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Ediff Alternatives

Ediff Alternatives

Ediff

Ediff is a comprehensive visual interface to Unix diff and patch utilities.

Ediff provides a convenient way for simultaneous browsing through the differences between a pair (or a triple) of files or buffers (which are called ‘variants’ for our purposes). The files being compared, file-A, file-B, and file-C (if applicable) are shown in separate windows (side by side, one above the another, or in separate frames), and the differences are highlighted as you step through them. You can also copy difference regions from one buffer to another (and recover old differences if you change your mind).

Another powerful feature is the ability to merge a pair of files into a third buffer. Merging with an ancestor file is also supported. Furthermore, Ediff is equipped with directory-level capabilities that allow the user to conveniently launch browsing or merging sessions on groups of files in two (or three) different directories.

In addition, Ediff can apply a patch to a file and then let you step through both files, the patched and the original one, simultaneously, difference-by-difference. You can even apply a patch right out of a mail buffer, i.e., patches received by mail don't even have to be saved. Since Ediff lets you copy differences between variants, you can, in effect, apply patches selectively (i.e., you can copy a difference region from file.orig to file, thereby undoing any particular patch that you don't like).

Ediff even understands multi-file patches and can apply them interactively! (Ediff can recognize multi-file patches only if they are in the context format or GNU unified format. All other patches are treated as 1-file patches. Ediff is [hopefully] using the same algorithm as patch to determine which files need to be patched.)

Ediff is aware of version control, which lets you compare files with their older versions. Ediff also works with remote and compressed files, automatically ftp'ing them over and uncompressing them.

Best Free Ediff Alternatives

Looking for other Ediff-like programs? We've rounded up our favorites Ediff alternatives. Try any one of these fan favorites to see if they'll support your system and meet your specific needs.

WinMerge

WinMerge

FreeOpen SourceWindowsPortableApps.comWine

WinMerge is an open source differencing and merging tool for Windows. WinMerge can compare both folders and files, presenting differences in a visual text format that is...

Features:

  • Diff detection
  • Plugins
  • Portable
  • Directory sync
  • Folder Comparison
Meld

Meld

FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxBSDPython

Open-source, Python-based visual diff and merge tool for comparing files and folders.

Features:

  • Folder Comparison
  • One-click merging
  • Real Time Comparison
  • Compare Source Code
  • Syntax Highlighting
KDiff3

KDiff3

FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinux

KDiff3 is a file and directory diff and merge tool which - compares and merges two or three text input files or directories, - shows the differences line by line and...

Features:

  • 3 way merge
  • Text Wrapping
  • Folder Comparison
  • Side-by-Side comparison
  • Version and Source control
Compare

Compare

FreeOpen SourceWindowsNotepad++

Comparison plugin for Notepad++ editor. Features Side-by-side visual differencing Comparison against SVN...

Features:

  • Data Compare
  • Side-by-Side comparison
WinMerge JP

WinMerge JP

FreeOpen SourceWindows

WinMerge JP is a fork of original WinMerge that incorporates many own features including 3-way compare, high DPI support and many more.

Features:

  • High-dpi support
  • Portable
  • Compare Source Code
Kompare

Kompare

FreeOpen SourceLinuxKDE

Kompare is a GUI front-end program that enables differences between source files to be viewed and merged.

Meld - Mac Port

Meld - Mac Port

FreeOpen SourceMac

This is actually Meld itself ported to Mac. Doesn't require X and keybinding changed to be adapt Mac shortcuts.

Tkdiff

Tkdiff

FreeOpen SourceMacWindowsLinuxBSDCygwin

tkdiff is a graphical diff viewer based on the Tk framework. It is capable of inter-operating with source-control systems like CVS and Subversion to show differences...

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