ExamDiff Pro vs Beyond Compare
ExamDiff Pro and Beyond Compare are both mature, paid diff tools with a free trial. Both compare text files, folders, binary files, and documents, and both can merge. The biggest difference is focus: ExamDiff Pro is built only for Windows and goes deep on comparing code, while Beyond Compare runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and covers more file types and remote sources. This page shows where they differ, so you can pick the one that fits your work.
The short answer
check_circleChoose ExamDiff Pro if you
- want a simpler, more direct interface, the reason users who switch from Beyond Compare give us most often
- work on Windows and want a tool built only for it: native x64 and ARM64 builds, DirectWrite text rendering, your Windows clipboard history, Explorer integration, and a portable version
- compare source code and want functions and classes matched, a scope bar, and moved blocks marked
- want control over how lines are aligned: six diff algorithms, tunable fuzzy matching, and drag-and-drop manual links
- compare Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files
- need two- and three-way merge for less: $54.99 for Master Edition
infoChoose Beyond Compare if you
- need the same tool natively on macOS or Linux
- compare pictures or the Windows registry
- sync folders with FTP, SFTP, or cloud storage (Pro edition)
- want a scripting language for scheduled sync jobs
Feature by feature
“Not listed” means the feature is not in Beyond Compare's published feature list.
| Feature | ExamDiff Pro 17 | Beyond Compare 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing code and text | ||
| Syntax highlighting | Yes30+ languages, full parsing | Yes |
| Detect the language of files without a known extension, and of pasted text | Yes | Not listed |
| Compare clipboard contents | Yesincluding your 25 most recent clipboard items | Yes |
| Match functions and classes between files | Yesstructure matching | Not listed |
| Navigate code blocks with a scope bar | Yes | Not listed |
| Recognize moved blocks of text | Yes | Not listed |
| Choice of diff algorithm | Yessix: Classic, Myers, Minimal, Patience, Histogram, line-by-line | Not listedalignment styles only |
| Align similar lines | Yesfuzzy matching with adjustable similarity, by characters or words | Yes |
| Manual alignment | Yesdrag a link between two lines; drag to move or delete it | Yesthrough a command |
| Ignore white space, case, and comments | Yes | Yes |
| Ignore lines or parts of lines by regular expression | Yes | Yes |
| Edit files in the comparison | Yes | Yes |
| Word wrap and dark mode | Yes | Yes |
| Merging | ||
| Two- and three-way text merge | YesMaster Edition | YesPro edition |
| Diff and merge tool for Git | Yesbuilt into Git | Yesbuilt into Git |
| Folder merge | No | YesPro edition |
| Documents and other files | ||
| Word and PDF documents | Yes | Yes |
| Excel workbooks | Yes | Yes |
| Table and CSV comparison, column by column | YesMaster Edition | Yes |
| PowerPoint presentations | Yes | Not listed |
| Binary files (hex) | Yes | Yes |
| Pictures | No | Yes |
| Windows registry | No | YesPro edition |
| Folders | ||
| Folder comparison with filters, flat and tree views | Yes | Yes |
| Folder synchronization | Yes | Yes |
| Folder snapshots for later comparison | Yesnames, sizes, and dates | Yeswithout file contents |
| Compare two lists of files, with full file contents | YesMaster Edition | Not listed |
| FTP, SFTP, and cloud storage | YesFTP via plug-in | YesSFTP and cloud in Pro edition |
| Platform and other | ||
| Windows | Yesx64, native ARM64, and Win32 builds | Yes |
| macOS and Linux | Not nativelymany users run it with Wine | Yes |
| Portable version (no installation) | Yes | Not listed |
| Windows Explorer integration | Yes | Yes |
| Command line | Yes | Yes |
| HTML diff reports and printing | Yes | Yes |
Price and license
| ExamDiff Pro | Beyond Compare | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic edition, 1 license | Standard: $37.99 | Standard: $35 |
| Edition with merge, 1 license | Master: $54.99 | Pro: $70 |
| License type | Perpetual; one person on up to three computers | Perpetual; one person on any number of computers |
| Upgrades | One year of upgrades included; later upgrades about 40% off, even after maintenance lapses | Free within the major version; major upgrades about half price |
| Free trial | 30 days, all Master Edition features | Yes |
| Support | Unlimited email support, answered by the author | Email support and forums |
See ExamDiff Pro pricing for volume and educational discounts.
Questions
Is ExamDiff Pro a good Beyond Compare alternative on Windows?
Yes. ExamDiff Pro covers the same core work on Windows (text, folder, binary, and document comparison, two- and three-way merge, folder sync, Git integration) and adds code-aware comparison, moved-block detection, and a choice of diff algorithms. If you also need macOS or Linux, Beyond Compare is the better fit.
Which one is easier to use?
That's a matter of taste, and both have free trials, so try both on your own files. Users who switch from Beyond Compare most often tell us they find ExamDiff Pro's interface simpler and more consistent: one comparison window, with differences, the Line Inspector, and manual links all in view.
Can I use ExamDiff Pro with Git?
Yes. Git has built-in support for ExamDiff Pro as both a diff tool and a merge tool. See version control integration.
Does ExamDiff Pro run on a Mac or Linux?
ExamDiff Pro is a Windows application; it runs natively on x64 and ARM64 Windows. Many users run it on macOS and Linux with Wine. For quick comparisons on any platform, you can use DiffNow, our free online diff tool that runs the ExamDiff Pro engine.
How do I try it?
Download the free 30-day trial. It includes every Master Edition feature, and no registration is needed.
Beyond Compare is a trademark of Scooter Software, Inc. Beyond Compare information is from scootersoftware.com (editions, prices for 1–4 users, and published feature list), checked on October 16, 2026. Corrections are welcome through our contact form.