or drop files here
Pick both files at once, or start with the original โ you can add the revised version next.
- Every change highlighted side by side
- Visual overlay for images and signatures
- Private โ files never leave your device
See exactly what changed between two PDFs
When a contract, policy or report comes back as the "final" version, the hard part is knowing what actually changed. Compare PDF puts both versions side by side and highlights every difference: rewritten wording in amber, removed text in red and new text in green, with a numbered list you can filter, search and step through. Both documents scroll together, lined up by matching text, so a passage on page 3 of one file sits next to the same passage in the other even when pages have shifted. For things text can't show โ a swapped logo, a moved signature box, a new stamp โ the visual overlay lays one page over the other and marks every area that differs. When you're done, download a PDF report with a summary, a table of every change and both documents with the changes marked. Both files are compared right in your browser, so they never leave your device.
Text changes
Both versions side by side, scrolling together. Rewritten words are amber, removed words red, new words green โ with a numbered list you can filter, search and step through.
Visual overlay
Lays one page over the other to catch what text can't: a swapped logo, a moved signature box, a new stamp. Swipe between versions to see it for yourself.
How we handle files ยท Comparing scans? Run OCR PDF first
How to compare two PDF files
- 1Add both PDFs: drop them in together, or start with the original and add the revised version next.
- 2Check that the older version sits under Original โ use the swap button if they're the wrong way round โ then tap Compare PDFs.
- 3Go through the changes: click any item in the list, or press J and K, to jump straight to it in both documents.
- 4Switch to Visual overlay to check images, signatures and layout, then download the comparison report if you need to share it.
Why compare PDFs with PDFTrusted
- Word-level comparison โ rewritten, added and removed text each get their own colour, so you see what kind of change it is at a glance
- Aligned side-by-side view โ both versions scroll together, lined up by matching text even when pages shift
- Visual overlay and swipe โ catch moved images, new stamps and signature changes that a text comparison can't see
- Filter, search and step through โ jump between changes with one click or the J and K keys
- Shareable report โ a PDF with a summary, a table of every change and both documents with numbered marks
- Private by design โ both files are compared on your device and never uploaded
Compare PDF FAQ
Is Compare PDF free?
Yes. Comparing two PDFs counts as one of your free daily uses, for files up to 100 MB together and up to 200 pages in total. There are no ads and no watermark on the report. Pro raises the limits to 100 MB and 500 pages.
How does it decide what changed?
It reads the text of both files and matches them word by word. Wording that was rewritten is marked as changed, text that only exists in the original is marked as removed, and text that only exists in the revised version is marked as added. Line breaks, extra spaces and curly versus straight quotes are ignored, so a reflowed paragraph doesn't show up as a false change.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Both PDFs are opened and compared right in your browser, so they never leave your device. That makes it a safe choice for contracts, HR documents and anything confidential.
Can I compare scanned PDFs?
A scan is a picture of a page, so there is no text to compare word by word. Use the visual overlay to see where the pages differ, or run OCR PDF on both files first to make their text searchable, then compare them again.
What does the visual overlay show?
It lays the revised page over the original. Anything identical turns grey, anything only in the original shows in red, anything only in the revised version shows in green, and colour changes show in amber. Changed areas are outlined and numbered, and Swipe lets you wipe between the two versions.
What's in the comparison report?
A summary page with both file names, page counts and the number of changes, a table listing every change with its page and the old and new text, and then both documents with each change highlighted and numbered to match the table.
Can I ignore small differences like capital letters?
Yes. Open Comparison options above the change list to ignore upper and lower case or punctuation. The results update instantly.
Does it work with password-protected PDFs?
Yes. Enter the password when asked and the file opens for comparison. The password is only used on your device to open the file.
Can I compare PDFs on my phone?
Yes. On a phone, switch between the change list, the original and the revised version with the tabs at the top, and use the arrows at the bottom to step through the changes.