Windows utility that combines directory compare and file compare

Beyond Compare
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Beyond Compare

  -  27.39 MB  -  Trial
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  • Latest Version

    Beyond Compare 5.2.2 Build 32209 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-5.2.2.32209.exe

  • MD5 Checksum

    1d12db28642b4b6aa413167386263450

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 5.2.2 Build 32209 Screenshots

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

    Beyond Compare 5.2.2 Build 32209 Screenshot 1
  • Beyond Compare 5.2.2 Build 32209 Screenshot 2
  • Beyond Compare 5.2.2 Build 32209 Screenshot 3
  • Beyond Compare 5.2.2 Build 32209 Screenshot 4
  • Beyond Compare 5.2.2 Build 32209 Screenshot 5

What's new in this version:

Notable Changes:
- Dropping a .patch or .diff file on any view opens a Text Patch view
- Updated third party libraries
- General stability and polish improvements

Appearance:
- Fixed Tools > Options > Appearance > Theme not reverting when cancelling the dialog while "Preview" is checked
- Improved default size for Home view and comparison windows
- Fixed dialogs sizing larger than they should the first time they're shown on a high DPI display
- Fixed Media Compare crosshatching not aligning between rows
- Increased default width for the "File Formats" dialog

Folder Compare:
- Fixed log panel not opening to previously set height on high DPI displays
- Fixed log panel flickering over the top two lines in the comparison treeview when trying to resize it too large

Hex Compare:
- Added horizontal scrolling using mouse wheel

Installer:
- Windows: Automatic updates no longer show the installer's initial prompt for the install type

Misc:
- Dropping a .patch or .diff file on any view opens a Text Patch view

Picture Compare:
- Improved shutdown speed after using the Picture Compare on a system with many CPU cores

Settings:
- "Export Settings" dialog checkbox to include passwords and authentication tokens is now on the first page instead of below the profiles list
- "Export Settings" option to export passwords and access tokens is now disabled if the DisableSavedPasswords admin policy is in effect

Table Compare:
- Fixed poor behavior when picking "Unimportant Column" from the header right-click menu followed by picking "Standard Column"

Third Party Libraries:
- Windows: Updated ZipForge's zlib to 1.3.1. (SVN rr32125)
- Windows: Updated bzip2 to v1.0.8. Fixes CVE-2019-12900
- Windows: Updated LZMA decoder to 7-zip SDK v26.0
- Windows: Replaced PPMd decoder with one from 7-zip SDK v26.0
- Windows: Updated WavPack to v5.9.0
- Windows: Updated UnRAR DLLs to v7.22.100.1950
- macOS/Linux: Updated UnRAR source to 7.2.6
- Updated 3delite FlacTagLibrary to v2.0.30.85
- Updated 3delite ID3v2Library to v2.1.95.215
- Updated 3delite MP4TagLibrary to v1.0.68.140

Crashes:
- Fixed Text Compare crash when using "Increase Ident" while "Word Wrap" is enabled
- Fixed Table Compare crash when pressing [Enter] in an empty editor pane
- Windows: Fixed Explorer shell extension crash
- macOS/Linux: Fixed crash in "File Formats" dialog when using an external conversion file format originally created on Windows
- macOS: Fixed crash when toggling a checkbox in a listbox when nothing is selected (e.g., Tools > Export Settings)
- macOS: Fixed some listboxes with checkboxes incorrectly allowing a half-checked state

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