Mac storage basics · Browsers and everyday apps
Why do apps like Slack, Discord, Notion and VS Code each use so much space?
Short answer: Many are built with web technology and bundle their own browser engine plus their own cache. Clear caches in each app's settings, leave unused workspaces, or use the web version of rarely used apps.
Many popular desktop apps are built with web technology and ship their own copy of a browser engine. Each one carries that engine, plus its own cache of images, files and messages — so five such apps means five separate browser-sized footprints and five caches.
What you can do:
- Use the app's own settings to clear its cache or downloaded files where it offers that.
- Sign out of workspaces or servers you no longer use, which drops their cached content.
- Remove apps you only use occasionally and use their web version instead.
The cache grows back with use; that's expected. See also clearing Slack, Teams or Zoom data.