Code Compare vs NextDiff
Code Compare
devart.comNextDiff
tkosoft.comSide by side
| Figure | Code Compare | NextDiff |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · File Comparison Software | 9.1 (#2) | 7.0 (#27) |
| Download | The download page lists Code Compare version 5.5.11, released March 6, 2026. | TkoSoft says downloads are direct installer links with no account or email required, no bundled software, and no adware. |
| Folder comparison | Folder comparison color-codes added, deleted, and changed files, supports include/exclude filters, opens individual file comparisons, and batch-copies files. | It compares folders and subfolders, identifies files present on only one side, and can mark the newer file. |
| Purpose | Code Compare compares and merges differing files and folders. | NextDiff compares two files, text documents, source code files, or folders on Windows. |
| Text comparison | The product highlights inserted, deleted, and modified text, supports within-line highlighting, point-and-click merging, in-place editing, and keyboard merge shortcuts. | It displays text files side by side and highlights changed lines and changed text within lines. |
Plans
Code Compare
- Code Compare FreeFree
- EvaluationFree
- Free editionFree
- Pro edition$69.95, paid once
- Code Compare ProPriced on request
In their own words
Code Compare
Code Compare has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
NextDiff
NextDiff is a free Windows utility for comparing files, text documents, source code, and folders. It places text files side by side, marking changed lines and changes inside lines. Folder comparisons include subfolders, reveal files found on only one side, and can identify the newer file. You can edit text in the comparison view, copy differences in either direction, and undo recent merge or editing actions. Comparison settings can ignore letter case, whitespace, leading or trailing spaces, and blank lines. Supported encodings include ANSI, ASCII, UTF-8, UTF-8 with BOM, and UTF-16. Optional Apache Tika support extracts readable text from PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files for comparison. Version 2.2 is dated September 23, 2026. NextDiff is freeware for personal and commercial use on Windows 10 and 11, with direct installer links and no account or email requirement.