Comparison
Dup vs the Photos app: finding duplicates on a Mac
The Photos app on macOS gathers copies it finds into a Duplicates album and lets you merge them, but only inside the Photos library. Dup scans the Photos library together with folders and external drives, and also matches one video saved at different resolutions and formats.
Pay with your Apple ID
Reaches folders App Store apps can't
The facts
- Since macOS Ventura, Photos lists duplicates in the Duplicates album in its sidebar, and Merge keeps one copy while combining their details.
- Photos only looks inside its own library, so copies in folders, in downloads or on an external drive are outside its reach.
- Dup groups similar shots and HEIC and JPG copies of one picture, and lets you compare each group before anything is removed.
Dup scanning the Photos library, including photos kept in iCloud, and grouping the duplicates it finds there.
Scanning the Photos library and iCloud Photos
Side by side
| What you need | Dup | Photos app |
|---|---|---|
| Exact duplicates | Yes, in folders, on external drives and in the Photos library | Yes, inside the Photos library |
| Similar / near-duplicate photos | Yes, including HEIC and JPG copies of one picture | Only copies that look identical to it |
| Duplicate videos across codec / resolution | Yes. Matches 4K, 1080p and 720p copies across H.264, H.265 and ProRes, in MOV, MP4 or MKV | Not across different resolutions or codecs |
| 100% on-device, nothing uploaded | On your Mac. Nothing is uploaded | On your Mac |
| Look outside the Photos library | Yes: any folder, external drive or cloud drive folder you choose | No, only its own library |
| Get a deleted file back | Files go to the Trash, or to Recently Deleted in Photos, and Dup can undo the last cleanup | Merged copies go to Recently Deleted |
| Price | Free for up to 250 MB of deletions; Pro is $29.99 a year or $39.99 once | Free, built into macOS |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Photos app find duplicates on a Mac?
Yes. On macOS Ventura and later, Photos shows copies in a Duplicates album and lets you merge them. It only looks inside the Photos library.
Why use Dup if Photos already finds duplicates?
Because Dup looks where Photos does not: folders, external drives, and videos saved at different resolutions or formats. It still scans the Photos library too, in the same pass.
How much does Dup cost?
Dup is free to download and removes up to 250 MB of duplicates at no cost. Pro removes that limit for $29.99 a year, or $39.99 once for a lifetime license.
Try it on your own library
Free to try, with 250 MB of cleanup included. Nothing leaves your Mac, on any plan.
Pay with your Apple ID
Reaches folders App Store apps can't
macOS 13+