Even working on a computer every day adds those files and documents. The more files there are, the more junk and therefore they need your special attention. You don't want to keep adding duplicate files or lose changes someone else made to the files, do you? Comparing your files at regular intervals is the solution to this.
Manually comparing hundreds of files is a tedious and virtually impossible task. There is a high chance that you are missing out on something. You may even want to double-check the files if there have been any changes made by the hackers! The smartest thing to do here would be to use a file comparison tool to compare files effectively, saving you time.
While apps like Google Drive or Dropbox can help you to some extent by performing file reviews, you should use these services. For this, you would also need an internet connection. Also, you need to use these services and upload files to track the service on a regular basis.
Here we have selected some of the best file comparison tools that make things easier and save time.
AptDiff is freeware that is no longer available now, but is still available for download via some third party websites. Despite being free, it is an advanced and responsive file comparison tool for Windows. It allows you to compare two files (text or binary) to check if any of them are a duplicate. It is downloaded quickly and is easy enough with no complications. From options to customize keyboard shortcuts, get file backups, or customize UI fonts and colors to support multiple languages, there's a lot it's capable of.
Price: free
Those looking for a file comparison tool will find DiffMerge very useful due to its powerful features. The application visually compares files and also merges them on major platforms such as Windows, Mac and Linux. It also graphically represents the changes between the two files. It also features options like intra-line highlighting and full editing support. Likewise, it also shows the changes (merging) between three files, graphically.
It allows files to join automatically when possible and also allows full control over editing the generated file. It also compares the two folders side by side, while showing which files are only present in a single file or the other. It also shows pairs of files that are similar or different.
Price: free
If you're looking for a simple yet powerful graphical tool to help merge and compare text files, Diffuse may be your best bet. It can easily compare random files in parallel by providing the option to manually adjust the row matching and also the option to edit the files directly.
Not only that, it can also recover file modification from Darcs, SVK, Monotone, Git, Mercurial, Bazaar, RCS, Subversion and CVS libraries for comparison and merging. What's more? Line matching can be manually changed by the user, the option for syntax highlighting or easy keyboard navigation are some of its other main features to keep an eye on.
Price: free
It is an easy-to-use file comparison tool that allows you to compare documents. Examdiff is freeware that doesn't require you to mention both filenames, but just entering the directory name for one of the files for comparison should be fine. Among its significant features are the automatic selection function to remember the corresponding files, the automatic detection of file changes and the notification to the users to repeat the file comparison, the quick selection of the two files to be compared, the drag option and drop to add one or two files in the program window or easy edit of both files.
There are other features offered by this tool that you can explore on your Windows platform.
Price: free
Kdiff3 allows you to upload up to 3 files to compare at a time. A prompt appears where you need to upload the files you want to compare. You can view the files next to each other on the interface at a later time. All you have to do is scroll to view them all at once.
The program compares or merges two or three text input files or directories and also displays the results line by line and for each character (!). In addition, it offers an automatic merge option and a built-in editor to easily resolve merge conflicts.
In addition, it provides support for Unicode, UTF-8 and other codecs, as well as KIO on KDE which allows you to access ftp, sftp, fish, smb and more.
Its other main features include difference printing, manual line alignment, and automatic merging of version control history. Best of all, it comes with a responsive graphical user interface.
Price: free
If you are looking for a slightly advanced tool suitable for business, Workshare Compare is perfect. It allows you to compare Word and even PDF (text-based) documents. It can run on browsers, mobile phones, PCs, or it can also be embedded in other document creation, sharing and management platforms.
The program makes sure that it completes the process quickly and accurately, while ensuring that no small changes are lost. Despite the length or complexity of the content, you can easily switch between edits. You can also focus on the edits grouped into categories.
It allows you to compare from Outlook and also to review Word, PDF, Excel and PowerPoint files. What's more? It also gives you the option to compare snippets of text or code, or you can compare two images or tables or, for that matter, any content. The ability to access documents while on the go is one of its other great features.
Price: Free trial available; the pro version starts at $ 15
Winmerge is a free and open source file comparison tool designed for Windows. It helps you compare files and folders, which generate differences in a visual text format that is easy to manage and understand. It is extremely useful for identifying the changes that have taken place between different versions of the project and consequently merging the changes between the different versions.
