTree is free for personal use; use in a commercial environment requires the appropriate license. Its [official license terms](https://diskanalyzer.com/eula) explain the scope.

MangoDisk's source is available under [GPLv3](https://github.com/harry0703/MangoDisk/blob/v1.1.8/LICENSE), and the disk analysis and file organization features described here are free to use. You can inspect how scanning and deletion work, report issues or contribute improvements. If those details influence your choice of software, source access is a practical reason to consider it.

If you use Windows and a Mac, WizTree has an official macOS version called WizTreeMac. It uses native bulk directory enumeration rather than the Windows MFT scanning method. The [official comparison](https://diskanalyzer.com/wiztreemac-vs-wiztree) also explains the different permission requirements.

MangoDisk offers Windows, macOS and Linux desktop versions, so you can use the same app across several computers. Available cleanup items and permissions vary by operating system. Linux downloads include `.deb` packages and AppImages; check the [download guidance](/download) for distribution and desktop compatibility.

## Try a familiar Downloads folder

Suppose your Downloads folder contains installers, photos and several copies of a video. It's a useful place to try MangoDisk: can you spot what takes space and check where each copy lives?

Select that folder in [Disk Space Analysis](/docs/features/disk-analysis) and look for the subfolders taking the most space. You can adjust the treemap's depth and use the list to check names and sizes. Open an item's location in your file manager when you need to see its surroundings.

If you suspect the same video or document was downloaded more than once, switch to [Duplicate File Cleanup](/docs/features/duplicate-files), select the relevant location and scan it separately. The tool groups files with identical content, letting you expand a group and check each copy's location.

![MangoDisk on Windows grouping duplicate videos, photos and documents in Downloads, with each copy's location expanded](https://assets.mangodisk.app/images/screenshots/windows/en/light-03-duplicate-cleanup.jpg)

This Windows screenshot shows several copies of a video alongside groups of photos and documents. A filename containing “Backup” or “Archive” doesn't mean that copy should go: it may be an intentional backup or a file referenced elsewhere. The selections and space estimates illustrate the interface, not a recommended selection or a cleanup result.

For large, outdated installers, [Large File Cleanup](/docs/features/large-files) may be a better starting point. Review results by type, size and location. For application caches, [Deep Cleanup](/docs/features/deep-clean) checks supported items; an entire large application folder isn't necessarily cache.

These checks are available in one app, but the analysis chart doesn't automatically pass results to the other tools or decide which files are unnecessary. Each feature needs its own scope and scan review.

**Deletion in MangoDisk's disk analysis, large-file and duplicate tools is permanent. Files don't go to the Recycle Bin or Trash.** Scanning and viewing results don't delete anything. Check the contents and back up important files before removing them; see the [cleanup safety guide](/docs/safety).

You can also move files you want to keep to another drive using your file manager. [Microsoft's storage guide](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/storage-filemanagement/free-up-drive-space-in-windows) describes moving personal files to external storage. If the space is mostly used by active projects or media you still need, additional storage may be more useful than repeated deletion.

## Match the choice to your usual tasks

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Your main need
    </th>
    
    <th>
      What to consider
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Regular analysis of local Windows NTFS drives
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Consider WizTree's MFT scanning method, required permissions and the way you search or process results
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      An analyzer with publicly available source code
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Try MangoDisk and review its implementation alongside the interface
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Use across Windows, Mac or Linux computers
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Consider MangoDisk; for Windows and Mac alone, the official WizTreeMac is also an option
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Large-file and duplicate checks in one app
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Try a familiar folder in MangoDisk and see whether the results help you review and retain files
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      An established CSV or other WizTree workflow
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Check each required capability before switching; the apps aren't equivalent in every feature
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Still comparing several tools? See the [free disk space analyzer comparison](/blog/free-disk-space-analyzers-windows). If you're coming from TreeSize, the [TreeSize alternative guide](/blog/treesize-alternative) covers a different set of selection questions.

You can [download MangoDisk from the official site](/) and start with a familiar folder. These file scans run locally and don't require AI. [GitHub](https://github.com/harry0703/MangoDisk) hosts the source code, release history and issue tracker.

Choosing between the two analyzers? See [WizTree vs WinDirStat](/blog/wiztree-vs-windirstat) for everyday file searches, duplicate checks and free-use limits.

For a comparison of free and paid features, read [TreeSize vs WizTree](/blog/treesize-vs-wiztree) for disk analysis, reports and the differences between free and paid use.