5 best file comparison tool for Mac

Writers, web developers and programmers often need to compare different versions of the same code or text to track changes. But finding manual changes is not a simple task. As a document becomes longer and more complex, you can easily make comparison errors and waste more time.

The file comparison tool helps you compare and merge the differences between two (or more) versions of the same file. There are different types of utilities, each adapted for specific types of data and file formats. Today's article will look at some of the best file comparison apps for macOS.

1. Meld

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Meld is a simple merge and finder. The intuitive and neat user interface puts all the functions of this tool into one handy menu. Meld has many customizable settings to make comparing files easy and fast. On first launch, the app gives you an option to choose a comparison module.

To start the comparison, click the File module and select your file from the Finder . Meld will display them side by side. Any differences that appear between them are highlighted to make individual changes more visible.

On the sides of the panel, you will see two vertical bars with colored blocks. They give you a complete overview of all changes, such as insertion, deletion, change or opposition. Click an arrow in a segment to copy or merge one block in one file with another.

Meld's unique features include:

1. Changes update in real time, no matter how large the file.
2. The application integrates with source control systems, such as Git, Bazaar, Mercurial and SVN to perform version control tasks.
3. The text editor supports line numbers, spaces, syntax highlighting and text wrapping for a user-friendly experience.
4. With text filters, you can skip the part of the text that fits a specific pattern or even use regular expressions to create complex filters. To try them, go to Preferences and turn on Text Filters.

Download Meld (Free):

 http://meldmerge.org/ 

2. Helix P4 Diff and Merge Tool

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Helix P4V is an enterprise version control software for managing source files, websites, manuals, operating system code, etc. P4V is a client for Helix Core Server to store all data and is located in a warehouse. You open the files and edit them in your workspace.

When finished, send the modified file back to the repository or shared repository, where it keeps track of all modifications to the file. P4V integrates with Helix P4 Diff and Merge Tool. The purple icon and its color scheme accentuate the input file, while its green icon and palette highlight the output file.

P4Merge displays files side by side, with the center as a base file. This allows you to compare two files with a base file to find differences and select the text you want in the merged file. To navigate, select the Previous or Next buttons .

Unique features of Helix P4 include:

1. P4Merge works with different image formats, including PNG, GIF, JPG, etc. It highlights identical areas in gray and the yellow difference in both images. You can also compare file resolution, depth, size and many other details.
2. Integration with P4V can reveal the entire file modification history, plus what has changed in a specific time frame. This is useful when dealing with errors.
3. Visualize differences and resolve conflicts due to parallel or simultaneous development through color coding, syntax highlighting, line numbers and patches.

Download Helix P4 Diff and Merge (Free for up to 5 users and 20 workspaces).

3. Beyond Compare

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Beyond Compare is another utility to compare files and directories. With a few colorful buttons and interfaces, this app tries to maintain a balance between features and performance. On the first launch, select the comparison module for a specific task from Text, RTF, Hex, MP3, Tables, etc.

The application will display your files side by side. It uses red text to highlight important differences and blue for minor changes. You can adjust these colors to suit your preferences.

Overview thumbnails on the left pane display an intuitive color map. To navigate, use the Next and Previous buttons to highlight all the differences. Then use the arrow buttons to merge the files. Click the Save button located at the right of the window to save the file.

What Beyond Compare provides include:

1. All comparison tasks start with a session that you can customize and save to open later. These things give you great flexibility and save time.
2. Session settings that control these comparisons are called Rules. They control you on how each session works and help you discover significant differences.
3. The Table Compare session compares text files with tabular data. You can sort and align the data on the main fields, then compare them by cell.
4. The application provides script processing to automate common tasks. For more details, visit the Scripting section of the Help page at:

 http://www.scootersoftware.com/v4help/index.html?scripts.html 

1. Compare files in remote memory via Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, OneDrive and Source Control Managers.

Download Beyond Compare ($ 30 - 690,000VND Standard | $ 60 - 1,380,000VND Pro | Free trial version):

 http://www.scootersoftware.com/download.php 

4. DeltaWalker

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DeltaWalker from Deltopia is a visual cross-platform visual differences and comparison tool. Intuitive interface, with just a few menu buttons. DeltaWalker is more dependent on image parameters to help you find the difference. This tool supports Office, Java Archive, ZIP, XML, PDF, etc. . Speaking of which, TipsMake.com has mentioned how to compare 2 Excel files by other methods.

Click the Browse button in the input field to display the File Open dialog box . On the other hand, you can open files locally or remotely via SFTP, HTTPS, WebDAV, Dropbox or Google Drive. The application uses colors to indicate changes such as insertion, deletion, alteration and opposition in blocks.

You will also see connected lines related to the block to simplify the result. The vertical color band on the right panel displays a summary with a visual miniaturized map containing all the differences. Click the arrow buttons (which appear when hovering) to merge files.

Unique functions of DeltaWalker include:

1. One click integration with Git, Bazaar, Mercurial and SVN. Go to Preferences> SCM Integration and switch the SCM you choose to use them.
2. The Find and Replace feature helps you find specific characters and use regular expressions for more advanced cases. Or use shortcuts to access them without opening the Find / Replace window .
3. The Undo / Redo feature is linked to track changes between editors. When you undo (undo), changes occur in reverse order, applied to all editors.
4. The application is capable of exporting file comparison reports in HTML and Patch format. The patch contains differences between one or more different file pairs, which is very useful for application developers.

Download DeltaWalker ($ 40 - 920,000VND Standard | $ 60 - 1,380,000VND Pro | Try it free).

5. Araxis Merge

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Merge is a complex compare and merge tool. It works with many file formats, including Office, PDF, XML, HTML, Binary and source files. This makes the app suitable for creative professionals and different use cases.

Click the Browse button to open the file. Merge uses text extraction filters and formatting tools to help you see the changes more clearly.

Go to Preferences> File Comparisons> File Types to configure filters for different file types. The overview strip next to the scroll bar shows the change position. And the status bar shows you a summary of the changes added, removed, changed and deleted.

There are two layout options: Vertical and Horizontal. Use the Previous or Next buttons (or shortcuts) to navigate the file. Alternatively, click the small merge button on each block to copy, replace or merge files.

Unique features of Araxis Merge include:

1. A plugin file system gives you access to files in Git, Perforce depot, SVN and Time Machine Volume.
2. Drag and drop blocks of text in either table to edit the file. Merge analyzes the changes in the background and saves them. At any time, you can undo the result.
3. Create markers to indicate which lines you have modified. Add bookmarks to remind yourself or put a comment to note important information.
4. The synchronization link feature can help you identify similarities between files to simplify comparison results. This works best with complex files.
5. Export file comparison reports as HTML, XML and Unix Diff. This feature is very useful for future checking, archiving and sharing.

Download Araxis Merge ($ 129 - 2,995,000 VND Standard | $ 269 - 6,246,000 VND Pro | Try it free).

6. Use Notepad ++ to compare files

There are many reasons to use a file comparison tool. A software developer may need syntax highlighting and output, while a writer may prefer a more intuitive differences comparison tool for collating texts. The applications discussed here include all use cases. Try them out and see which one fits your needs.

If you use the excellent Notepad ++ text editor, then you can easily compare files with a plugin. This tool has rich features and is suitable for both casual users and programmers.

Wish you find yourself the right tool!