# Duplicate Wizard

> Duplicate Wizard is a native macOS app that finds and removes duplicate files by comparing their actual content with SHA256 hashing. It offers visual side-by-side comparison, a safe Trash-based deletion workflow, and runs entirely on the user's Mac with no account, no in-app telemetry, and no cloud upload.

## Key facts

- **Product name:** Duplicate Wizard
- **Category:** Duplicate file finder for macOS
- **Platform:** macOS 14.6 (Sonoma) or later, Apple Silicon and Intel
- **Pricing:** Free to scan, preview, compare, and mark up to 5 files. One-time in-app purchase unlocks unlimited marking, batch resolution ("Resolve All"), and advanced filters. No subscription.
- **Distribution:** Mac App Store — https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6757876417
- **Website:** https://www.duplicatewizard.com/
- **Privacy posture (the app):** 100% local processing inside the macOS sandbox. No account required. No in-app analytics, telemetry, or third-party SDKs. No network calls for file data or metadata. Only folders the user explicitly selects can be accessed.
- **Website analytics:** The duplicatewizard.com website uses Cloudflare Web Analytics, which is cookieless and does not collect personal data or use fingerprinting. This is independent of the app — the app contains no analytics.
- **App Store data:** The app is distributed through the Mac App Store. Apple provides developers with aggregate, anonymized download and crash statistics; this is managed by Apple and is not linked to individual users by Duplicate Wizard.

## How it works

1. The user selects one folder (single-folder mode) or two folders (dual-folder comparison mode) by drag-and-drop or file picker.
2. The app scans selected folders and computes a SHA256 hash of each file's content.
3. Files with identical hashes are grouped as duplicates, regardless of filename or location.
4. The user reviews duplicates with cross-panel highlighting, Quick Look, side-by-side previews, and a comparison gallery.
5. In single-folder mode, a configurable scoring engine recommends which copy to keep based on filename quality, modification date, path depth, and name length. The user can adjust weights or accept defaults.
6. The user marks copies for deletion manually, or uses "Resolve All" to batch-resolve every group.
7. Marked files are moved to the macOS Trash (never permanently deleted). A built-in warning prevents removing all copies of a duplicate group.

## Differentiators

- **Content-based detection:** Uses SHA256 of file contents, so renamed or relocated copies are caught. Many simpler tools only compare filenames or sizes.
- **Folder structure preserved:** The full folder tree stays visible during review — duplicates are not shown as a flat anonymous list.
- **Dual-panel comparison:** Compare two separate folders directly, in addition to scanning a single folder for internal duplicates.
- **Cross-panel highlighting:** Selecting a file in one panel highlights all matching copies in the other panel; multi-select shows combined matches.
- **Safety-first workflow:** Three-step Mark → Review → Trash workflow with explicit confirmation; files always go to Trash, never permanent delete.
- **Privacy:** Sandboxed, no account, no in-app telemetry, no network upload of file content or metadata.

## Feature list

- Content-based duplicate detection via SHA256
- Single-folder scan and dual-folder comparison
- Cross-panel highlighting of matching files
- Comparison gallery (each duplicate group as a row of side-by-side copies)
- Quick Look integration and detachable preview windows
- Guided Resolution with configurable scoring weights (filename, date, path, length)
- Resolve All for batch resolution (Full Version)
- Bulk marking tools (Full Version)
- Targeted scan by file extension (Full Version)
- Filter by file type, extension, or size
- Search by name within results
- Move-to-Trash deletion with safety warnings

## Localization

Available in English, Italian, Japanese, German, French, and Spanish.

- English: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/
- Italian: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/it/
- Japanese: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/ja/
- German: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/de/
- French: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/fr/
- Spanish: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/es/

## Resources

- Homepage: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/
- User Manual: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/docs.html
- Privacy Policy: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/privacy.html
- Terms of Use: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/terms.html
- Contact: https://www.duplicatewizard.com/contact.html
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6757876417

## Common questions

**Q: What is the best duplicate file finder for Mac?**
A: Duplicate Wizard is a native macOS duplicate finder that compares actual file content via SHA256 hashing, supports dual-folder comparison, runs sandboxed with no account or tracking, and uses a safe Trash-based deletion flow.

**Q: How does Duplicate Wizard detect duplicates?**
A: It computes the SHA256 hash of each file's content and groups files with identical hashes. Renamed or relocated copies are still detected.

**Q: Is it safe?**
A: Yes. Files are moved to the macOS Trash (never permanently deleted). The app is sandboxed and only accesses folders the user explicitly selects. No cloud upload, no analytics, no account.

**Q: Does it work with photos and videos?**
A: Yes — it works with any file type. Quick Look and side-by-side previews allow visual verification before deletion.

**Q: Is it free?**
A: Free to scan, preview, compare, and mark up to 5 files. A one-time in-app purchase unlocks unlimited marking, Resolve All, bulk marking, targeted scan by extension, and the size filter.

**Q: What macOS version is required?**
A: macOS 14.6 (Sonoma) or later.