Czkawka
Czkawka is a free file-finding tool for locating duplicates, empty folders, and other unnecessary files.
What Czkawka is
Czkawka is a free file-finding tool for locating duplicates, empty folders, and other unnecessary files. Its tools can identify duplicate and empty files, temporary and large files, similar videos, and duplicate music. Users can scan selected files and directories, matching by name, size, full-file hash, or a combination of size and name. The project provides graphical and command-line frontends, an Android frontend, and a reusable core library with Python bindings. It also supports previews, automatic selection, folder exclusions, and moving items to the Recycle Bin or Trash. The project says it uses multithreading and caching to speed up scans and later rescans, and that it has no internet access and collects no user information or statistics. Czkawka is listed for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. The GTK 12.0 release is the last for that frontend, with no further GTK binaries planned. Krokiet prebuilt binaries have no mandatory runtime dependencies, though its similar-videos tool requires ffmpeg.
Good
- Free to use with no ads.
- Matches files by name, size, or full-file hash.
- Supports previews and automatic selection.
- Project says it collects no user information or statistics.
Watch out
- GTK 12.0 is the last release for that frontend.
- Krokiet’s similar-videos tool requires ffmpeg.
- Project says it has no official website.
Who it suits
Czkawka suits people who want to inspect selected folders for duplicate, empty, or other unnecessary files. It offers both graphical and command-line frontends, plus an Android frontend.
Verdict
Czkawka covers several types of unwanted files and provides multiple ways to review and select scan results. Note that GTK binaries will not continue, and Krokiet’s video-similarity tool needs ffmpeg.
Plans and prices
From Czkawka's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | all listed tools · no ads · offline use · no telemetry |
The facts
Each one read from Czkawka's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Android status
- Cedinia is described by its developer as an experimental Android app with missing features and no defined minimum Android version.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Linux requirements
- Prebuilt Linux binaries require Ubuntu 22.04 or newer with glibc 2.35 or newer.checked 15 Oct 2026
- macOS requirements
- Krokiet binaries are supplied for both Intel x86_64 and Apple Silicon ARM64 Macs.checked 15 Oct 2026
What it does
- Caching
- Scan metadata is cached so later scans can be substantially faster.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Cleanup tools
- Additional tools identify empty files, empty folders, temporary files, large files, broken files, invalid symbolic links, bad extensions, unwanted names and Exif metadata.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Command line
- A CLI frontend supports automation and scripting.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The repository provides separate guides for Krokiet, CLI, core internals and the legacy GTK GUI, plus an FAQ derived from hundreds of issue reports.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The Czkawka GTK 12.0 release is the last, and the project says no new binaries will be provided for that frontend.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Duplicate detection
- Duplicate mode can compare files by name, size, partial hash or full hash.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Frontends
- The project provides GUI and CLI frontends, a core library, and an Android frontend.checked 29 Sep 2026
- GTK status
- Version 12.0 was declared the final Czkawka GTK release; new development is concentrated in Krokiet.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Implementation
- The project is written in Rust and is almost entirely free of unsafe code.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent description
- To Be Free characterizes Czkawka as offline, ad-free, no-tracking and requiring no sign-up.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent download facts
- TechSpot lists Windows, macOS and Linux downloads, a 4.9 MB file size and a freeware license.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The reusable czkawka_core library is used by the project’s frontends, and Python bindings are available.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Languages
- The project supports multiple translations, including English, Polish and Italian.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- Release 12.0.2 was published on September 9, 2026.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License
- Czkawka core, CLI and GTK GUI are MIT licensed; Krokiet and Cedinia binaries are distributed under GPL-3.0-only because of their Slint dependency, while project artwork uses CC BY 4.0.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: complexity
- Cisdem describes the many options as potentially unsuitable for users seeking a simple deduplication tool.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: deletion safety
- To Be Free warns that careless selection rules can delete legitimate originals and recommends previewing results and using the recycle bin.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: installation
- A Cisdem review says installation is straightforward on Windows but difficult for average Mac users.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: interface
- Independent reviewers criticize the dark interface, small text and lack of a light mode.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Maintainer identity
- The GitHub account identifies the maintainer as Rafał Mikrut and lists Poland as his location.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Music matching
- Same Music compares tracks using tags or audio content.checked 15 Oct 2026
The full review of Czkawka
Czkawka is a free file-cleanup utility for people who want to find duplicates and other unnecessary files across selected folders. It suits users who value several kinds of scans, configurable duplicate matching, and control over what gets removed.
Overview
Rather than limiting itself to duplicate files, Czkawka can search for empty files and folders, temporary and large files, similar images and videos, and duplicate music. You choose the directories or individual files to scan, which makes it useful for targeted cleanups but means it is not a one-click whole-device sweep.
It provides graphical and command-line frontends, an Android frontend, and a reusable core library; Python bindings are also available. The project says it has no official website and identifies its repository, prebuilt-binaries project, crates.io projects, and Flathub as directly maintained sources.
