How to compare two PDFs
- Choose the original PDF and the changed PDF.
- Click Compare. Text is read from up to 100 pages of each.
- Review added (+) and removed (−) lines, or switch to Full text to see them in context.
How the comparison works
Both files are turned into lines of text, and the tool finds the smallest set of lines added and removed to get from one to the other, the same method developers use to compare code. A changed line appears as the old version removed and the new version added, right next to each other, so edits are easy to spot.
Example: a renewed rent agreement
Your landlord sends a new agreement "with the same terms". Compare it with last year's: if the result shows − Monthly rent: 25,000 followed by + Monthly rent: 27,500, and a new line about a maintenance charge, you know exactly what to ask about before signing.
Tips
- Compare versions exported the same way; a PDF from Word and one from a scanner split lines differently.
- Page numbers, dates in headers and footers also count as changes, so skim past those.
- For comparing text you've copied rather than PDFs, use the Diff checker.