Windows utility that combines directory compare and file compare

Beyond Compare

Beyond Compare

  -  27.1 MB  -  Trial
  • Latest Version

    Beyond Compare 5.0.6 Build 30713 LATEST

  • Review by

    Michael Reynolds

  • Operating System

    Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 10 / Windows 11

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Scooter Software, Inc. / External Link

  • Filename

    BCompare-5.0.6.30713.exe

  • MD5 Checksum

    9d40da783c6a3b1f09fd6784dd3c47be

Beyond Compare, developed by Scooter Software, is a powerful file and folder comparison tool for Windows designed to help users analyze differences between files, directories, and even entire drives.

It is widely used by software developers, IT professionals, and general users who need an efficient way to compare, synchronize, and merge files.

Beyond Compare Screenshot 1

The software provides an intuitive interface that makes side-by-side comparisons easy while offering deep customization for advanced users.

Key Features
  • File and Folder Comparison – Compare individual files or entire directories with a detailed, visual side-by-side comparison.
  • Merge Capabilities – Allows merging changes between two or three versions of a file, making it ideal for code collaboration.
  • Synchronization – Sync files and folders between different locations, including local storage, external drives, FTP, and cloud services.
  • Hex Comparison – Compare binary files at the hexadecimal level, useful for software engineers.
  • Text and Code Comparison – Highlight differences in plain text files, source code, and scripts with syntax highlighting.
  • Image Comparison – Compare images by pixel or overlay methods to identify even subtle changes.
  • Data Comparison – Support for structured data formats like CSV and tables, making it useful for database-related tasks.
  • Built-in FTP/SFTP Support – Compare and sync files directly on remote servers.
  • Automated and Scriptable Comparisons – Create scripts to automate recurring comparison and synchronization tasks.
  • Customizable Rules and Filters – Exclude specific files or file types from comparisons for more refined results.
User Interface

Beyond Compare offers a clean, structured UI with a dual-pane design for easy side-by-side comparisons.

Beyond Compare Screenshot 2

It uses color-coded highlighting to indicate differences, additions, and deletions in files or directories.

Users can customize the layout, apply filters, and configure keyboard shortcuts to enhance their workflow.

Installation and Setup
  • Download the setup file from the official Scooter Software website.
  • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Choose between a trial version (valid for 30 days) or activate it with a purchased license.
  • Configure preferences for comparison settings and integrations.
How to Use

Compare Files – Open Beyond Compare, select "New Session," choose "File Compare," and select two files to compare.

Compare Folders – Choose "Folder Compare," select two directories, and initiate the comparison.

Beyond Compare Screenshot 3

Merge Files – Select "Merge" from the menu and resolve differences between file versions.

Sync Files – Use "Folder Sync" to automatically synchronize differences between directories.

Use Scripts – Automate tasks by creating scripts for recurring comparisons and synchronizations.

FAQ

Is Beyond Compare free?
Beyond Compare offers a free 30-day trial, but a license must be purchased for continued use.

Can Beyond Compare be used for source code merging?
Yes, it supports merging of text-based source code and integrates with version control systems.

Does Beyond Compare support cloud storage comparison?
It supports FTP, SFTP, and some cloud services via third-party integrations, but not direct OneDrive or Google Drive support.

Can Beyond Compare compare Microsoft Word or PDF files?
It does not natively support Word or PDF comparisons but can convert them to text for basic analysis.

Does Beyond Compare work on macOS?
Yes, it has a macOS version in addition to the Windows version.

Alternatives

WinMerge – A free, open-source alternative for Windows users.

UltraCompare – A feature-rich alternative with FTP and cloud comparison support.

Pricing

Standard Edition – $35 (Single User License)

Pro Edition – $70 (Includes advanced features like three-way merging and SFTP support)

Enterprise Licensing – Custom pricing based on team size and features needed

System Requirements
  • OS: Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 (also available for macOS and Linux)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD 1 GHz or higher
  • RAM: 2GB or more recommended
  • Storage: 50MB of free disk space
  • Display: 1024x768 resolution or higher
PROS
  • Fast and reliable file/folder comparison
  • Advanced merge and sync features
  • Supports multiple file formats including binary and images
  • Highly customizable rules and filters
  • Supports automation via scripting
CONS
  • No direct cloud storage integration (except via FTP/SFTP)
  • Paid license required after trial expires
  • Can be overwhelming for beginners due to extensive features
Conclusion

Beyond Compare is one of the best file comparison and synchronization tools available for Windows. It provides deep customization, scripting capabilities, and robust features for both casual and professional users. While it comes with a learning curve and a price tag, its powerful performance makes it well worth the investment for those who regularly work with file comparisons, software development, or data analysis.

Note: 30 days trial version.

Also Available: Download Beyond Compare for Mac

  • Beyond Compare 5.0.6 Build 30713 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    Beyond Compare 5.0.6 Build 30713 Screenshot 1
  • Beyond Compare 5.0.6 Build 30713 Screenshot 2
  • Beyond Compare 5.0.6 Build 30713 Screenshot 3
  • Beyond Compare 5.0.6 Build 30713 Screenshot 4
  • Beyond Compare 5.0.6 Build 30713 Screenshot 5

What's new in this version:

Notable Changes:
- Improved ability to modify comparison settings in Table Compare's main view
- General improvements and stability fixes

FTP:
- Fixed midnight timestamps on SFTP servers not adjusting based on the time zone
- Updated Indy library to v10.6.3.0

Misc:
- Windows: Fixed Explorer context menu extension's too large icons on Windows 11 "Show More Options" menu when the primary monitor has a lower scaling factor than a secondary one
- macOS: Improved hardware and OS information included in crash reports
- macOS: Fixed dark mode context menus showing selected items in radio groups with a black dot. (e.g., display filters type in toolbar context menu)
- macOS: Fixed Windows menu showing minimized windows with a solid diamond instead of the hollow one used by recent macOS releases

Table Compare:
- When key columns are defined, BC4's sorted alignment will be used instead of a configurable one
- Extra columns are no longer treated as missing
- Renamed "Alignment" session settings page to "Rows"
- Updated "Columns" session settings page context menu
- Added "Edit...", "Move Up", and "Move Down"
- Removed "Key", "Standard", "Unimportant", "General", and "Text"
- Improved "Edit > Delete Column", and "Edit > Insert Column Before/After" commands
- "Edit > Align With..." command is only shown if no keys are defined

Updated column header context menu:
- Added "Column Handling..."
- Added "Align Left/Right Column With"
- Added "Align Columns by Number/Left Name/Right Name"
- Removed "General/Text Column"

Added context menu to sheet tabs at bottom of view:
- Added "Align Left/Right Sheet With"
- Added "Align Sheets by Number/Left Name/Right Name"
- Added "Row Alignment...", and "Sort Rows Before Alignment" which are only shown if no keys are defined

Fixed:
- various issues with Edit > Sort... dialog
- line details not scrolling to show active cell when moving in main editor
- HTML tables getting truncated
- crash or incorrect comparison results, broken in 5.0.5
- changing comparison settings for non-existent columns to take effect immediately

Crashes:
- macOS: Fixed crash when using arrow keys to navigate MRU lists in path edits