fdupes
fdupes is a free, open-source Linux utility that finds duplicate files in directories you specify and can delete selected copies.
What fdupes is
fdupes is a free, open-source Linux utility that finds duplicate files in directories you specify and can delete selected copies. It can scan subdirectories and optionally follow symbolic links. Matching can use file size and MD5 signatures, with byte-by-byte comparison to confirm matches; a quick summary mode skips that slower check. An optional database cache stores file signatures to speed comparisons.
You can filter by minimum or maximum file size, exclude hidden or empty files, match permissions, and sort results by time, change time, or name. Interactive deletion asks which copies to keep, while no-prompt modes can delete duplicates automatically. The project warns that deleting while following symbolic links, or listing the same directory more than once, can cause data loss. Installation is recommended through an operating-system package manager when available, or by downloading and compiling a release. A full-featured build requires ncursesw and PCRE2; without ncurses, the screen-mode selection interface is disabled.
Good
- Scans subdirectories and can follow symbolic links.
- Offers size, signature, and byte-by-byte matching.
- Optional cache stores file signatures.
- Interactive deletion lets users choose which copies to keep.
Watch out
- Deletion with symlink following can cause data loss.
- Listing a directory more than once during deletion can cause data loss.
- Full-featured builds require ncursesw and PCRE2.
Who it suits
fdupes suits Linux users who want to locate duplicate files in specified directories and choose how to handle copies. Its maintainer recommends release versions for end users and describes the development version as intended for developers.
Verdict
fdupes provides configurable duplicate-file scans and both interactive and automatic deletion modes. Take care with its documented deletion hazards, and check the build requirements if compiling from source.
Plans and prices
From fdupes's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free software under a license permitting use, copying, modification, and distribution |
The facts
Each one read from fdupes's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build dependencies
- A full-featured build requires ncursesw and PCRE2; building without ncurses disables the screen-mode selection interface.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Comparison cache
- An optional database cache stores file signatures to speed up comparisons.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Deletion
- Interactive deletion prompts users to choose which files to preserve, while no-prompt modes can delete duplicates automatically.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Deletion caution
- The project warns that using deletion with symlink following or listing the same directory more than once can lead to data loss.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Duplicate matching
- It offers a quick summary mode that skips slower byte-for-byte match confirmation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Filters and sorting
- Options include minimum and maximum file sizes, hidden and empty file exclusions, permission matching, and sorting by time, change time, or name.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Install method
- The project recommends installing through the operating system’s package manager when available, or downloading a release and compiling it.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project documents no third-party service integrations; it runs against directories supplied on the command line.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Intended user
- The maintainer says the development version is intended for developers and recommends end users use a release version.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The software is provided free of charge under terms that permit use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale of copies.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- fdupes identifies duplicate files within specified directories and can delete selected duplicates.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Recursive scans
- It can recurse into subdirectories and optionally follow symbolic links.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- GitHub reports that the project has no SECURITY.md policy and no published security advisories.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README lists Adrian Lopez’s email address for contact; no formal support plan is described.checked 5 Oct 2026
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