VolumeLens

Features

Everything VolumeLens does

A storage analyser for people who want to understand their disk before changing it. Free covers scanning, browsing, search and cleanup. Pro adds explanation and export.

01

Nested storage map

Rectangles sized by the space they use, with folders drawn as containers holding their own contents.

  • Four levels of nesting at once, so you see structure instead of a flat wall of boxes
  • Hover any cell for its name, kind, size, item count and parent
  • Double-click a folder to make it the root; breadcrumbs walk back up
  • Pinch or ⌘+ / ⌘− to zoom, then scroll to pan around a crowded folder
  • ⌘-click to select several items and act on them together
  • Colour by kind or by age, and switch between nominal size and space used on disk
  • A deterministic layout: the same folder always draws the same way
A nested storage map in dark mode with folders drawn as labelled containers holding their contents.
Nested view, coloured by kind, measured by space used on disk.

02

List view with sortable columns

The same snapshot as a table, for when reading beats looking.

  • Sort by name, size, space on disk, item count or date modified
  • A Notes column that spells out every caveat: hard link, sparse, compressed, unreadable, excluded
  • Multi-select with the same actions as the map
  • Every row carries a full spoken description for VoiceOver
The list view showing name, size, on-disk size, share, item count, modified date and notes columns.

04

Large files

The biggest files in the scan, in one list, with a size floor you choose.

  • Thresholds from 1 MB to 1 GB
  • Shows the containing folder, type, both size measures and the date
  • Select any number and send them through the same review sheet
  • Export the list to CSV with Pro
The large files screen listing the biggest files with folder, type, size, on-disk size and modified columns.

05

Insights

Pro

A pass over the snapshot that recognises the things that usually fill a Mac, and explains each one.

  • Dependency folders (node_modules), build output and Git history
  • Xcode DerivedData, archives, iOS device support and simulator devices
  • Caches for applications, Homebrew, npm, pnpm, Yarn, pip, Cargo, Gradle, Maven and CocoaPods
  • Docker Desktop's disk image and virtual machine disks
  • Installers over 50 MB, video over 500 MB and large items in Downloads
  • Each card gives what it is, why it grows, a recommendation, how it was matched and a risk level
  • Nested matches are counted once, so node_modules inside node_modules is not double-counted
  • High-risk items are explained but never offered for one-click removal
An Insights card explaining a node_modules folder, with a risk label, recommendation and matching method, alongside file-type and kind breakdowns.

06

Cleanup you can trust

One destructive action, wrapped in as many checks as it deserves.

  • A review sheet lists exactly what will move, what is blocked and why
  • Items already inside a selected folder are collapsed, so nothing counts twice
  • Each item is re-read immediately before it moves; anything that changed is refused and reported
  • Trash only — VolumeLens has no permanent delete
  • System paths, applications, sensitive Library folders and package interiors are blocked
  • Every outcome is written to a local log you can read in History
The Move to Trash review sheet showing blocked items with explanations, a confirmation checkbox and the count on the action button.

07

Honest accounting

Storage numbers are full of traps. VolumeLens shows the traps instead of hiding them.

  • Hard links are counted once, and the duplicate name says so
  • Sparse and filesystem-compressed files are flagged where size and disk usage diverge
  • Symbolic links are never followed, so a loop cannot inflate a total
  • Folders macOS will not let the app read are counted and labelled, never treated as empty
  • A cancelled scan is marked partial and its totals presented as a lower bound
  • Packages such as .app bundles are shown as one item, the way Finder shows them
The scan screen showing items read, size so far, elapsed time, a warning that some items could not be read, and the list of those notes.

08

History and repeat scans

Every scan is kept as an immutable snapshot until you clear it.

  • Compare a folder before and after a cleanup
  • Reopen any past snapshot, or rescan a location in one click
  • The cleanup log records every move with its result
  • Clear all local data at any time from Settings
The history screen listing scanned locations with their snapshots, sizes, item counts and coverage labels.

09

Privacy and control

The privacy claim is small enough that you can check it yourself.

  • No account, no sign-in, no sync
  • No network code in the app: it works with Wi-Fi off
  • Diagnostics are off, and this release sends nothing regardless of the setting
  • Exclusion patterns keep chosen folders out of future scans
  • Runs in the App Sandbox with access only to the folder you picked
  • One local database, which you can delete from Settings whenever you like
The settings screen with appearance, scanning exclusions, privacy and local data sections.

What VolumeLens deliberately does not do

A short list, because saying no is part of the design.

No one-click “clean my Mac”

Bulk automatic cleanup is how people lose work. Every removal is chosen and reviewed.

No permanent deletion

The Trash is the only destination. Emptying it stays your decision, in Finder.

No privileged helper

Nothing installs a background daemon or asks for your admin password.

No claims about speed or memory

VolumeLens measures storage. It will not promise to make your Mac faster.

No malware or security scanning

It is a storage tool and says so.

No file contents

Only names, sizes, dates and kinds are read. Files are never opened.

Download for MacPro is ₹999, once