Our story
Find the exact duplicate files on your disk without installing anything.
I'm Johnny Mobley. I started building systems for other people in 2000, when I was 16, and I've been doing it ever since. Along the way I automated most of my own work, and the tools I built for myself became these companies. Each one runs on rules I wrote down, not on paid AI calls, which is why it can cost so little.
Photo and video archives fill up with copies: the same file in a backup folder, an export folder, a Downloads folder. Most duplicate finders are desktop apps you install and pay for. I wanted one that runs in the browser and never uploads your files.
HelmDir hashes the files in a folder you pick, right in your browser, and sends only the list of paths, sizes and hashes. It groups files with identical content, suggests one to keep, and lists the rest. It never deletes or moves anything; you do that yourself.
What works today
- Hashes the files in a folder you select inside your browser, without uploading the files themselves
- Groups files with identical content, suggests which copy to keep, and shows how many bytes removing the rest would free
What it doesn't do yet
Gemini 2 (MacPaw) still does things HelmDir doesn't:
- Finding similar photos that aren't byte-for-byte identical.
- Removing duplicates for you. HelmDir only lists them.
- Scanning Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive directly.
- Hashing files over 500MB automatically in the browser.
What it costs
| What you get | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini 2 (MacPaw) Lowest price shown on the Gemini 2 page | A Mac app that finds exact duplicates and similar files, and removes the ones you choose. | $1.95/mo |
| HelmDir | Folder hashing in the browser and exact-duplicate grouping, no account needed. | Free |
Gemini 2 (MacPaw)'s price is from their pricing page as of October 29, 2026. Prices change, so check theirs before you compare.
Open HelmDir— Johnny