Programs that can compare documents can be very useful, and they will also save you time and effort. You can find many such applications on the Internet, but this article presents the best utilities for comparing two documents.
ABBYY FineReader 14
ABBYY FineReader 14 is one of the best programs for comparing text files. Using this utility, you will get the opportunity to find differences in the text between the two versions of the document. Thanks to FineReader, you won’t have to laboriously and painstakingly match each line of text. The function “Compare documents” can reveal the difference between versions of a document in various file formats, including PDF, Word and many others.
Here are the most impressive features that come with this program:
- With ABBYY FineReader 14 you can automatically compare files, which will save your time and effort.
- This software allows you to detect all the differences in the text between two versions of the same document in just a few seconds.
- FineReader is an incredibly intuitive utility that allows you to very productively compare two text documents.
- Using FineReader, you can compare two versions of text in documents of different formats, including Microsoft Office files, PDF files, scanned documents, and others. Of course, you can also compare files of the same type.
- ABBYY FineReader 14 supports text comparisons in 35 languages. The program is able to automatically detect the language of the document. No difference between documents will go unnoticed.
- FineReader selects inconsistent elements of two documents and places the texts next to each other, which makes it easy to notice the difference in the files.
- Only those differing elements are highlighted that affect the meaning of the content, excluding minor differences.
The result of file comparison can be saved in Word or PDF formats, and minor differences can be ignored and removed from the report before it is saved.
Examdiff
ExamDiff is a free file comparison program that can automatically detect differences in documents. The program is compatible with Windows and is ideal for comparing files. It is easy to use and has a number of useful features:
- Using this software, you can compare directories and binaries.
- You can perform tripartite splitting and merging, as well as edit files within comparison areas.
- You can highlight syntax and ignore comments.
- No need to specify the name of both files. All you have to do is enter the name of the folder that contains one of the files for comparison.
- The software has an auto-selection function that is capable of storing matching pairs of files.
- ExamDiff can automatically detect file changes and request a re-comparison of documents.
- You can also use the drag and drop function, with which you can drag one or two files into the software window.
- The program has a fully customizable file extension filter.
Winmerge
What kind of program is this? WinMerge is a software for comparing and combining documents in Windows. The program is able to compare both files and folders and shows the result of the comparison in a visual and understandable text format.
Here are the best features that are included in this software:
- WinMerge supports Windows and has a tabbed interface.
- This is a flexible editor with syntax highlighting, line numbering and word wrap.
- WinMerge can also show differences in two vertical areas.
- File filters allow you to exclude and include different elements.
- The program can also compare files of one folder, which in turn can include subdirectories.
- The comparison results are presented in the form of a tree.
Other salient features include shell integration, plugin support, a localized interface, and an online guide.
Araxis merge
Araxis Merge has two versions. It is important to note that only the professional version provides tripartite comparison, integration and all related functions. On the other hand, the standard version is identical, but has only two-way integration and comparison.
Here are the other features that are included in this program:
- Purchasing a license will allow you to use both versions of Merge.
- You can compare huge files using the 64-bit version of the program, and you can also use the huge amounts of memory that are available on 64-bit systems.
- You can identify deletions, inserts and all kinds of changes in different versions of the source code, as well as configuration, text and web files.
- The program offers you the opportunity to save time by directly downloading and comparing popular file formats.
- You can also copy text from other applications and paste it into the text comparison window.
Groupdocs
GroupDocs allows developers to easily improve their online, computer and mobile applications, as well as the ability to display, comment, convert, compare and combine documents.
Here are the best features that are included in GroupDocs:
- You can get a summary report of the differences by comparing two versions of the same document using the file comparison API on any cross-platform application.
- Comparison GroupDocs for .NET is for Windows programs and any type of application based on the .NET Framework 2.0 or later.
- You can download a free trial version of this program to see if it suits you.
Total commander
As an application for comparing files, you can use Total Commander. What is Total Commander for? This is one of the best utilities for working with various files. Total Commander allows you to perform any actions with files and folders in two clicks, and using this program you can compare two documents.
The comparison result will be highlighted in the background, and two files will open in neighboring windows, where it will be more convenient to edit them.
Total Commander can also be used as a program to synchronize files. You can do this using the "Sync Directories" item in the "Commands" menu.
Windows Command Prompt
If you just need to compare files without editing, you can use the standard Windows 8 command line.
To do this, simply go to the "Start" menu, enter cmd in the search bar and run the found cmd.exe application. Then enter fc / NXZ, where X is the path to the first document (for example, C: \ Documents \ text1.txt) and Z is the path to the second (for example C: \ Documents \ text2.txt). The result should be a similar line: fc /NC:\Documents\text1.txt C: \ Documents \ text2.txt.
After entering the string, press Enter to start the file scan.
If there are few differences in the files, then this method will help to identify them, but with a large number of differences between documents, it is better to download another program.
Notepad ++ with plugins
Notepad ++ is a program that allows you to edit text files. It supports a large number of programming languages and is suitable for programmers as well as for those who lack the modest functionality of the standard Notepad.
In addition to the main functions, Notepad ++ can be used as a program for comparing files. True, for this you need to install the plugin. After installing the plugin on Notepad, you can compare the files you are interested in.
Results will be displayed on two separate panels, and the different elements are highlighted in different colors. If you wish, you can edit the files and save the changes. The program can be downloaded for free, there is also a version of Notepad in Russian.
Diffuse
Diffuse was developed specifically for comparing code. It supports dozens of programming languages and automatically uses the backlight when recognizing the language.
Unfortunately, the program does not have the ability to turn off the color backlight, and some users may not like the excessive use of color, which interferes with work.
The program also supports combining and editing selected files.
Aptdiff
AptDif is a program for comparing files on Windows. When the utility starts, a window pops up with which you can select two files for comparison.
After that, both selected files are displayed in the interface. The application uses colors to highlight added, deleted, or changed content in any file.
You can switch the arrangement of windows from vertical to horizontal, if you want, and edit one or both files directly in the program window.
Diffmerge
DiffMerge does not display a file selection dialog at startup. You need to select one of the supported modes from the File menu to get started.
File diff and Merge work similarly to other file comparison tools. If you select Diff, both files are displayed next to each other. The program uses red color to highlight the differences between the two selected files.
You can immediately edit the files in the program, export the differences, or use the merge tool to combine the data.
On the other hand, the Folder diff function compares files in selected folders and selects identical and different documents.
Kiff3
Another program to compare files. When KDiff3 starts up, a window will pop up that is used to download one, two or three files for comparison. Open files are displayed next to each other.
The program uses colors to indicate changes on both sides. Plain black on white text indicates identical lines or characters, while green, blue or red colors indicate that the content does not match the other file.
In addition to options for comparing files with each other, you can also combine selected content in various ways. For example, you can prioritize content in one of the files or configure the program to automatically fix the main differences in order to save time.
Meld
To use Meld, you need to install Python 2 on your computer. Meld works with Python 2 and will install the necessary components if you do not uncheck the box during installation.
The software supports two-way and three-way file and folder comparisons.
It highlights the differences between the downloaded files directly and uses colors for rendering in the interface window. From most similar programs, Meld is distinguished by a way of visualizing comparison results. The result is presented as blocks connected to each other in both files.
Meld supports file merging and many other options, such as tabs, to load multiple comparisons at once.