FilelightLinux
vs
WinDirStatWindows
Filelight as a Linux alternative to WinDirStat
Updated
Our verdict
Filelight is a solid replacement for WinDirStat on Linux. It offers the same core functions—visual treemap (via concentric rings), directory navigation, file‑extension statistics, full‑partition scanning, and quick deletion of large files. It works natively on Linux, is actively maintained, and integrates with popular file managers. It’s ideal for users who need a native Linux tool with a clean interface and direct file operations, especially those already using KDE or other file managers.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 26.04.3 (July 2, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both display disk usage visually and allow navigation through a directory tree
- Both support scanning entire partitions or chosen folders
- Both provide statistics grouped by file extension
- Both let users delete or move files directly from the interface
What is different
- Filelight uses concentric rings instead of a treemap, which some users may find less familiar
- WinDirStat shows a classic treemap with color coding by file type; Filelight’s ring view groups by folder size
- Filelight integrates with Dolphin, Konqueror, and Krusader; WinDirStat is a standalone Windows app
- Filelight’s statistics are shown on hover; WinDirStat displays a detailed list panel
- Filelight lacks a built‑in file‑extension color legend that WinDirStat provides
Opening your WinDirStat files
WinDirStat produces .wds files that are specific to its own format and cannot be opened directly by Filelight. Filelight does not import WinDirStat data. To migrate, you would need to re‑scan the same directories in Filelight rather than importing the existing report.
Switching from WinDirStat to Filelight, step by step
- 1. Install Filelight from your distribution’s package manager or Flathub
- 2. Open Filelight and choose the partition or folder you want to analyze
- 3. Let Filelight scan; the concentric rings will appear
- 4. Use the interface to delete or move large files as needed
Key features of Filelight
- Scan local, remote, and removable disks
- Concentric ring visualisation of folder sizes
- Direct deletion of files/folders from the diagram
- Integration with Dolphin, Konqueror, Krusader
- Configurable colour schemes
- Detailed file/folder information on hover
- Supports multiple languages
- Open source under GPL-2.0+
How to install Filelight on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.filelightsudo apt install filelightsudo apt install filelightsudo dnf install filelightsudo pacman -S filelightsudo zypper install filelightFrequently asked questions
Can I use Filelight to delete files I find large?
Yes, click on a ring or folder in the diagram and choose delete from the context menu or the toolbar.
Does Filelight show file‑extension statistics?
It shows sizes per folder; you can view detailed file information on hover, but it does not provide a separate extension‑by‑extension list like WinDirStat.
Is Filelight fast on large drives?
Filelight’s scanning speed is comparable to WinDirStat; it reads the file system directly and is efficient on modern Linux filesystems.