Introduction
Need to find differences between two pieces of text? Whether you're comparing contracts, checking code changes, or spot-checking edits, a text comparison tool makes it easy.
In this guide, we'll cover the best free online text diff tools and when to use each one.
When You Need Text Comparison
Text comparison tools are essential for:
• Reviewing document edits before/after
• Finding changes in legal contracts
• Comparing code versions without Git
• Checking if two files are identical
• Proofreading and editing workflows
How Text Diff Works
Text comparison tools use algorithms to find differences line by line (or word by word). The most common approach is based on the 'longest common subsequence' (LCS) algorithm.
Results typically show:
• Green highlighting for additions
• Red highlighting for deletions
• Side-by-side or unified diff views
Which Tool Should You Use?
For quick comparisons: Use ListsCompare's Text Compare tool – paste two texts, click compare, done. Works entirely in your browser.
For code comparison: Use our Code Compare tool with syntax highlighting for popular programming languages.
For documents: Many tools work, but browser-based ones like ours keep your data private since nothing is sent to servers.
Privacy Matters
When comparing sensitive documents, privacy is crucial. Many online tools send your text to servers for processing.
ListsCompare processes everything locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device, making it safe for:
• Legal documents
• Confidential contracts
• Proprietary code
• Personal data
