What it does
WinMerge is an open-source Windows tool for comparing and merging files and folders, including Unicode text and different line-ending conventions.
Use folder comparison to locate changed files, then inspect highlighted changes within lines. Moved-line detection helps distinguish relocation from removal; regex file filters narrow a folder review. CSV/TSV table views provide a different way to compare tabular data, and patch creation exports Normal, Context or Unified differences. Windows, Unix and Mac text-format support concerns file conventions; the native application targets Windows. Archive handling uses 7-Zip support. Check the chosen build's requirements rather than treating the homepage's historical Windows minimum as a guarantee for every current package.
Strengths
- Highlights changes within lines
- Recognizes moved lines and different text formats
Watch out for
- The official application targets Windows
Best for
- Reviewing changed text files on Windows
Sources
- WinMerge - You will see the difference… (Oct 26, 2026)
- WinMerge current comparison, table and patch features (Oct 26, 2026)