Text Diff: what this tool is for
Spotting differences between two drafts of an article, legal contract revisions, code snippets, configuration files, or translated passages is tedious and error-prone when attempted manually. Even a single modified number or misplaced comma can have significant legal or technical consequences.
Xorvian's Text Diff Checker provides instant, side-by-side and inline visual comparison between any two texts. Powered by the industry-standard Myers diff algorithm, the tool highlights additions (in green), deletions (in red), and modified sections with pixel-perfect accuracy.
Switch effortlessly between Word-level, Character-level, and Line-level comparison modes depending on whether you are proofreading editorial prose or auditing technical code. Instant statistics report the exact count of added, deleted, and unchanged characters.
100% private, client-side, and free: comparison runs locally inside your web browser. Confidential contracts, proprietary source code, and private drafts are never transmitted across the internet.
No file stored
Nothing is saved on our servers, during or after processing.
Local processing
The computation runs in your browser whenever the technology allows it.
Instant result
No waiting and no export queue: the result appears live.
Free, no account
No sign-up, no daily limit and no intrusive ads.
What this tool gives you
Multiple Granular Diff Modes
Compare texts at the Word level (best for prose and articles), Character level (best for typos and formulas), or Line level (best for code and configs).
Side-by-Side & Inline Visual Views
Toggle between a two-pane side-by-side layout or a unified inline view with clear color-coded highlights for additions (green) and deletions (red).
Real-Time Diff Statistics
View instant metrics showing the exact number of words and characters added, removed, and unchanged between both versions.
Granular Line-by-Line & Inline Word-Level Diffs
Comparison executes in local browser memory. Sensitive NDA contracts, source code, and unpublished drafts never touch remote servers.
One-Click Sample & Clear Actions
Easily swap text panes, load sample comparisons, or clear the workspace with intuitive toolbar buttons.
Side-by-Side Comparison with Red/Green Highlighting
High-performance diff engine compares lengthy documents containing thousands of lines in milliseconds.
Real-world examples
Recommended diff comparison modes across practical editorial and technical tasks:
How to use Text Diff
Paste Original and Modified Texts
Paste your original source version into the left/top editor and your revised version into the right/bottom editor.
Select Your Diff Mode
Choose between 'Words' (prose), 'Characters' (typos), or 'Lines' (code) depending on your comparison needs.
Choose Visual Layout
Switch between 'Split View' (side-by-side columns) or 'Unified View' (inline merged stream).
Inspect Differences & Copy
Review color-coded additions (green) and deletions (red), and copy the diff summary as needed.
Tips and mistakes to avoid
Auditing Legal Contract Amendments
Paste the original contract and the counterparty's revised draft to immediately spot stealthy clause modifications or altered figures.
Use Character Diff for Number Verification
Character-level diffing is ideal for financial reports and invoices where only specific digits or punctuation marks were adjusted.
Compare JSON Configuration Changes
Format your JSON files using our JSON Formatter first, then run them through Text Diff in Line mode for a clean structural comparison.
Avoid : Using Line Diff on Single-Paragraph Prose
If an entire paragraph is on one continuous line, Line mode will highlight the whole paragraph as changed; switch to Word mode instead.
Avoid : Ignoring Whitespace Differences
Ensure leading spaces and tab indentations are consistent if comparing whitespace-sensitive formats like Python or YAML.
Avoid : Reversing Original and Modified Panes
Ensure the original baseline text is in the left/first box so additions and deletions are color-coded correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions people ask about Text Diff.
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Updated on August 2026. See all tools