Fast Local Scanning
Scan external drives quickly and turn file names, paths, sizes, dates, and drive details into a practical local index.
Every drive. One searchable catalog.
Scan external drives locally to create a searchable index, so you can find projects even when the original drive is unplugged.
RAID Archive 048 TB
Travel Backup4 TB
Photo Vault6 TB
Field Kit SSD1 TB
summer campaign126 files
RAID Archive 04
Footage / RAW / Day 03
Studio SSD B
Exports / Client review
18 drives · 42 TB indexed · metadata only
01 / Scan locally
Catalog.
Point Drivefile at any external disk and it builds a local, metadata-only index. Names, paths, sizes, dates, and drive details. Originals never leave the drive.
Scanning
Metadata onlyRAID Archive 04
812,400 files indexed
Studio SSD B
94,210 files indexed
Travel Backup
Queued
02 / Search everything
Find.
Search every scanned drive from one place and get an answer in milliseconds, even when the disk that holds the file is back on the shelf.
Search across drives
summer campaign
RAID Archive 04
Footage / RAW / Day 03
Studio SSD B
Exports / Client review
03 / Reclaim space
Clean.
See possible wasted space across drives. Likely duplicate groups surface automatically, so you reclaim terabytes before buying another disk.
Possible wasted space
1.8 TB foundA_CAM_DAY03_0412.braw
3 copies across 2 drives
84.2 GB
client_master_v9.mov
2 copies across 2 drives
41.7 GB
selects_export.zip
4 copies across 3 drives
18.3 GB
Features
Efficient drive management
Efficient drive management
Practical tools for scanning, organizing, searching, and cleaning up creative drive libraries without uploading original media.
Instant Cross-Drive Search
Search across indexed drives in moments, even when the disk that holds the file is unplugged or back on the shelf.
Efficient Metadata Indexing
Drivefile stores metadata by default, keeping original media on your drives while still making your archive searchable.
Image Thumbnail Previews
Generate lightweight image thumbnails for visual context, so you can recognize files faster without opening the originals.
Duplicate Cleanup
Spot likely duplicate files across drives and review cleanup opportunities before you waste more space on backups.
Custom Drive Organization
Customize drive records with colors, tags, clients, notes, and project context so your archive is easier to organize and browse.
Cloud sync
Take your drive
catalog with you
Drivefile Cloud keeps your scanned drive indexes synced across desktop, web, and mobile, so you can search your catalog before touching a drive. Original files stay on your SSDs and hard drives. Cloud Sync only stores searchable metadata: paths, dates, sizes, and drive summaries.
* Subscription required
Personal search
Access your own drive catalog from desktop, web, and mobile.
Workspace search
Share scanned drive indexes with your team, agency, or studio.
Metadata only
Sync the catalog, not the original files.
Workspace
Shared metadata index
2-way sync
12 drives
8 drives
5 drives
9 drives
24 drives
6 drives
Workspaces
Shared search
for teams.Shared search for you and your team
Create one place for photographers, editors, and operators to find which drive holds the file. Members can scan their own disks, sync metadata, and search the shared workspace.
Members
2-50+
Desktop App
Included
Pricing
Individuals buy Drivefile once. Teams subscribe to a shared workspace.
Personal users buy the scanner app. Team and Agency plans include the scanner while the workspace subscription is active.
Buy the desktop app once, then add Cloud Sync for access on the go.
Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Drivefile, free preview access, Personal, Cloud Sync, Team and Agency Workspace plans.
What is Drivefile?
Drivefile is a desktop and web app for cataloging external drives. It scans file and folder metadata locally so you can later search where files live, even when the original drive is unplugged.
Does Drivefile upload or copy my files?
No. Drivefile is designed around metadata. It records names, paths, sizes, file types, dates, drive details, and scan summaries. Original media files stay on your drives unless a future feature explicitly asks for permission.
What can I do for free?
You can scan one drive, browse and search that scanned drive, and see a useful storage and possible wasted-space summary. Exact duplicate action lists, additional drive scans, reveal actions, exports, and review workflows are paid features.
What do I unlock with Personal?
The one-time purchase unlocks the desktop scanner for individual use, local drive indexing, local search, and two desktop activations.
How do Team and Agency plans work?
Teams and agencies subscribe to a shared searchable workspace. Scanner access is included for workspace members while the subscription is active, so they do not need separate Personal licenses.
Can I browse a drive after unplugging it?
Yes. Once a drive has been scanned, Drivefile keeps its folder tree and metadata available so you can browse and search the catalog without reconnecting the physical drive.
How does Drivefile find possible wasted space?
Drivefile compares file metadata such as file name and size to identify likely duplicate groups. It is a practical cleanup signal rather than a byte-for-byte forensic duplicate checker.
Do I need an internet connection?
The desktop scanner is local-first. You need internet for account sign-in, purchase activation, cloud sync, and downloading updates, but local scanning and browsing are designed to work on your Mac.
How many devices are included?
Personal includes two desktop activations. Team and Agency scanner access is tied to an active workspace subscription.
Who is Drivefile for?
Drivefile is built for people with lots of external drives: filmmakers, editors, photographers, designers, producers, studios, and anyone who needs to find old project files without plugging in every disk.