This program can also be used as an external comparison or merge tool or even as a standalone application. It comes with a tabbed interface, supports Unicode, and handles Windows, Unix and Mac text file formats. Folder comparison, image comparison, version control or shell integration are some of its other main features.
Price: free
Meld is a file comparison tool specially designed for developers. This visual difference and merge tool that allows you to compare version-controlled files, directories, and projects. The program offers a two to three way file and directory comparison. It also supports several well-known version controls. It also helps you review code changes and get patches. What's interesting is that it can also help you determine what's going on within that merger.
It can edit files and comparison updates on the go and also allows you to work effortlessly between differences and conflicts. Syntax highlighting is another of its file comparison features. You can also compare two or three directories for each file, viewing new, missing and changed files. In addition, it can directly open file comparisons and even filter files or directories to avoid displaying false differences.
The program provides support for various version control systems, such as Git, Mercurial, Bazaar and SVN. In addition, it also allows you to start comparing files to analyze changes made, see the status of file versioning, and more. In addition, it automatically merges two files with the help of a common ancestor, marks and displays the base version, locks read-only merge bases to eliminate errors, and much more.
Price: free
Tkdiff is a simple and simple file comparison application that can be used to compare the issue within two files. It works with plain text (plain text) and TCL documents. The best part is that the tool is easy to use and therefore can be handled by any type of user, novice or expert.
It comes with the usual type of interface with a simple design, where you have the option to choose files for comparison using the file browser. You can view the results in a double pane window. Here you can clearly notice the differences found between the contents of the files marked in blue. This is possible thanks to the syntax highlighting function.
Show line numbers, ignore whitespace, synchronize scroll bars and also jump to the first, previous, last or next difference. It can also write a merge file or use a search function when handling huge amounts of data. The program hardly uses the CPU and system memory and thus does not hinder the runtime of other active processes.
Price: free
Diff doc is a simple file comparison tool that helps you compare files quickly, accurately and effortlessly. Whether you are using MS Word, Excel, WordPad, Notepad or any other editor, all you need to do is load the original and modified files, then click the Refresh button to compare the files (or press F5 on your keyboard) and the file comparison shows up immediately.
It also allows you to compare folders to understand exactly which files have changed before doing a detailed file comparison. The application is able to show file differences in two possible views, such as in “All In One” or “Side by Side” mode. The benefits of both views are that switching between them is as smooth as clicking the mouse (or just pressing F6). Finally, there is a wide range of report types and options that help you share the differences found with your colleagues.
Price: Free trial available; upgrade available for $ 399,95
Regular file comparison will not only keep you safe from hackers or modifications you missed, but also frees up the space on your system that the duplicate file would occupy. So, keep your system clean with these super file comparison tools and get maximum performance.
GlobalVision's Docuproof compares two different files to manage the accuracy of the text contained in a work of art, a document, and a packaging development plan. This way you can make sure there are no unexpected changes when your text goes from copying the document to printing.
The automatic correction function helps to avoid even the smallest of mistakes. The program offers several tools that can identify the differences in any language. It makes it much easier to evaluate the text and review the foreign languages you are familiar with.
It also works as a document comparison software, capable of checking the final generated PDF against the original text document. This helps ensure that the comparison is consistent. It allows you to compare PDF documents, two word documents, two text files or files of two different varieties. It can also detect spelling errors, edited, added or removed copy and if the location changes.
From sensitivity to font size, inspecting web pages or checking templates to inspecting tables and handling native files, it offers many features to look out for.
Price: Starts at $ 150 per user
Beyond Compare is another great file comparison tool that uses its smart technology to compare files and folders. Use simple yet powerful commands that highlight the difference you're looking for while ignoring the ones you don't care about. It helps merge changes, sync files, and even produce reports.
What's more? Using this tool, you can also access data (FTP sites, media devices, WebDAV resources, svn repository and cloud storage) anywhere. Above all, it is compatible with all major platforms, such as Windows, Mac and Linux. In addition, it offers built-in comparison viewers for different types of data.
Price: Pro version priced at $ 60, per seat
