Diffract vs SourceGear DiffMerge

Diffract is a desktop tool for comparing code, folders, documents and binary files on Linux, macOS and Windows. Text and code comparisons include syntax highlighting for more than 30 languages, word-level changes, moved-block detection and collapsible unchanged regions. Folder comparisons traverse directory trees, show added, removed and modified files, and allow inspection of file contents. The command-line interface supports standard, Myers and patience diff algorithms for scripts, Git hooks and CI pipelines. Pro adds three-way Git merge conflict resolution, document comparisons for PDF, Word and Excel, semantic code comparison, and Git history and commit browsing. The Free tier includes unlimited file and directory comparisons, desktop and CLI tools, three algorithms, and hex or binary comparison. The maker says comparisons run locally and files stay on the computer. Free is $0 forever and permits commercial use, but not redistribution. Pro costs $34, paid once per seat; its license key specifies a seat count and version ceiling, and includes all v1.x updates. A full refund can be requested within 30 days of purchase.

SourceGear DiffMerge is a free desktop application for visually comparing and merging files and folders on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its Diff feature displays changes between two files, highlights differences within lines, and supports editing. Merge compares three files and can combine changes automatically when it considers that safe. Folder Diff compares two folders side by side and classifies files as identical, equivalent, different, or present in only one folder. Rulesets and options let users adjust its appearance and behavior, and it can import files in a wide range of character encodings. A command-line interface compares files and can write differences in unified or traditional formats. The manual documents integrations with Git, Mercurial, TortoiseSVN, Microsoft TFS, and Microsoft VSS 2005. Windows Explorer integration adds context-menu actions for selected files or folders. The download page lists version 4.2 builds for Windows, MacOS 10.6+, Ubuntu 12.04+, and Fedora 17+. SourceGear support stated in February 2026 that it was no longer accepting registrations and was moving DiffMerge toward an open-source project.