What is Beyond Compare used for?

Beyond Compare is a commercial tool for comparing, merging and synchronizing files, folders, images and tables on Windows, macOS and Linux. It is a good fit for comparing two versions of a codebase, syncing a local folder to an FTP site and reviewing differences in configuration files.

How much does Beyond Compare cost?

Beyond Compare is a paid product with no free plan.

Is Beyond Compare open source?

No. Beyond Compare is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Developer Tools category, open-source options include Tabby, Ghostty and kitty.

What are some alternatives to Beyond Compare?

Beyond Compare competes with Araxis Merge and Kaleidoscope.

Beyond Compare: features, pricing and alternatives

About Beyond Compare

Beyond Compare is a data comparison utility from Scooter Software, used by developers, system administrators and others who need to see what differs between two sets of data. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and covers text files, folders, images and tables.

Comparison focuses on the differences you care about while ignoring the ones you do not, using filters to narrow what is displayed. Merge combines changes from two versions of a file or folder into a single output, and synchronization works across local data, FTP sites and cloud storage. FTP sites, cloud storage and zip files integrate directly into folder comparisons. Version 5 added a dark theme and word wrapping.

Beyond Compare is proprietary software. A free trial can be downloaded, licenses are sold through the vendor's store, and the vendor also provides account tools for managing purchased licenses.

Key features

Folder, text, image and table comparison
Three-way merge of file changes
Synchronization with FTP and cloud storage
Filters to limit differences shown
Zip archive comparison
Dark theme and word wrapping

Good fit for

→Comparing two versions of a codebase
→Syncing a local folder to an FTP site
→Reviewing differences in configuration files

Tags: diff; file-comparison; merge-tool; folder-sync; cross-platform; ftp; developer-tools

Beyond Compare: questions and answers

What is Beyond Compare used for?: Beyond Compare is a commercial tool for comparing, merging and synchronizing files, folders, images and tables on Windows, macOS and Linux. It is a good fit for comparing two versions of a codebase, syncing a local folder to an FTP site and reviewing differences in configuration files.
How much does Beyond Compare cost?: Beyond Compare is a paid product with no free plan.
Is Beyond Compare open source?: No. Beyond Compare is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Developer Tools category, open-source options include Tabby, Ghostty and kitty.
What are some alternatives to Beyond Compare?: Beyond Compare competes with Araxis Merge and Kaleidoscope.