Looking for an easy way to understand the differences and similarities between two text documents? We recommend using a diff checker. It’s a nifty tool that will do all the tedious work for you in seconds.

Although there are many desktop applications for different operating systems, you can try one of the best online difference checker tools below, as they are web-based and can be accessed from anywhere. what platform.

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1. Difference Checker

Difference Checker is hailed as the best tool in its class. It is able to compare text files, images, PDF files, Excel sheets and entire folders. Although it is fully functional in its online state, you can download a desktop version for your Mac, Windows or Linux machine.

The tool provides unified diff visualization and character-level merging for those who want detailed information about every change made to their file or project over time. There’s even a dark mode feature that lets you stay productive in low-light environments without straining your eyes or wasting precious battery life.

Diffchecker is not without flaws. For one thing, its ability to check differences between images is shoddy at best and you won’t want to rely on it for important work. Also, checking PDFs for differences takes much longer than text documents.

Overall, Diffchecker is perfect for making quick changes or catching up on work on the go.

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2. Text comparison

Perfect for bloggers and writers, Text comparison features a no-frills user interface. Simply paste some text into one field and another body text into the other, then click the compare button and let the tool do the rest.

Text Compare has a handy “Email this comparison” option that allows you to quickly email yourself an email with the results of the texts you are comparing. It lacks some of the more complex features offered by its competitors, such as the ability to compare PDFs, Excel sheets, and other file types. Also, you can’t upload files to check for differences, and you’ll have to copy and paste plain text each time, which can be tedious.

Fortunately, Text Compare delivers where it counts, with its greatest strengths being its simplicity and ability to get the job done without spending a dime.

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3. Edit block

Edit block forgoes complexity in favor of a clean, fuss-free aesthetic. It lets you upload the files you want to compare, meaning you won’t have to resort to copying and pasting text every time you want to use the tool. In addition to TXT, DOC and DOCX files, Editpad also accepts PDF files, which can be very convenient.

Another neat thing about Editpad is the on-screen banners that display the percentage of file verification status. The font size is comfortable to read and the mustard yellow highlighting is easy on the eyes.

The tool does not have any advanced features and the captcha requirement can be rather annoying, especially if you need to compare multiple files back to back. Flaws aside, Editpad is still a great diff checking tool that’s sure to appeal to both beginners and veterans alike.

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4. W3Docs

W3Docs is quite different from the diff-checking tools we’ve discussed so far. It is designed primarily to show the differences between different lines of code, making it an invaluable tool for programmers. That’s not to say it doesn’t work with regular text.

Once you type or copy-paste text snippets into the Difference Checker for comparison, the tool will highlight the differences with red and green colors by default. Its simple user interface is definitely a plus, and its customizable multi-color highlights are a great way to make the differences easier to see. Another great thing is the full-width layout of the site which gives you quite a bit of real estate to work with.

Unfortunately, the website is known to crash from time to time. The tool also lacks a merge and save feature which could have been very useful for coders and writers. Minor drawbacks aside, W3Docs is a fantastic diff checker that programmers are likely to find more appealing.

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We end our list with AppDevTool Difference Checker tool: Another solution designed for developers. It supports HTML and CSS, as well as an impressive repertoire of programming languages ​​including C#, C/C++, Go, Java, JavaScript, JSON, PHP, Python, Ruby, and XML. With syntax highlighting, you can easily identify differences between lines of code or normal text. The default dark mode layout is easy on the eyes.

The tool only supports plain text and doesn’t have drag and drop functionality, so you’ll have to copy and paste strings every time. Also, the bulky sidebar on the left can be rather distracting, and the tool would benefit from a little more color.

If these slight inconveniences don’t matter too much to you and you’re looking for a diff checker that can handle code, you should definitely try AppDevTool’s offering.

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FriFrequently Asked Questions

1. Can difference checking tools help detect plagiarism?

Difference checkers are not effective tools for detecting plagiarism because they are only able to compare text that you already have.

Plagiarism checkers typically work using an advanced database that constantly grows as the tool crawls and indexes web content, allowing it to compare typed text against a vast range of online content. They also have algorithms that can help detect paraphrased content that sounds too similar to previously published material. Keeping all these in mind, you better use a plagiarism checker to detect plagiarism.

2. Is there a mobile version of these difference checking tools?

Unfortunately no. You’ll need to use a web-based or desktop diff checker for now.

Image credit: Unsplash

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