WinMerge compares files and folders, showing differences in a visual layout so changes can be inspected and merged. It can run as a standalone application or serve as an external comparison tool for another program.
File comparison panes
Open two text files to view their differences in side-by-side panes. WinMerge marks changed lines and differences within lines, while a separate difference pane provides a focused view of the current change. A location pane maps where differences occur across the compared files.
For more involved comparisons, three-way mode displays changes across three versions and supports visual merging. The editor includes syntax highlighting, line numbers, and word wrap. WinMerge also detects moved lines, which can clarify how content shifted between versions.
Folder comparison and merging
Compare folders to find files that differ or appear in only one location. Comparisons can include subfolders, and results can be displayed as a tree. A quick comparison uses file sizes and dates; regular-expression filters can include or exclude items by name or path.
- Review folder contents before synchronizing or merging changes.
- Create patch files in Normal, Context, or Unified format.
- Open conflict files to inspect and resolve competing edits.
Images, tables, and other formats
WinMerge also compares images, highlighting differing areas with blocks or by overlaying the pictures. CSV and TSV files can be viewed as tables, with text wrapping available within columns.
Text comparisons support Windows, Unix, and Mac line-ending formats, along with Unicode. Archive files can be opened through 7-Zip support, and plugins extend the program's handling of comparison tasks. Shell integration lets users start comparisons from Windows.
Pros
- Three-way text comparison with visual merging
- Folder comparisons support filters and subfolders
- CSV and TSV files appear in table format
- Can create Normal, Context, and Unified patch files
Cons
- Archive file support uses a 7-Zip plugin
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Can WinMerge compare three versions of a file?
Yes. Three-way comparison displays differences across three text files and supports visual merging.
Can WinMerge compare folders and their subfolders?
Yes. Folder comparison can include subfolders and show results in a tree-style view.
What kinds of files can WinMerge compare besides text?
It can compare images and display CSV and TSV contents in table form. Archive support is available through 7-Zip.
