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fdupes
What it is
fdupes is free, open-source Linux software for locating duplicate files in directories you specify and removing selected copies. It can recurse through subdirectories and optionally follow symbolic links. Matching uses file size and MD5 signatures, with byte-by-byte comparison available to confirm duplicates; a quick summary mode skips that slower confirmation. An optional database cache stores signatures to accelerate later comparisons. Filters can set minimum or maximum file sizes, exclude hidden or empty files, require matching permissions, and sort results by time, change time, or name. Interactive deletion asks which copies to preserve, while no-prompt modes can remove 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. Full-featured builds require ncursesw and PCRE2; without ncurses, screen-mode selection is disabled. No third-party integrations are documented, and no formal support plan is described.
For and against
For
- Free open-source software
- Recursive directory scanning
- Configurable size and visibility filters
- Interactive or automatic deletion
- Signature cache can speed comparisons
Against
- Linux platform only
- Deletion can cause data loss in warned cases
- Full build requires ncursesw and PCRE2
- No formal support plan
The verdict
fdupes offers detailed duplicate matching, filtering, caching, and deletion controls at no cost. Users should review its symlink and repeated-directory warning before enabling automatic removal.
Who it suits
It suits Linux users and developers who need command-line duplicate-file scanning. The maintainer recommends release versions for end users.
Plans and prices
Free
Free software under a license permitting use, copying, modification, and distribution
Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Build dependencies
- A full-featured build requires ncursesw and PCRE2; building without ncurses disables the screen-mode selection interface.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Comparison cache
- An optional database cache stores file signatures to speed up comparisons.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Deletion
- Interactive deletion prompts users to choose which files to preserve, while no-prompt modes can delete duplicates automatically.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Duplicate matching
- It offers a quick summary mode that skips slower byte-for-byte match confirmation.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project documents no third-party service integrations; it runs against directories supplied on the command line.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Intended user
- The maintainer says the development version is intended for developers and recommends end users use a release version.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The software is provided free of charge under terms that permit use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale of copies.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- fdupes identifies duplicate files within specified directories and can delete selected duplicates.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Recursive scans
- It can recurse into subdirectories and optionally follow symbolic links.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- GitHub reports that the project has no SECURITY.md policy and no published security advisories.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README lists Adrian Lopez’s email address for contact; no formal support plan is described.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