Key features
Flexible matching and cleanup
Duplicate-file scans can match by name, size, full-file hash, or a combination of size and name. That range lets users choose different ways to identify candidates, while separate searches cover similar images and videos and duplicate music. File previews and automatic selection help with reviewing results, and folder exclusions can keep known locations out of a scan. Sending selected items to the Recycle Bin or Trash offers a safer cleanup route than immediate permanent deletion.
Scan speed and privacy
The project says it uses multithreading and efficient algorithms, with caching to accelerate later scans. Those choices are promising for repeated work, but no benchmark or scan-time estimate is given. The project also says Czkawka has no internet access and collects neither user information nor statistics, a meaningful advantage for people who want local file management without telemetry.
Frontend caveats
The GTK 12.0 release is the final one for that frontend, and no further GTK binaries will be provided. Users choosing a prebuilt Krokiet binary avoid mandatory runtime dependencies, but the similar-videos tool needs ffmpeg at runtime. The maintainer invites bug reports and pull requests, while GTK-specific issues and feature requests are generally closed; that makes GTK a poor choice for anyone expecting ongoing frontend support.
Pricing
Czkawka is free to use, with no ads: the Free plan costs nothing. There is no paid tier or trial to weigh against a capped free version, so it is a straightforward option for both occasional cleanup and repeated use. The repository says the code is MIT-licensed, while the Krokiet and Cedinia applications are GPL-3.0-only.
Platforms
Czkawka is cross-platform, with platform coverage listed for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. The available frontends differ in their support outlook: GTK will not receive new binaries, while Krokiet's video-similarity scan requires ffmpeg.
Who it's for
Czkawka is a strong fit for users who want a free, privacy-minded utility to inspect selected locations for several categories of unwanted files, especially when previews, automatic selection, and trash handling matter. Its CLI, Android frontend, and reusable library also give it reach beyond a conventional desktop GUI. It is less compelling for users who need continuing GTK binaries or want video similarity without installing ffmpeg for Krokiet.
Pros and cons
- Pro: A broad set of scans, from empty and large files to similar media and duplicate music, makes it more versatile than a duplicate-only cleaner.
- Pro: Four duplicate-match methods, previews, automatic selection, exclusions, and trash support give users useful control over finding and reviewing candidates.
- Pro: The project says it has no internet access and gathers no user data or statistics.
- Con: GTK is at its final release, with no further binaries planned and GTK-specific requests generally closed.
- Con: Krokiet's similar-videos feature requires ffmpeg at runtime, despite its binaries having no other mandatory runtime dependencies.
Alternatives
For a broader comparison, see Duplicate File Finders. Choose dupeGuru if you want a free duplicate-file finder for Linux, macOS, or Windows without Czkawka's broader set of scan types. fclones is another free option for Linux, macOS, and Windows, specifically as a command-line utility under the MIT license.
If Windows-only disk-usage analysis is the priority, Folder Size has a free plan for folder and file size analysis, disk-usage charts, and local and external drive scanning. Space Wizard is a free cross-platform choice with a Home drive scan and a limit of up to 100 GB per scan. AllDup is free for private users and companies on Windows. CloneSpy is a free Windows duplicate-file cleanup tool. Duplicate Cleaner offers a free basic version for personal and home use, but not commercial use.
Verdict
Choose Czkawka if you want a free, privacy-minded cleanup tool that searches for more than duplicates and lets you review and handle results selectively. Its range and control are the main reasons to pick it; look elsewhere if continued GTK support or Krokiet video similarity without ffmpeg is essential.
Getting started
- Open the project repository at https://github.com/qarmin/czkawka.
- Choose a GUI, CLI, or Android frontend for a supported platform.
- Install or launch the chosen frontend using its provided distribution route.
- Select the directories or files you want scanned and configure matching or folder exclusions.
- Use previews and automatic selection to review results, then move selected items to Trash or the Recycle Bin.
Questions
Does Czkawka cost anything?
Czkawka is free to use with no ads. The Free plan is free.
Which platforms does Czkawka support?
It supports Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Does Czkawka connect to the internet or collect user information?
The project says Czkawka has no internet access and collects no user information or statistics.
Is Czkawka open source?
The repository says its code is MIT-licensed. The Krokiet and Cedinia applications are GPL-3.0-only.
Does the similar-videos tool need an additional dependency?
Krokiet prebuilt binaries have no mandatory runtime dependencies, but its similar-videos tool requires ffmpeg at runtime.
Where should users report bugs?
The maintainer invites users to create issues for bugs and pull requests for fixes. GTK-specific issues and feature requests are generally closed.
Alternatives to Czkawka
- 1
Avidemux
Free planOpen sourceWebLinuxmacOSWindows7.3Free plan - 2
DoubleKiller
Free planWindows7.2$19.95 one-time - 3
jdupes
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSWindows7.2Free plan - 4
Duplicate Files Fixer
Free planAndroidmacOSWindows6.8From €35.95 a year - 5
Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro
AndroidiOSmacOSWindows6.7From $39.95 a year - 6
dupeGuru
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.6Free plan