eza vs Dust: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between eza and Dust comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Dust wins this matchup. Our overall Terminal Tools pick is Visual Studio Code. Our free Terminal Tools pick is Visual Studio Code. Pick eza if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
eza
A modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems.
Best for you if:
- • You want more feature-rich than the traditional 'ls' command
- • You want improved user experience with better defaults and visual cues
Dust
An intuitive command-line tool for visualizing disk usage in Rust.
Best for you if:
- • You want more intuitive and visually appealing than 'du'
- • You want quickly identifies disk space hogs
| At a Glance | eza | Dust |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose eza or Dust?
Choose eza if
A modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems.
- You want more feature-rich than the traditional 'ls' command
- You want improved user experience with better defaults and visual cues
Choose Dust if
An intuitive command-line tool for visualizing disk usage in Rust.
- You want more intuitive and visually appealing than 'du'
- You want quickly identifies disk space hogs
| Feature | eza | Dust |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools | Terminal ToolsFile Management |
In-Depth Analysis
eza
A modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems.
Strengths
- +More feature-rich than the traditional 'ls' command
- +Improved user experience with better defaults and visual cues
- +Fast and lightweight due to being written in Rust
- +Actively maintained with ongoing bug fixes and improvements
- +Wide availability across various operating systems and package managers
Weaknesses
- -Requires installation as it's not a default system utility
- -Command-line options are similar but not identical to 'ls', requiring a slight learning curve for some users
Key features
Dust
An intuitive command-line tool for visualizing disk usage in Rust.
Dust's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- +More intuitive and visually appealing than 'du'
- +Quickly identifies disk space hogs
- +No need for additional sorting or filtering commands
- +Highly configurable with numerous options
- +Available on multiple platforms (Cargo, Homebrew, Snap, Anaconda, Scoop, etc.)
Weaknesses
- -Snap version has limited file access (only /home directory)
- -Requires Rust for compilation if not using pre-built binaries
Key features
Pricing: eza vs Dust
| Plan | eza | Dust |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Open Source |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on eza pricing and Dust pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: eza
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are terminal tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Dust
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
eza
- Choose if you want a modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems
The Bottom Line
Dust wins this matchup. Our overall Terminal Tools pick is Visual Studio Code. Our free Terminal Tools pick is Visual Studio Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eza or Dust better?
Dust is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are eza and Dust used for?
eza: A modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems.. Dust: An intuitive command-line tool for visualizing disk usage in Rust..
What does eza cost vs Dust?
eza is completely free. Dust is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.