Windows utility that combines directory compare and file compare

Beyond Compare
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Beyond Compare

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  • Latest Version

    Beyond Compare 5.2.0 Build 31950 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-5.2.0.31950.exe

  • MD5 Checksum

    3f6bfdfe77c7ebee2148f8d9b783f94e

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

Download Beyond Compare Latest Version
Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)

  • Beyond Compare 5.2.0 Build 31950 Screenshots

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

    Beyond Compare 5.2.0 Build 31950 Screenshot 1
  • Beyond Compare 5.2.0 Build 31950 Screenshot 2
  • Beyond Compare 5.2.0 Build 31950 Screenshot 3
  • Beyond Compare 5.2.0 Build 31950 Screenshot 4
  • Beyond Compare 5.2.0 Build 31950 Screenshot 5

What's new in this version:

Notable Changes:
- Added support for comparing and filtering Unix owner/group/file type and additional Windows file attributes (e.g., symbolic link, offline)
- Expanded support for disabling features via admin policies
- Changed how saved passwords are stored. Exported profiles are compatible with previous versions, but downgrading an install will treat the passwords as blank
- Table Compare now ignores case and whitespace when aligning columns by name
- Fixed "Invalid key material type" error when connecting to Dropbox
- Linux: Updated to Qt 6
- Linux: Updated .deb packages for Deb822
- Various other enhancements and stability improvements

Admin Policies:
- Expanded support for disabling features via admin policies
- Policies are stored in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE on Windows and as /etc/bcompare.conf on macOS and Linux. See help for details
- Added DisableSavedPasswords policy to hide "Save Password" checkboxes
- Added DisableRemoteProfiles policy to disable FTP and cloud profiles. Read-only Subversion access is still enabled
- macOS/Linux: Added support for DisableCheckForUpdates policy
- Windows: Added /DisableCheckForUpdates, /DisableRemoteProfiles, and /DisableSavedPasswords switches to installer to enable their respective admin policies. /DisableCheckForUpdates is an alias to the existing /DisableUpdates one

Appearance:
- Windows: Font sizes no longer change slightly when moving between monitors with different scale factors
- Windows: Fixed file view "Align with..." mode labels for "Line # is marked" and "Select line(s) to align" drawing as black on black in dark mode
- Windows: Fixed visibility of I-beam with hourglass mouse cursor in dark mode
- Windows: Fixed detached merge output panel showing incorrectly sized images if it's on a monitor with different scaling than the main view
- Linux: Mouse cursor for Picture Compare + and text editor I-beam when busy now use system-provided images to work around issues with Wayland fraction scaling
- Linux: Fixed buttons with icons (e.g., Session > Save Session As > New Subfolder) showing black text on a black background in dark mode
- macOS: "File Formats" dialog now shows red for file formats that won't be used because a higher format matches the same file masks
- macOS: Fixed various buttons drawing the button shape smaller when they have focus (e.g., + and - buttons next to Home view search edit)
- macOS: Fixed file view comparison results icon in status bar drawing upside down

Folder Compare:
- Windows: Added support for displaying, comparing, and filtering additional Windows file attributes (e.g., temporary, offline)
- Added support for filtering symbolic links and other Unix special file types (e.g., FIFOs, sockets)
- Added support for comparing files' Unix owner/group/permissions
- macOS/Linux: Keyboard shortcuts are now suppressed when in an inline rename edit
- Fixed "Close Subfolders" to work on selection instead of just current line, matching "Open Subfolders" behavior
- Fixed "Compare Contents" incorrectly disabling "Binary" and "Rules-based" when the base folders are network servers (\\server), and incorrectly enabling them when the selection is within an expanded snapshot file
- Fixed archive files created on a Unix system and stored on a Windows disk sorting incorrectly when sorting by the "Attribute" column
- Windows: Fixed log always being closed in new views on high DPI monitors
- Windows: Fixed log height not scaling when moving between monitors with different scaling

FTP / Cloud Services:
- Changed how saved passwords are stored. Exported profiles are compatible with previous versions, but downgrading an install will treat the passwords as blank
- Fixed "Invalid key material type" error when connecting to Dropbox
- Fixed failure when using XCRC command with ProFTPD
- Fixed poor behavior when entering certain malformed URLs
- macOS: FTP Profile > Server > Time zone edit no longer allows selecting folder items like "Africa" as a timezone

Hex Compare:
- Fixed Find panel losing focus when pressing [Enter]

Installer:
- Windows: Installer now supports dark mode and has an updated appearance
- Linux: Updated .deb packages for Deb822
- Linux: Fixed .tar.gz package including an unintentional installer.sh, separate from the intended install.sh
- Linux: Fixed .rpm package's PROVIDES section listing unnecessary files

Misc:
- Windows: Code signing now only uses an SHA-256 signature rather than also dual signing with an SHA-1 signature
- Linux: Fixed "Help" button not appearing on dialogs depending on the desktop environment
- macOS: Improved behavior of dropdown treeviews (e.g., FTP Profile > Server > Time zone)
- macOS: Multi-select treeviews (e.g., Home view "Sessions" list) now toggle selection on Cmd+clicks rather than Ctrl+clicks
- macOS: Showing a window-modal dialog when quitting now disables other open windows and keeps the one showing a sheet on top
- macOS/Linux: Fixed slow startup in trial mode

Reports:
- Added "Revision" column option to Folder Compare reports

Scripting:
- Extended scripting FILTER command with UNIXTYPE filter to match symbolic links, FIFOs, sockets, etc

Table Compare:
- Column align by name now ignores case and whitespace
- Fixed keeping current row at same relative position in the view when changing the display filter

Text Views:
- Windows: Fixed displaying lines longer than 65535 characters

Crashes:
- Fixed crash when loading a 7-zip archive and then trying to access a file that has been removed from the archive
- Linux: Fixed Report "Print Preview" crashes, missing pages, and slow behavior
- macOS: Fixed crashes when closing windows
- macOS/Linux: Fixed crash when opening a new tab while doing an inline rename in a Folder Compare view, among other places
- macOS: Fixed crash when using "Next Difference Files" opens a different compare view
- macOS: Fixed Folder Compare crash when pressing [Ctrl] key while file operations are occurring

Third Party Libraries:
- Updated FlexCel to v7.25
- Updated fpspreadsheet to Lazarus-CCR SVN trunk r9907
- Updated Free Pascal to v3.3.1, GitLab commit bb1c527
- Updated IndySockets to v10.6.3.12
- Updated Inno Setup to v6.6.1
- Updated JCL to v2.8.1.9330
- Updated Lazarus to v4.99, GitLab commit 480bdb7
- Updated madCollection to v5.2.0
- Updated SecureBlackBox to v24.0.9430
- Updated SMWord to 1.60(b44)
- Updated Xpdf PdfToText to v4.06
- Updated ZipForge to v6.97

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