8 Best Duplicate Photo Cleaners for Mac
Now let’s look at each of these Mac photo duplicate finders. We’ll go over our impressions, the pros and cons, standout features, and overall performance.
1. Disk Drill Duplicate Photo Finder
Main Function – Data recovery | 
Speed – Excellent | 
OS Support – macOS 10.5 or later. Versions are available for older versions of macOS
Disk Drill includes a free Duplicate Photo Finder as part of its Data Recovery software. It can quickly scan selected folders or your entire drive to identify duplicate files, displaying the full pathname for each item. Results are categorized by type, allowing you to focus on images, videos, or documents, but it can locate any duplicate files on your Mac.
The duplicate finder is available in the free Basic version, so you don’t need to upgrade to Pro to use it.
Note: While Disk Drill is best known as a powerful data recovery tool, it also offers several other handy features. Its strong reputation and user trust, combined with the free duplicate finder and additional tools, make it a top recommendation for Mac users looking to manage duplicates efficiently.
Additional Features:
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Data recovery software.
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Create byte-level backups.
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Free data protection tools.
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Secure data shredder.
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Clean up tool.
Pros:
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Free to use.
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Modern, intuitive interface.
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Quick duplicate photo scanning.
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Straightforward usage.
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Preview function for photos and many other file types.
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Preview most and auto-selection rules.
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You can filter scan results.
Cons:
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Does not support the Photos app.
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Limited customizability.
Pricing plans:
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Free tool included as part of Disk Drill’s trial download.
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$89 for the Pro version featuring unlimited data recovery
Free Download
We use Disk Drill extensively, and it’s easy to see why—it’s a powerhouse tool with a clean, intuitive design that makes data management effortless. The duplicate file remover stands out as one of our favorite features.
Once installed, you simply click “Find duplicates” to start scanning for extra photos or other files. The scan is fast, even for large libraries, and the results are easy to review and clean up, with automatic selection available for convenience.
The interface is modern and well-organized, and the Dark Mode option makes long sessions easier on the eyes. While Disk Drill is renowned for its file recovery capabilities, its additional tools, including the efficient duplicate finder, make it a versatile, must-have utility for Mac users.
2. Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro
Main Function – Finding duplicate photos | Speed – Excellent | OS Support – macOS 10.8 or later
Developed by Systweak Software, Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro makes it easy to clean up your Mac from extra duplicate photos. This tool is built specifically for photo duplicates, so it won’t catch other types of duplicate files on your storage. You can choose which folders to scan, and it works with external storage devices and even cloud locations.
Additional Features:
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Clean duplicate photos in Google Drive.
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Delete multiple duplicates at once.
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Custom comparison settings.
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Choose between Exact Match for identical duplicates or Similar Matches for near-identical photos.
Pros:
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Offers two modes for identifying duplicates.
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Supports internal and external drives.
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Supports the Photos app and Mac folders.
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Fairly customizable and easy to use.
Cons:
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Preview can be laggy.
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There is no search function among the found duplicates.
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No free trial for Mac.
Pricing plans:
- $9.99 from the Mac App Store
Free Download
We appreciate that Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro can detect both exact duplicates and similar photos. The Similar Matches feature is particularly useful, though it should be used carefully to avoid accidental deletions.
The app could be more intuitive, especially when managing duplicates in the Photos app, and customer support isn’t always as responsive as we’d like. Despite these minor drawbacks, it remains a strong contender for the best Mac photo duplicate finder, particularly for its ability to scan Google Drive for duplicates without requiring downloads.
3. Cisdem Duplicate Finder
Main Function – Finding duplicate files | Speed – Good | OS Support – macOS 10.11 or later
Cisdem Duplicate Finder finds duplicate files quickly and gives you the option to delete them permanently, send them to a folder, or move them to the Trash. It features a simple interface that requires you to drag a folder into the interface to scan its contents. The free version only lets you review duplicate files without cleaning up.
Additional Features:
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Scans by file content regardless of name.
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Categorizes duplicates by file type.
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Finds duplicates in Photos and Music apps.
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You can customize the ignore list for files.
Pros:
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Supports external and network drives.
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Finds duplicates and similar files.
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Offers multiple preview modes.
Cons:
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The clean-up feature requires payment.
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Slower scan speed.
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Occasional freezes.
Pricing plans:
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Free from the developer website with in-app purchases. The free version only detects duplicate files.
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To remove duplicates, you need the $19.99 annual or $39.99 lifetime subscription
Free Download
When testing Cisdem Duplicate Finder, we found it helpful but with mixed results. On the positive side, it often detects duplicate files that other programs might miss, and the “Smart Select” feature automatically marks duplicates, making cleanup quick and easy.
However, we experienced occasional freezes during large scans and some false positives, where non-duplicate images were misidentified as duplicates. Overall, Cisdem Duplicate Finder is effective and user-friendly, but could benefit from a few performance improvements.
