Compare two texts and highlight every insertion, deletion, and modification at the word and line level. Switch between side-by-side and inline diff views. All processing runs locally, and nothing is sent to a server.
Key Features of Text Compare
- Side-by-Side & Inline Views Compare texts in split-screen panels side-by-side or merge them into a single, unified vertical layout.
- Word-Level Highlighting Spot precise character and word differences inside modified lines, highlighted in distinct red and green tones.
- Ignore Whitespace Toggle formatting differences to focus only on structural text additions and subtractions.
- Synchronized Scrolling Scroll through long files in parallel panels that lock together automatically to preserve line alignment.
Text Compare Examples
Comparing Source Code Snippets
Review edits to a code module to confirm exactly which logic branches or keywords were changed.
Input
Original text:
function greet(user) {
console.log("Hello, " + user.name);
}
Output
Modified text:
function greet(user) {
console.log(`Hello, ${user.name}!`);
}
How to Use Text Compare
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1. Paste Two Texts
Paste the original text in the left panel and the revised text in the right panel.
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2. View the Diff
The tool highlights additions in green, deletions in red, and unchanged lines in neutral color.
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3. Review the Changes
Scroll through the highlighted diff to see exactly what changed between the two versions.
Common Use Cases for Text Compare
- Reviewing Code Changes Verify adjustments to configuration payloads, scripts, or templates before committing.
- Comparing Document Drafts Identify changes between two versions of an essay, article, or legal contract easily.
- Deduplicating Plagiarized Text Spot copied or slightly paraphrased text structures inside research papers or essays.
The Technical Details
The Text Compare tool executes all operations directly in the browser to maintain absolute data privacy. It relies on the robust, open-source jsdiff library (JavaScript diffing engine) to construct an optimal edit script.
It implements Myer’s diff algorithm, which recursively computes the shortest edit script (SES) in linear time for most inputs. The resulting changes are parsed into structural differences and highlighted recursively at the word level for altered lines. Monospace output prevents text displacement, keeping aligned paragraphs synchronous across split viewports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the tool diff by line or by word?
The tool performs a line-level diff with word-level highlighting within changed lines for precision.
Is whitespace-only changes detected?
Yes. Whitespace differences are highlighted, but you can toggle a setting to ignore leading and trailing whitespace.
Is any data sent to a server?
No. All diffing runs in your browser; neither text is ever uploaded.
Can it handle large texts?
Yes. The diff algorithm is optimized for browser use and handles large documents efficiently.