ExamDiff Pro vs WinMerge
WinMerge is a capable free, open-source diff tool, and for many people it is all they need. ExamDiff Pro, first released in 1998, is a commercial tool for people who compare files every day: it understands the code it compares, opens Office and PDF files without extra software, and is designed, built, and supported by its author. This page shows where the two differ.
The short answer
check_circleChoose ExamDiff Pro if you
- compare source code and want files fully parsed: functions and classes matched, a scope bar, and comments recognized by the language itself
- compare Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files without installing Microsoft Office or Java
- want control over how lines are aligned: tunable fuzzy matching and drag-and-drop manual links
- want an interface you can make your own: your own toolbars, menus, and keyboard shortcuts
- value direct support from the author and a major new release every year
infoWinMerge may be enough if you
- compare text files only now and then and need the tool to be free
- mostly need to compare pictures
Feature by feature
| Feature | ExamDiff Pro 17 | WinMerge 2.16 |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing code and text | ||
| Syntax highlighting | Yesfull parsing, 20+ kinds of syntax elements | Yeskeyword-based |
| Ignore comments | Yescomments found by parsing the language | Yeskeyword-based |
| Detect the language of files without a known extension, and of pasted text | Yes | No |
| Match functions and classes between files | Yesstructure matching | No |
| Navigate code blocks with a scope bar | Yes | No |
| Recognize moved blocks of text | Yes | Yes |
| Choice of diff algorithm | Yes | Yes |
| Align similar lines | Yesfuzzy matching with adjustable similarity, by characters or words | Yeson/off option |
| Manual alignment | Yesdrag a link between two lines; drag to move or delete it | Yessynchronization points, through a command |
| Ignore white space and case | Yes | Yes |
| Ignore lines or parts of lines by regular expression | Yes | Yesline and substitution filters |
| Compare clipboard contents | Yesincluding your 25 most recent clipboard items | Yesincluding clipboard history |
| Edit files in the comparison | Yes | Yes |
| Word wrap and dark mode | Yes | Yes |
| Merging | ||
| Two- and three-way text merge | YesMaster Edition | Yes |
| Diff and merge tool for Git | Yesbuilt into Git | Yesbuilt into Git |
| Compare three folders | No | Yes |
| Documents and other files | ||
| Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents | Yesbuilt in; no Microsoft Office needed | Yesplug-ins that require Microsoft Office |
| PDF documents | Yesbuilt in | Yesplug-in that requires Java (Apache Tika) |
| Table and CSV comparison, column by column | YesMaster Edition | Yes |
| Binary files (hex) | Yes | Yes |
| Pictures | No | Yes |
| Web pages | Yestheir text, from a URL | Yes |
| Folders | ||
| Folder comparison with filters, flat and tree views | Yes | Yes |
| Folder synchronization | Yes | Yesby copying items |
| Folder snapshots for later comparison | Yesnames, sizes, and dates | No |
| Compare two lists of files, with full file contents | YesMaster Edition | No |
| Zip and other archives | Yes | Yesvia 7-Zip |
| Interface and platform | ||
| Customize toolbars and menus | Yescreate toolbars, drag any command onto them, choose icon sizes | No |
| Customize keyboard shortcuts | Yesseparately for each comparison mode | No |
| Windows | Yesx64, native ARM64, and Win32 builds | Yesx64, ARM64, and Win32 builds |
| Portable version (no installation) | Yes | Unofficial |
| Windows Explorer integration | Yes | Yes |
| Command line | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive HTML diff reports | Yesfor files and folders, with links from folder reports to file reports | No |
| Printing | Yeswith page setup and print preview | Yesbasic, files only |
Price and support
| ExamDiff Pro | WinMerge | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, 1 license | Standard: $37.99 Master (with merge): $54.99 | Free (open source, GPL) |
| License type | Perpetual; one person on up to three computers | Free for any use |
| Upgrades | One year of upgrades included; later upgrades about 40% off, even after maintenance lapses | Free |
| Free trial | 30 days, all Master Edition features | Not needed |
| Development | Designed, built, and supported by its author since 1998; a major new release every year | Open-source project with volunteer contributors |
| Support | Unlimited email support, answered by the author | Community: GitHub issues and forums |
See ExamDiff Pro pricing for volume and educational discounts.
Questions
Is ExamDiff Pro worth paying for if WinMerge is free?
It depends on your work. If you compare files now and then, WinMerge may be all you need. If you compare code every day, compare Office or PDF files, or want a tool you can tailor and an author who answers your email, try ExamDiff Pro free for 30 days on your own files and decide.
Can I compare Word and Excel files without Microsoft Office?
Yes, with ExamDiff Pro. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF support is built in, so it works on computers without Office. WinMerge's Office plug-ins need Microsoft Office installed.
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.
Is there a free version of ExamDiff?
Yes. ExamDiff is a free, simple tool for comparing two text files. For quick comparisons in a browser, there is also DiffNow, our free online diff tool that runs the ExamDiff Pro engine.
How does ExamDiff Pro compare with Beyond Compare?
WinMerge information is from the latest stable release (2.16.58.2), winmerge.org, and the WinMerge manual, checked on October 17, 2026. Corrections are welcome through our contact form.