Clusters is a background file compressor, which uses FS-compression technology to transparently compress the folders you configure it to process. OS X will read those files normally, they will just take less disk space.
What's New
Version 1.7.2:
- Fixed a couple of issues with the menu icon when running on OS X 10.9.
- Important: Running Clusters version 1.6.x (or earlier) on OS X 10.9 may trigger a serious incompatibility problem that could cause some of your files to appear as if they had zero bytes (your data is still there, though; it just looks like it cannot be accessed). If you used an old version of Clusters in any of the Mavericks developer betas and run into this issue, please upgrade and contact support@latenitesoft.com so we can help you fix the affected files.
- The menu icon can be hidden again.
- When using multiple displays, the menu icon no longer appears several times.
Version 1.7.2:
- Fixed a couple of issues with the menu icon when running on OS X 10.9.
- Important: Running Clusters version 1.6.x (or earlier) on OS X 10.9 may trigger a serious incompatibility problem that could cause some of your files to appear as if they had zero bytes (your data is still there, though; it just looks like it cannot be accessed). If you used an old version of more...
Requirements
Intel, OS X 10.6 or later
Intel, OS X 10.6 or later
(27)
| Downloads:14,769 |
| Version Downloads:557 |
| Type:Utilities : Compression |
| License:Shareware |
| Date:18 Oct 2013 |
| Platform:Intel 64 / Intel 32 / OS X |
| Price: $12.95 |
Overall (Version 1.x):   |
| Features: |
| Ease of Use: |
| Value: |
| Stability: |
Displaying 1-10 of 50
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Clusters is a background file compressor, which uses FS-compression technology to transparently compress the folders you configure it to process. OS X will read those files normally, they will just take less disk space.
+40
Kenbotwinick reviewed on 10 Feb 2014
freshlesh reviewed on 23 Jan 2014
+1
+1389
Jazzyguy reviewed on 19 Oct 2013
+13
Unicorn reviewed on 03 Jul 2013
This app should run completely seamlessly in the background, with adjustable priority/speed. It also should take fewer resources while doing its job.
The places in which you'd gain the most space would be documents, pictures, and apps. Videos, archives, audio, and other extremely large files will barely get any change. (the /system and /library is also excluded).
On Average I'd say that you'd gain 10-15% more space on your hard drive. However, I would not recommend this for SSD users because this is specifically meant for a HD.
I would recommend extra storage over compressing, because if you lose that much data it's bad, and there's most likely some files on your HD that you haven't used in months. I would recommend investing in a small SSD and replacing the disc drive with it, or a 64G SanDisk class 10 SDXC card. Running the OS/apps from either is well worth an investment, especially for the new MBP or Air.
All in all, this app is really is good if one were too lazy to sort through their data or cannot afford another storage device. It's okay for students/businesses if they have no other options. If it's just out of curiosity or wanting to make the best use of your HD, it's really not worth it in the long-run.
+11
Torgobob reviewed on 30 May 2013
According to what they told me my email had gotten lost in a sea of spam...
They worked with me and ended up releasing an update which fixed my issues. It's now working fine for me...
+1
+110
+1
+226
Eric-Woehler reviewed on 30 Apr 2013
Two minor glitches/issues - the Total Savings as reported by the app is a cumulative total over time, so the longer it has been on your machine, the greater the Total is, so use this figure with caution.
The other GUI hiccup is I have a folder listed that is greyed out - it is listed as "Other" with "Savings obtained from previously selected folders" - presumably from my previous MacBook before I migrated to current MacBook. I can't delete this entry when I believe I should be able to ..
Otherwise can recommend this app - it does what is says it will do, and for me, no issues with CPU spikes etc as reported by others.
+2
+138
I've heard of 30 day trials, 14 day trials even 1 day trials but this is daft.
-13
VictorPrijker reviewed on 16 Apr 2013
One issue I have is about virtual machine image disks, like the one from VMware or Parallels. Should I allow Clusters to compress them?
+11
Torgobob reviewed on 04 Apr 2013
Both the menu bar icon and the system preference show clusters is not actively compressing anything, but after an extended period of being 'idle', clusters is somehow consuming the bulk of my idle CPU...
I emailed support with no response...
+11
When I installed the app I had only added my Applications folder, as I found a long time ago that larger Apps load faster when compressed with Clusters...
I added a second folder and ever since then Clusters has behaved normally. It appears if you have only one folder it consumes a large volume of the CPU bandwidth, but if you have 2 folders in the list it will behave as expected...
+11
The process has gone back to consuming an average of 125% CPU bandwidth while in idle...
No idea what it's doing but that is a lot of CPU bandwidth seemingly being lost...
+44
One note: It says I only saved about 500 MBs in System Preferences however in the Menu Bar it says 18 gigs.
+3
+370
+45
Antoinesynopsis rated on 05 May 2013
+261
Gryphonent rated on 26 Nov 2011
Jeff Brown rated on 26 Sep 2011