What is AI PDF Compare and how does it work?

AI PDF Compare is a free online tool from HuntPDF. Compare text, PDFs, Word, Excel, code files instantly. You upload a file, the work happens on our servers, and you download the result. There is nothing to install and no account to create.

How do I use AI PDF Compare online?

Upload your file using the box above — drag it in, browse for it, or bring it in from your cloud storage. A preview appears so you can check you've picked the right file. Run AI PDF Compare, then download the result. You can rename it before you save it.

Is my file secure when I use AI PDF Compare?

Yes. The file you send to AI PDF Compare travels over an encrypted HTTPS connection and is processed automatically on our servers. It is never made public, never shared with anyone, and nobody reads it.

Does HuntPDF store my files after AI PDF Compare has run?

No. Your upload is deleted the moment AI PDF Compare finishes with it, and the file it produces is removed as soon as you have downloaded it, or when you upload another file, or when you close the page. Nothing is kept, and nothing is used to train anything.

Does it work on scanned PDFs?

Not on its own. The AI reads the text inside your PDF, and a scan is only a picture of a page with no text in it. Run the file through OCR PDF first to add a text layer, then come back.

Will the original quality and formatting be maintained?

Yes. AI PDF Compare is built to leave your content exactly as it is — only the change you asked for is applied. Nothing else about the file is altered or re-compressed.

Can I use AI PDF Compare on mobile?

Yes. AI PDF Compare works in any modern browser on phones and tablets — iPhone, iPad or Android — with nothing to install. You can upload straight from your device or from your cloud storage.

Can I rename my file before downloading it from AI PDF Compare?

Yes. The file AI PDF Compare gives you back keeps the name of the file you uploaded by default. If you'd rather call it something else, edit the name in the field next to the download button before you save it.

Do I need to install any software to use AI PDF Compare?

No. There is nothing to download, install or sign up for — AI PDF Compare is used from your browser and does the work on our servers, so it behaves the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

How long does AI PDF Compare take?

Most files are finished in a few seconds. A large or page-heavy file takes a little longer, because AI PDF Compare runs on our servers rather than on your device — but you won't be waiting around. You can upload files up to 250MB.

Is AI PDF Compare free to use?

Yes. AI PDF Compare is free, with no signup, no watermark on the result and no daily limit for normal use.

What does File Compare do?

It reads the text of two files and lists every line that was added or removed between the original and the changed version.

Which file types can File Compare use?

PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, TXT and CSV. The two files don't have to be the same type.

Can I compare a Word document with a PDF?

Yes. Put the Word file in one box and the PDF in the other. The text of both is compared.

Does it show formatting changes?

No. It compares the words and numbers, not styling such as fonts, colours or layout.

How are the differences shown?

Added lines are marked + and removed lines with a minus sign, with a count of each at the top. Unchanged lines are shown plainly for context.

Why does my scanned contract show no text?

A scan is an image. Run both versions through OCR PDF first, then compare the OCR'd copies.

File Compare — Compare Text, PDF, Word & Excel Files

Drop your file on the target

Several files · up to 260 MB each · deleted after processing

Original

Choose or drop a file

Changed

Choose or drop a file

Processed securely over HTTPS. Your files are deleted from our server after processing.

File Compare shows you exactly what changed between two versions of a document, line by line, with added lines and removed lines marked. It works with PDF, Word, Excel, TXT and CSV files, so you can compare two contract drafts or two versions of a report.

How to compare two files

Put the older version in the Original box and the newer one in the Changed box, by clicking to choose each file or dropping it in. Press Compare files. The result starts with a count of lines added and removed, then shows the full text with added lines marked + and removed lines marked with a minus sign. Press Compare other files to start again.

Who uses File Compare

A procurement officer checks what a supplier changed in the returned contract before signing. A student compares an essay draft with the version their tutor edited. A data analyst compares two CSV exports to see which records were added this week.

What File Compare checks

The text is taken out of each file and compared line by line, so you see changes in wording, figures and dates. Formatting such as bold, colours or fonts is not compared. You can compare different formats against each other, for example a Word draft against the signed PDF. Scanned PDFs need OCR PDF first, because a scan has no text to compare.

Frequently asked questions

What does File Compare do?: It reads the text of two files and lists every line that was added or removed between the original and the changed version.
Which file types can File Compare use?: PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, TXT and CSV. The two files don't have to be the same type.
Can I compare a Word document with a PDF?: Yes. Put the Word file in one box and the PDF in the other. The text of both is compared.
Does it show formatting changes?: No. It compares the words and numbers, not styling such as fonts, colours or layout.
How are the differences shown?: Added lines are marked + and removed lines with a minus sign, with a count of each at the top. Unchanged lines are shown plainly for context.
Why does my scanned contract show no text?: A scan is an image. Run both versions through OCR PDF first, then compare the OCR'd copies.