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PDiff

csci.de

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Spec score 8.0 #5 of 16 in Redlining Software

What it is

PDiff is desktop software for comparing PDF documents and identifying differences in layout, formatting and page breaks. It displays PDFs side by side, synchronizes extracted text with the pages and highlights deviations in both views. Reviewers can navigate differences, mark changes accepted, hide less relevant changes and add comments. Filtering and review tools include exclusion areas, page ranges, text-flow and table tools, replacement rules, comments and OK checkmarks.

PDiff can compare PDFs with DOC/DOCX, RTF, TXT, XLS and other common formats, converting non-PDF files through their native applications. Outputs include tabular, annotated and side-by-side PDFs, XML, CSV, PDiff project files and CLI return codes. PDiff Professional adds GUI batch processing and command-line operation. CSci Computer Science GmbH describes uses including quality assurance, regulatory compliance, contract and legal review, pharmaceutical packaging and technical documents. The software supports Unicode, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic and Hebrew. The maker says processing is local and documents are not transferred over the internet. Business customers can request a free full-functionality trial; pricing for editions is on request.

Spec sheet

Purpose
PDiff compares text in PDF documents across layout, formatting, and page-break changes and highlights deviations.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Trial
Business customers can request a free, full-functionality trial by download; it stops working when the trial ends and does not automatically convert to a paid version or subscription.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Security
The maker says document processing occurs locally, documents are not transmitted over the internet, and the software can operate offline by arrangement.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Support
The maker invites trial users who want to continue to contact it for an offer for a full version tailored to their requirements.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Headquarters
Hamburg, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · csci.de
Founded
2009Read 28 Sep 2026 · csci.de
Maker
CSci Computer Science GmbH says it was founded in January 2009 and is based in Hamburg.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Automation
PDiff Professional supports GUI batch processing and command-line operation for integration into other software and workflows.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Comparison display
The interface shows PDFs side by side with synchronized extracted text and highlighted differences.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Data handling
The maker says PDiff works locally without cloud processing and that documents are never transferred over the internet.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
File formats
It imports DOC/DOCX, RTF, TXT, XLS, and other common formats by converting them through their native applications, allowing comparisons with PDFs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Filtering
Its six listed tools include exclusion areas, page ranges, text-flow and table tools, replacement rules, and comments or OK checkmarks.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Filtering tools
PDiff lists exclusion areas, page ranges, text flow and table tools, replacement, comments, and OK checkmarks as tools for filtering or managing differences.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Intended use
The maker describes uses including quality assurance, regulatory compliance, contract review, pharmaceutical packaging, legal texts, and technical documents.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Languages
PDiff supports Unicode, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and Hebrew text.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Other document formats
PDiff can import formats including DOC/DOCX, RTF, TXT, and XLS for comparison with PDFs; non-PDF formats are converted through their native applications.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
PDF processing
PDiff uses the Adobe PDF Library for PDF processing and text analysis.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Reports
It can produce tabular PDF, annotated PDF, side-by-side PDF, XML, CSV, PDiff project, and CLI return-code outputs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Requirements
The trial requirements list Windows 64-bit or a Mac with Apple Silicon and macOS 14 or newer, at least 8 GB RAM, and internet access.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Review controls
Users can navigate differences, mark changes as accepted, hide less relevant changes, and optionally add comments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Review display
It shows compared PDFs side by side with synchronized extracted text and highlights differences in both views.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Technical network use
The maker says internet access may be used for license verification, update checks, and downloading updated help files; license information is sent via HTTPS.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Trial conditions
The trial stops functioning at the end of its period and does not automatically convert to a paid version or subscription.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Trial requirements
The trial page lists 64-bit Windows or Apple Silicon Mac with macOS 14 or newer, at least 8 GB RAM, and an internet connection as requirements.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de
Use cases
The maker describes use for quality assurance, regulatory compliance, contract review, legal documents, pharmaceutical packaging, and other business-critical document checks.Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de

Plans and prices

PDiff Desktop, PDiff QA, PDiff Professional Priced on request Contact CSci for an offer tailored to your requirements. Editions differ in features; Windows 64-bit and macOS 14+ are listed. Read 7 Oct 2026 · csci.de

Every PDiff plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Side-by-side PDF views highlight differences.
  • Imports several common document formats.
  • Offers multiple report and project outputs.
  • Supports Unicode text across listed scripts.
  • Maker says documents stay local.

Limits

  • Pricing is available on request.
  • Trial stops working when its period ends.
  • Trial requires Windows 64-bit or newer supported Mac hardware.
  • Internet access is listed for trial requirements.

Who it suits

PDiff suits teams reviewing business-critical documents, including quality assurance, regulatory, legal and pharmaceutical packaging work. It is also suited to workflows that need batch processing or command-line operation with the Professional edition.

Verdict

PDiff combines visual comparison, filtering and several output formats for document review. The maker says processing is local, while a full-functionality trial is available by request and does not automatically become a subscription.

Where Specifiction places it

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