GParted

Overview

GParted is a free graphical partition editor for people who need to change how a disk is divided, whether to resize a system drive or make room for another operating system. Its broad range of partition operations and bootable Live image make it a practical option when a native installation is unsuitable, but it is not a low-risk choice: partition edits can cause data loss.

Key features

GParted can create, delete, resize, move, check, label, and copy partitions, and set a new UUID. It can also create msdos and GPT partition tables. That range covers common disk-layout jobs, including preparing space for another operating system or sharing data between operating systems.

It supports hard drives, USB flash devices, SSDs, NVMe, RAID devices, and devices with different sector sizes. Its filesystem support spans bcachefs, btrfs, exFAT, ext2/3/4, FAT16/32, HFS and HFS+, Linux swap, LVM2 PV, Minix, NILFS2, NTFS, ReiserFS, Reiser4, UDF, UFS, and XFS. The breadth is useful across mixed storage setups, but supported actions differ by filesystem, so users should not assume every operation works on every format.

GParted uses GNU libparted and optional filesystem tools to detect and manipulate devices, partition tables, and additional filesystem formats. GParted Live is a bootable GNU/Linux distribution that can run from CD, USB, a PXE server, or a hard disk. Releases 1.7.0-1 and later are amd64-only and are stated to work with UEFI Secure Boot; compatible x86-64 hardware is therefore required for the current Live image. At least 1 GB of RAM is needed to use all application features.

Partition editing can cause data loss, so back up data before proceeding. The project also provides signed checksum and GPG instructions for verifying downloads, a useful safeguard when preparing boot media.

Pricing

Both options are free, with no payment required and no free-trial period. The GParted plan is the partition editor application and requires Linux for native installation. GParted Live is a free bootable image for compatible x86-64 hardware; it trades a native installation for a separate boot environment.

Platforms

Native installation requires Linux. GParted Live can boot from CD, USB, PXE server, or hard disk, but current releases require amd64 hardware. The project identifies Linux as its operating system; users seeking a native Windows or macOS installation should not treat those platform labels as equivalent to supported native installs.

Who it's for

GParted suits Linux users who need direct control over disk partitions, especially when resizing a system drive, making room for another operating system, or creating shared-data partitions. Its Live image also helps when the machine cannot conveniently run the installed application, provided the hardware is compatible. It is a poor fit for anyone unwilling to back up first or whose needed operation is unsupported on the target filesystem.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A broad set of partition actions, including moving and copying, handles more than basic creation and deletion.
• Pro: Support for varied storage devices and many filesystem types makes it useful in mixed-disk environments.
• Pro: A free bootable option avoids requiring a native install for every partition task.
• Con: Actions vary by filesystem, limiting consistency across formats.
• Con: Current Live releases require compatible 64-bit amd64 hardware, excluding other architectures.
• Con: Partition changes carry data-loss risk, making backups essential rather than optional preparation.

Alternatives

For a Windows-focused freemium option with a free edition and trial, consider AOMEI Partition Assistant. EaseUS Partition Master is another freemium choice with a trial and Windows and macOS platform coverage; its Professional plan is $59.95, paid once. Windows users comparing other free editions can also look at DiskGenius, Macrorit Partition Expert, MiniTool Partition Wizard, and NIUBI Partition Editor. For a free remote-assistance tool rather than a partition editor, see Microsoft Quick Assist. GPT fdisk is a free alternative for readers comparing partition tools across Linux, Windows, and macOS. Browse the Disk Partition Software category for more options.

Verdict

Choose GParted if you want a free Linux partition editor with extensive disk-layout controls and a bootable route for working outside the installed system. Look elsewhere if you need uniform actions across filesystems, non-amd64 Live media, or a native Windows or macOS installation.