4. Photos Duplicate Cleaner
Main Function – Duplicate photos removal | Speed – Good | OS Support – macOS 10.7 or later
Photos Duplicate Cleaner is a free duplicate photo finder for macOS. It is developed by the same team behind Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro, but it is an older version with less efficient scanning methods, as noted by the developer in a prompt encouraging users to consider upgrading.
The app allows you to select specific folders to scan, detecting and grouping duplicate photos across your Mac. All copies of a photo, except the original, are deleted, helping free up significant disk space on both your Mac and any connected external drives.
Additional Features:
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Works with exact duplicate photos and similar images.
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Scans external storage devices as well as your Mac’s internal drive.
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User-friendly interface with a one-click cleaner function.
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Creates groups of duplicate photos for easy review and selection before deletion.
Pros:
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Supports external drives.
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Quick scans with a clear grouping of duplicates.
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Auto-selects duplicates for fast removal.
Cons:
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Occasional crashes with large numbers of photos.
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Shows an ad for a new paid app from the same developer.
Pricing plans:
- Free on the Mac App Store with all core features, but includes occasional ads.
Free Download
Our review. You can download Photos Duplicate Cleaner from the App Store for free. The app is simple to use, with a one-click cleaner feature and a clean layout that organizes duplicates together, which makes the review process straightforward. We did run into occasional crashes with larger photo libraries, and we wished for more options to customize auto-selection of duplicates. The app also shows ads for other products occasionally, which isn’t a big deal but could be a minor drawback. Overall, Photos Duplicate Cleaner is a solid, no-cost tool for anyone looking to tidy up their photo library.
5. Duplicate File Finder Remover
Main Function – Finding duplicate files | Speed – Good | OS Support – macOS 10.13 or later
Duplicate File Finder Remover is a solid duplicate photo finder you can download for free from the App Store. It displays duplicates in clear pie or bar graphs and offers helpful cleanup tips to guide you through deleting unnecessary photos and files. The Pro version adds even more functionality.
Additional Features:
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Provides cleanup hints.
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Merges similar folders for streamlined organization.
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Shows results in a graph.
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Saves scan results for future reference.
Pros:
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Detects a variety of duplicate files.
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Intuitive interface with smooth performance.
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Provides an overview of duplicates.
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Scans cloud drives for duplicates
Cons:
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Limited features in the free version.
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Too many pop-ups.
Pricing plans:
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Free from the Mac App Store.
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Pro version costs $9.49/month; $17.99/annual; $39.99/lifetime
Free Download
We appreciated the clean interface and smooth performance of Duplicate File Finder Remover, which makes it very easy to use. The free version offers a lot of functionality, with results displayed in clear pie or bar graphs for simple review. Helpful cleanup tips further streamline the process.
The Pro version adds extra capabilities, such as identifying duplicate folders for better organization. One limitation is that it can miss duplicates with different file extensions (e.g., .jpeg vs .png). Overall, it is a reliable, user-friendly option and stands out as one of the best duplicate photo cleaners for Mac.
6. Duplicate Photo Cleaner
Main Function – Finding duplicate files | Speed – Excellent | OS Support – macOS 10.6 and later
Duplicate Photo Cleaner by WebMinds, Inc. makes photo management easy. Its Multiviewer interface lets you compare duplicates side-by-side for fast review, and it even works with Adobe Lightroom catalog, which is a huge plus for photographers. You can set similarity thresholds to fine-tune results, and it supports a broad range of file formats, including JPG, PNG, TIFF, RAW, Apple ProRAW, and HEIC/HEIF.
Additional Features:
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Search for photos that contain similar elements.
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A Same Subject scan helps manage unsorted photo folders.
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Manages duplicates directly within the Lightroom catalog, which is a standout feature for photographers.
Pros:
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Wide format support.
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Multiple scan modes.
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Easy preview and selection.
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Folder comparison mode.
Cons:
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Limited free version
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Improvement is needed in similar image detection
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The application may freeze on the latest versions of macOS
Pricing plans:
- Yearly subscription for one computer is $39.95
Free Download
Duplicate Photo Cleaner is a fast and capable tool for Mac users. Its Multiviewer makes it easy to review and compare similar images, and it supports a wide range of file formats, which is particularly useful for photographers.
The app offers Lightroom integration, customizable similarity thresholds, and element search, giving users more control than many other duplicate finders. While the interface feels a bit dated, it remains functional and straightforward. Occasionally, it may miss duplicates with extreme edits, but overall, it’s a strong choice for most users seeking a reliable Mac photo duplicate finder.
7. PhotoSweeper
Main Function – Finding duplicate files | Speed – Excellent | OS Support – macOS 10.13 or later
PhotoSweeper is a fast and efficient tool to eliminate similar or duplicate photos from your photo collections. It works with Photos, Capture One, and Lightroom media libraries as well as photos from your hard drives and external storage. It features an easy-to-use interface that makes deleting duplicates a simple task.
Additional Features:
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Flexible comparison settings.
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Side-to-side comparison.
