How to compare two PDFs
Choose the older file and the newer file and press Compare. The tool reads the text of each page and shows only the pages that changed. Lines that were removed are marked red, lines that were added green.
Good uses
- Checking that a contract returned by the other side only has the changes you agreed.
- Seeing what changed between two drafts of a report or assignment.
- Making sure a reprinted document matches the original wording.
Limits to keep in mind
Only text is compared. Changes to images, colours or layout are not detected, and scanned pages cannot be read. For a full text copy of one file, use PDF to Text.
Frequently asked questions
Are my PDFs uploaded?
No. Both files are read and compared inside your browser.
What does it compare?
The text, line by line, on each page. It does not compare pictures, colours, fonts or layout. If only a logo or a photo changed it will say the pages match.
How do I read the result?
Red lines with a minus sign exist only in the old file. Green lines with a plus sign exist only in the new file. Grey lines are the same in both.
Can it compare scanned documents?
No. Scans are pictures with no real text to compare.
The pages are shifted by one. Will everything look different?
Pages are matched by page number. If a page was inserted, later pages will show as changed. Extract matching page ranges with Extract PDF Pages first to line them up.