FreeDiff for Windows

User Reviews

• Basic text comparison tool, does what it says

  chas108August 16, 2013

  Pros

  Easy to install Easy to use Accurate

  Cons

  Needs a horizontal scroll bar

  Summary

  I use this to compare two HTML files for changes. It accurately highlights the differences in two side-by-side windows that scroll together. Lines of code that have differences are highlighted in purple. Lines that appear in one file but not the other are highlighted in yellow. In the latter case, the software accurately detects the inserted lines and continues to match up the lines that follow it without errors. Although you can't edit directly in the viewer, there are buttons that allow you to open the files in Notepad and edit them there. However, changes you make in Notepad don't show up in FileDiff, unless you save and reload the files. Biggest drawback is the lack of a horizontal scroll bar. Also, the command to "Print Differences" prints the entire files, not just the differences. And the lines don't wrap when printing, so you can't the whole line of text if it's longer than a page width. A few tweaks would make this a great program, but as it is, I can only give 3 stars. But it's still a helpful utility, and it's free.

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• Useful utility, restricted to pure text files

  BRG1942September 9, 2011

  Pros

  Relatively easy to use. Much easier, for example, than WinMerge, where I eventually gave up trying to use it

  Cons

  The display is not very good when the files being compared have long lines, because there is no left/right scroll button, only an up/down button.

  Summary

  For a basic file compare utility, if you aren't trying to compare Word files or some such, this routine seems a well-designed, easy to use utility. As stated above, I only wish that one could scroll the differences from left to right, but otherwise I am satisfied with this utility for the single purpose for which it was designed. I'd tried using WinMerge earlier, and the interface was so difficult that I gave up on it.

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• Somewhat basic file compare utility

  sumitharMay 26, 2010

  Pros

  Integrates easily with Textpad editor. Nice side by side display

  Cons

  It's really basic. WinMerge seems a lot more powerful. Not really a con, but find the Christianity plug rather intriguing!

  Summary

  Need a small footprint file comparator- you can use this

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• didn't work for me

  larry_manMay 12, 2010

  Pros

  none. Did not work to compare 2 documents in MS Word. Only said they were different but did not show how.

  Cons

  Did not work

  Summary

  Did not work

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• was not worth my effort

  poulstaunAugust 10, 2009

  Pros

  free--to use

  Cons

  single file diff- not for directorys or others with more files

  Summary

  did not stay long with me

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• Did exactly what it said on the tin

  July 30, 2004

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

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• OKish, but needs further work

  May 23, 2004

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  Did compare the 2 text files I wanted it to, but ... a. Desperately needs a horizontal scroll bar. b. Display needs to handle tabs better. c. The search for next difference facility fails to work as it keeps saying "no more differences", yet selecting later lines shows differences do exist (shown in red) at bottom of screen. Better than nothing, but it means a lot of scanning by eye, which sort of defeats the object. Has potential, and comes free, but ...

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• Only Works With Text Files

  April 1, 2004

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  To me, a "file compare" utility should do binaries. That's what I usually need it for!

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• Better alternative to Microsoft's WinDiff

  March 17, 2004

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  This is a very good alternative to the free WinDiff that comes with Visual Studio. I prefer the side-by-side comparison provided by FreeDiff. My only complaint is that you cannot copy selections from the window to the clipboard.

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• Doesn't work

  March 15, 2004

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  Junk... look elsewhere

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