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Multiple viewing modes.
Pros:
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Effective similar image detection.
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Supports Capture One and Adobe Lightroom Classic catalogs.
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Customizable with convenient photo viewing and removal options.
Cons:
- It can be overwhelming due to extensive settings.
Pricing plans:
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Free trial app from the developer’s website.
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$17.99
Free Download
PhotoSweeper v.4 is a solid tool for managing duplicate and similar photos on Mac. Its customization options let you fine-tune similarity detection using parameters like pixel dimensions, aspect ratio, and time gaps.
The Auto Mark feature is a major time-saver, automatically selecting the best photo in each set. In our tests on a large photo library, PhotoSweeper scanned quickly and smoothly.
The downsides are a slightly dated interface and the fact that it only saves the last session, which can be inconvenient for ongoing comparisons. Overall, PhotoSweeper 4 combines accuracy and smart features, making it a powerful and affordable option for Mac users.
8. Gemini 2: The Duplicate Finder
Main Function – Finding duplicate files | Speed – Good | OS Support – macOS 10.10 or later
Gemini 2: The Duplicate Finder can find your duplicate photos and delete them from storage to save space. It requires you to log in with your Apple ID and grant it access to various folders on your machine. The tool identifies any type of duplicate files or folders and can save substantial space on your Mac.
Additional Features:
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Recover accidentally deleted files with one click.
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Move duplicates to a separate folder.
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Works seamlessly with Photos, iTunes, and other macOS libraries.
Pros:
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Identifies exact and similar photos.
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Real-time detection of new duplicates.
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Easy to use with customization options.
Cons:
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Image preview can be laggy.
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Scan may take longer than competitors.
Pricing plans:
- Three-day free trial followed by $23.40 per year (or $44.95 one-time purchase)
Free Download
Our Review of Gemini 2: The Duplicate Finder
We found Gemini 2: The Duplicate Finder to be a fast, reliable tool for finding duplicate photos on Mac—and it does more than just photos. It also scans music, documents, and other file types, helping you reclaim space across your entire system.
Features like folder‑specific scans and a whitelist let you tailor scans to your needs, and the Duplicate Monitor proactively alerts you to duplicates before they accumulate. While the available filters could be more extensive, Gemini 2 shines in its simplicity and speed.
For anyone looking for a practical, easy‑to‑use Mac duplicate photo finder that also helps clear out general file clutter, Gemini 2: The Duplicate Finder is a solid choice.
Ultimate Mac Duplicate Image Finder Guide
If you’re still deciding which duplicate photo finder is right for you, the table below offers a detailed comparison of the top options for Mac. It breaks down key features, pricing, compatibility, and unique strengths to help you choose with confidence:
| Criteria | Disk Drill Duplicate Photo Finder | Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro | Cisdem Duplicate Finder | Duplicate File Finder Remover | Duplicate Photo Cleaner | PhotoSweeper | Gemini 2: The Duplicate Finder | Photos Duplicate Cleaner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License price | Free ($89.00 with data recovery) | $9.99 | $19.99/annual or $39.99/lifetime | Free | Free with $39.99/lifetime Pro version | Free trial with $39.99/year subscription | Free trial with $17.99 Pro version | Three-day free trial with full version for $44.95 |
| Free lifetime upgrades | No | No | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | No | Yes | – | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Mac OS compatibility | 10.5 or later | 10.8 or later | 10.11 or later | 10.7 or later | 10.13 or later | 10.6 or later | 10.13 or later | 10.10 or later |
| Support Apple silicon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exact-duplicate photos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Near-duplicate photos | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other types of duplicate files | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Scan multiple folders | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scan entire Mac | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Scan by file content | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scan by filename | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Exclude folders from scan | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Exclude files from scan | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Sort by name, size, etc. | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in preview | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Preview side by side | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Zoom in/out preview | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Auto-select | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Select by folder | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Select by date | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Select by file size | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Select by resolution | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Select manually | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safely remove from Apple Photos | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Move to Trash | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remove Permanently | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Move to Folder | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Warning before deleting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Beware of These Products
We attempted to download and install the following programs on a 2022 MacBook Pro with an Apple silicon chip and ran into some issues. While we don’t want to write off these solutions completely, we advise caution with these duplicate photo finders.
Smart Mac Care downloaded fine, but during installation, Kaspersky Security flagged it for malware, so we stopped testing immediately.
macOS Security Warnings for Certain Duplicate Finders
Some Mac duplicate photo finder apps may trigger macOS security alerts due to unverified developers:
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Easy Duplicate Finder: macOS reports it can’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.
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DupeGuru: Installation may fail with a message stating the developer cannot be verified, and macOS warns that it cannot confirm the app is free from malware.
Caution: If you choose to use these apps, proceed with extreme care. Make sure you backup your data and take steps to prevent potential malware infections, as these warnings indicate macOS cannot verify the software’s safety.
For most users, it’s safer to stick with verified apps available through the App Store or trusted developers.