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Utilities · head to head

GParted vs WinDirStat

GParted logo

GParted

Utilities

Graphical partition editor for disks

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WinDirStat logo

WinDirStat

Utilities

Windows disk usage analyser that shows where space went as a colour-coded treemap

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GParted partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice; WinDirStat it walks the directory tree rather than reading the NTFS master file table, so a full scan takes minutes where WizTree takes seconds on the same drive.
  • They diverge on capability: GParted covers Graphical partitioning, WinDirStat covers Treemap visualisation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GParted and WinDirStat actually diverge.

Attributes where GParted and WinDirStat differ
AttributeGPartedWinDirStat
PlatformsLinux, Live USBWindows

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Open source, no licence fee), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in GParted

  • Graphical partitioning
  • Wide filesystem support
  • Live boot image
  • Queued operations

Only in WinDirStat

  • Treemap visualisation
  • Three linked views
  • Multithreaded scanning
  • Cleanup actions
  • Any filesystem
  • GPL licensed

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GParted

  • Resizing a system partition, booted from the live imagenot WinDirStat
  • Preparing disk layout before installing an operating systemnot WinDirStat
  • Recovering space or repairing partition tables on a failing disknot WinDirStat

WinDirStat

  • Finding what filled a Windows system drive when the usual suspects are not responsiblenot GParted
  • Auditing a shared or network drive where files are spread across thousands of foldersnot GParted
  • Environments where licence terms forbid personal-use-only freeware on company machinesnot GParted
  • Explaining disk usage visually to someone who will not read a list of folder sizesnot GParted

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GParted

  • Partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice
  • Cannot safely modify mounted partitions, so system drives require booting the live image
  • Large move and resize operations can take hours and must not be interrupted
  • The interface is functional rather than reassuring, which matters for an operation this consequential

WinDirStat

  • It walks the directory tree rather than reading the NTFS master file table, so a full scan takes minutes where WizTree takes seconds on the same drive.
  • The version most users have installed is the 2007 build, and because it was dormant for so long, search results and download mirrors still point at it.
  • It is Windows only, so a mixed estate needs a different tool for macOS and Linux machines.
  • There is no scheduling, reporting or export for fleet use, so it answers a question on one machine at a time rather than monitoring storage across an organisation.
  • Hard links, junctions and deduplicated volumes can be counted in ways that make the totals disagree with what Windows reports, which causes confusion on servers.

Pricing, plan by plan

GParted

Free
  • GPartedFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

WinDirStat

Free
  • WinDirStatFree
    • GPL licensed
    • Commercial use permitted
    • No paid edition or feature gating

Which should you pick?

Choose GParted if

  • You need graphical partitioning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Live USB.
  • You also want wide filesystem support.
GParted review

Choose WinDirStat if

  • You need treemap visualisation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want three linked views.
WinDirStat review

Questions people ask

Is GParted or WinDirStat better?
Neither clearly leads. GParted starts at Free and WinDirStat at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GParted or WinDirStat?
GParted starts at Free and WinDirStat at Free.
Does GParted or WinDirStat run on more platforms?
GParted runs on Linux, Live USB. WinDirStat runs on Windows.
Can I use GParted for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GParted best used for?
GParted is most often used for resizing a system partition, booted from the live image, preparing disk layout before installing an operating system, recovering space or repairing partition tables on a failing disk. Of those, resizing a system partition, booted from the live image and preparing disk layout before installing an operating system are not what WinDirStat is typically brought in for.
What can GParted do that WinDirStat cannot?
GParted covers Graphical partitioning, Wide filesystem support, Live boot image, Queued operations. WinDirStat covers Treemap visualisation, Three linked views, Multithreaded scanning, Cleanup actions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GParted: Is GParted free?

Yes, open source under the GPL.

WinDirStat: Is WinDirStat still maintained?

Yes. It was dormant from around 2007 until new maintainers resumed development and released the 2.x line with multithreaded scanning and current Windows support.

GParted: Can GParted resize my system drive?

Not while it is mounted. Boot the GParted live USB image, which runs independently of the installed system.

WinDirStat: Can I use it at work?

Yes. It is GPL licensed with no personal-use restriction, which is the practical advantage over free-for-personal-use alternatives in this category.

GParted: Is it safe?

The operations are consequential and interruption during a move or resize can lose data. Back up before using it, every time.

WinDirStat: Why is it slower than WizTree?

Different method. WizTree reads the NTFS master file table directly; WinDirStat traverses directories, which is slower but works on any filesystem, including network shares.

WinDirStat: Does it run on macOS or Linux?

No. Separate projects exist with similar treemap interfaces, but WinDirStat itself is Windows only.

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