Baobab as a Linux alternative to TreeSize Free
Updated
Our verdict
Baobab is a solid Linux alternative for most TreeSize Free users. It scans local and mounted filesystems, shows folder sizes in a tree view and a treemap, and lets you drill down for details. It lacks a built‑in command‑line interface and native export formats, so power users who need scripting or CSV output will have to rely on work‑arounds. For everyday desktop users who just want a quick visual overview of disk usage, Baobab works well.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 50.0
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Scans local filesystems and mounted volumes
- Displays folder sizes in a hierarchical view
- Shows free vs. used space
- Allows exclusion of directories from scans
- Provides a clickable list for detailed file information
What is different
- Baobab lacks a dedicated command‑line mode; TreeSize Free can be invoked from the terminal
- TreeSize Free can export results directly to CSV or text; Baobab only offers copy‑to‑clipboard of the list
- TreeSize Free includes built‑in sorting and filtering options; Baobab relies on manual navigation
- Baobab shows a treemap visualisation, which TreeSize Free does not provide
Opening your TreeSize Free files
Baobab does not understand TreeSize Free's native export files. If you have a CSV or text report from TreeSize Free you can open it in any spreadsheet or text editor, but Baobab cannot import that data for further analysis. You would need to recreate the scan in Baobab.
Switching from TreeSize Free to Baobab, step by step
- Install Baobab from your distro's repository (e.g., sudo apt install baobab).
- Run Baobab and select the filesystem or folder you want to analyse.
- Use the "Exclude" option to skip directories you don't need.
- If you need a scriptable output, run a command‑line tool like du and pipe the result to a file.
- Copy the resulting list from Baobab if you need a quick report.
Key features of Baobab
- Treemap visualisation of disk usage
- Scan local and remote filesystems
- Shows free space and used space in a single view
- Provides a detailed file list on click
- Supports scanning of mounted volumes
- Can exclude directories from scans
- Displays file types and sizes
How to install Baobab on Linux
sudo apt install baobabsudo apt install baobabsudo dnf install baobabsudo pacman -S baobabsudo zypper install baobabFrequently asked questions
Can I run Baobab from the terminal for automated scans?
Baobab is primarily a GUI tool; it does not provide a native CLI. Use standard utilities like du or ncdu for scripting.
How do I export Baobab results to a file?
Baobab lets you copy the detailed file list to the clipboard; you can paste it into a text file. For structured exports, use du or other command‑line tools.
Does Baobab support remote network shares?
Yes, you can scan any mounted remote filesystem (NFS, SMB, etc.) as long as it appears in the file manager.
4 other alternatives to TreeSize Free
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