Compared
Leita or ncdu?
ncdu is the terminal disk usage tool for servers. Leita has a terminal mode too, and a desktop application around it.
| Leita | ncdu | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Linux, Windows, macOS | Linux, macOS, BSD |
| Exports | PDF, HTML, CSV, JSON | JSON |
| Shows what changed | Yes | No |
| Command line | Yes | Terminal only |
| At home | Free, or $39 a year for Pro | Free |
| At work | Free, or $99 a year for Pro | Free |
Facts about ncdu are from its own site, as of October 2026.
Where ncdu wins
Runs anywhere a terminal does, over SSH, with no display. Packaged by every distribution, MIT licensed, and tiny. Exports JSON. If you only ever look at servers, it is already installed or one package away.
Where Leita wins
A desktop application on Linux, Windows and macOS with sunburst, treemap and icicle views. Comparison between scans. PDF and HTML reports. Its terminal mode scanned 405,634 entries in 49 ms against ncdu’s 530 ms in Leita’s published benchmark, on the same machine with a warm cache and ncdu writing JSON to /dev/null; the method and raw results are there.
Folders as rings around the root; the largest arc is where to look first.
Which to choose
A server with no display: ncdu, or Leita’s terminal mode. A desk, a history, or a report: Leita.
ncdu is free. Leita is free at home and at work; Pro is $39 a year for one person and $99 for commercial work.