When a contract, policy or manuscript comes back as 'final_v3.pdf', reading both versions side by side to spot a changed clause is slow and error-prone. Compare PDF performs a word-level comparison of the text in two files and produces an annotated PDF: inserted text is highlighted on the pages, and removed text is listed so nothing slips by unnoticed.
Upload the older version first and the newer one second. Comparison works on the documents' text, so it catches changed words, numbers and dates, but it doesn't detect changes to images, colors or layout.
Both files are uploaded securely over HTTPS, processed on our servers and deleted automatically within an hour. Scanned PDFs have no text layer to compare; run OCR PDF on both versions first.
How to Compare PDF
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1
Upload two PDFs
Add the original version and the revised version.
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2
Compare
The text of both files is compared word by word.
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3
Review the result
Insertions are highlighted; deletions are listed.
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4
Download
Save the annotated comparison PDF.
Features
Word-level comparison
Pinpoints changed words and figures, not just changed paragraphs.
Highlighted insertions
New text is marked directly on the revised pages.
List of deletions
Removed text is summarized so you can review what was taken out.
Shareable result
The output is a PDF you can send to colleagues or counterparties.
Good to know
- Only text is compared; changes to images, charts, colors or layout are not detected.
- Scanned PDFs need OCR first.
- Heavily reflowed documents may show more differences than were made in substance.
Frequently asked questions
Does it detect changes in images or formatting?
No. The comparison looks at the text only. Changes to pictures, colors, fonts or layout won't be reported.
Can I compare scanned documents?
Run OCR PDF on both files first so they have a text layer. Small OCR differences may then appear as changes.
Which file should I upload first?
Upload the original first and the revised version second, so additions and deletions are labelled the right way round.
Can I compare a Word document with a PDF?
Convert the Word file with Word to PDF first, then compare the two PDFs.
Is there a size limit?
Each file can be up to 100 MB and 500 pages.
Are my documents kept?
No. Both files are deleted automatically within an hour, and you can delete them right after downloading the result.