Text Compare
Compare two texts side by side and highlight the differences.
How the Comparison Works
The tool uses a diff algorithm similar to what Git uses for code comparison. Added text shows up in green. Removed text shows up in red. Unchanged lines provide context around the changes. You can switch between side-by-side view and inline (unified) view depending on what's easier to read.
Line-Level vs Word-Level vs Character-Level
There are three levels of comparison. Line-level shows entire lines that changed - best for code. Word-level highlights specific words that differ - easier to read for regular writing. Character-level catches tiny changes like a single punctuation mark or typo. Pick the level that makes sense for what you're comparing.
Real-World Uses
- Comparing document drafts to see what your editor changed
- Reviewing code changes when you don't have a Git client handy
- Checking contracts for subtle wording changes ("shall" vs "may" can have big legal implications)
- Verifying that a find-and-replace operation worked correctly
- Comparing expected vs actual output when debugging software
- Checking student submissions against original source material
When to Use Desktop Software Instead
For quick text comparisons, this online tool works great. But if you're comparing Word documents, PDFs or entire folder structures, desktop tools like Beyond Compare or Litera (popular in law firms) are better suited. For code, most developers rely on Git's built-in diff or VS Code's compare feature.
How to Use
- Paste your original text in the left panel.
- Paste the modified text in the right panel.
- Differences are highlighted automatically with color coding.
- Green shows additions, red shows deletions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I compare code with this tool?
Any text works - source code, config files, scripts. The diff output looks like what Git or a GitHub pull request shows.
Is the comparison case-sensitive?
By default it is - "Hello" and "hello" get flagged as different. Toggle case-insensitive mode when capitalization differences don't matter for your comparison.
Can I ignore whitespace differences?
The "ignore whitespace" option skips those differences - most useful when two code samples differ only in indentation style.
Does it work with Word documents or PDFs?
This tool compares plain text only. For Word or PDF comparison, copy the content and paste it as text. For native document comparison, tools like Beyond Compare or Adobe Acrobat Pro are better options.
What is the difference between side-by-side and inline view?
Side-by-side shows both versions next to each other. Inline (unified) view merges everything into one column with additions and deletions marked. Side-by-side is better for short texts. Inline is easier for long documents.