vsCompare
Tidemark and the other disk tools.
01Comparisons
Pick a comparison
- 01Tidemark vs WizTreeVery fast disk space analyzerFree for personal use; commercial use from $25 onceread
- 02Tidemark vs WinDirStatOpen-source disk usage viewerFree and open source (GPL), including commercial useread
- 03Tidemark vs TreeSizeDisk space manager from JAM SoftwareFree for private use; Personal from €20.40 a year; Professional from €41 a yearread
- 04Tidemark vs CCleanerPC cleaner and optimiserFree edition; CCleaner Pro list price $44.95, sold as a subscriptionread
- 05Tidemark vs Windows Storage settingsStorage Sense, Cleanup recommendations and Disk CleanupBuilt into Windowsread
02Table
Feature by feature
“Not listed” means the vendor doesn’t advertise the feature; it may still exist. “Not confirmed” means we couldn’t check it.
| Feature | Tidemark | WizTree | WinDirStat | TreeSize | CCleaner | Windows Storage settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual treemap of a drive | Yes | Yes | YesAlso sunburst and flame views | Yes | NoDisk Analyzer became Duplicate Finder in version 7 | No |
| Fast whole-drive scan from the NTFS Master File Table | YesFast scan, Pro | Yes | YesWhen run as administrator | YesStated for TreeSize Free | Not confirmed | No |
| Space per app, across Program Files, AppData and ProgramData | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | PartlyInstalled apps show a size, without their AppData |
| Snapshots compared over time: which folders grew | YesLatest change free; any two snapshots with Pro | Not listed | PartlySaves and loads scans; no comparison listed | PartlyPaid editions; scheduled comparison reports in Professional | Not listed | No |
| Forecast of when a drive will be full | YesPro | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | No |
| Duplicate file finder | YesBy content; sharing AI models is Pro | YesBy name and size, free | YesBy hash, free | PartlyPaid editions only | Yes | No |
| Developer build folders (node_modules, target, venvs) | YesPro | Not listed | PartlyCustom clean-up commands you write | Not listed | Not confirmed | No |
| Explains Windows’ system space (WinSxS, hibernation, page file) | YesCleaned with Microsoft’s own tools | Not confirmed | PartlyCan turn off hibernation | Not listed | Not confirmed | Partly“System & reserved” breakdown |
| Cleans caches and temp files, sorted by risk | YesSafe, Review first, Handle with care | Not listed | PartlyConfirms destructive actions; no risk labels listed | Not listed | PartlyCleans temp files and caches; risk labels not confirmed | PartlyFixed categories; automatic when space is low |
| Uninstalls apps and finds what they left behind | YesClearing leftovers is Pro | Not listed | PartlyOpens Windows’ own app settings | Not listed | PartlyUninstaller; leftover scan not confirmed | PartlyUninstalls; no leftover scan |
| Folder limits or alerts when a folder grows | YesLimits and Watches, Pro | Not listed | Not listed | PartlyThreshold alerts in Professional | Not confirmed | PartlyLow disk space warning |
| AI-aware: running model servers, duplicate AI models | YesStopping tools is Pro | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | No |
| On the Microsoft Store | PartlyComing soon | Not confirmed | Not confirmedMSIX and WinGet packages exist | YesTreeSize Free | Not confirmed | YesBuilt in |
| Price | Free; Pro $9.99 once | Free personal; commercial from $25 once | Free | Free private use; paid editions yearly | Pro $44.95 list, subscription | Free |
Legend: Yes · Partly · No · Not listed · Not confirmed. Prices and features change; check each vendor’s site before you buy. Found a mistake? Email [email protected] and we’ll fix it.
03Summary
The short version
- 01
For a quick look at what’s big
WizTree, WinDirStat and TreeSize Free are fast, free and very good at it. So is Tidemark’s free Explore.
- 02
For a drive that keeps filling
Tidemark remembers past scans, shows which folders grew and forecasts when the drive will be full. Among the tools here, only TreeSize’s paid yearly editions list comparing scans.
- 03
For knowing which app owns the space
Tidemark adds up each app across Program Files, AppData and ProgramData. None of the other tools list this.
- 04
For cleaning without guesswork
Tidemark explains every item and sorts it by risk, sends removals to the Recycle Bin and leaves Windows’ own space to Microsoft’s tools.
- 05
For AI and developer drives
Tidemark knows model servers, duplicate AI models and build folders such as node_modules and target.
→Get Tidemark
Try it on your own drive.
Free to use, with no time limit. Tidemark Pro is $9.99 once (usually $19.99), for up to 3 PCs.
coming soonto the Microsoft Store
See pricingWindows 10 (version 2004, build 19041) or later and Windows 11, on x64 PCs.