★★★★★
I use WinMerge to compare files and folders. Easy to understand and helps me find changes very quickly.
Open source · Windows · GPLv2
WinMerge See the difference. Merge with clarity.
WinMerge is a free open source file compare and folder compare tool for Windows. Use this visual diff and merge application to review side-by-side changes, sync directories, and merge versions with confidence.
0
Downloads / week
0
Community rating
GPLv2
Open source
Fast
Size & date compare
Product
What is WinMerge?
An open source differencing and merging tool for Windows. Compare folders and files, then merge changes in a visual format that is easy to understand and handle.
Visual differencing
Side-by-side panes with in-line highlights so you see exactly what changed between versions.
Folder workflows
Recursive or single-level directory compare with tree views, filters, and binary awareness.
Merge with control
Use it standalone or as an external diff tool beside your version control workflow.
Capabilities
Key features
A practical toolkit for visual diff, folder sync, archives, and merge workflows.
Full feature breakdownVisual file compare
In-line highlights, difference pane, location map, moved-line detection, and syntax highlighting.
Folder compare
Regex filters, fast size/date checks, tree-style results, and 3-way folder comparison.
Image & table compare
Block and overlay image diffs. CSV/TSV table view with per-column wrapping.
Patches & conflicts
Create Normal, Context, and Unified patches. Resolve conflict files from VCS tools.
Shell, archives & plugins
64-bit shell integration, 7-Zip archives, plugin support, and a localizable interface.
Guides when you need them
Troubleshooting for line endings, archives, Explorer selection, and antivirus alerts.
Category
How WinMerge sits among diff tools
Free open source access, deep folder workflows, and a practical merge UI without a license wall.
| Capability | WinMerge | Beyond Compare | Meld | KDiff3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License model | GPLv2 · free | Commercial | GPL · free | GPL · free |
| Native Windows focus | Yes (Win32 · shell · x64/ARM64) | Yes | Cross-platform | Cross-platform |
| 3-way compare | File & folder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Image / table compare | Built-in | Strong suite | Limited | Limited |
| Typical cost to start | $0 | Paid license | $0 | $0 |
Social proof
What users say
Community reviews · project rating 4.8 / 5 · 193 reviews
★★★★★
Great open source comparision tool!
★★★★★
Excellent, powerful and simple to use.
★★★★★
Thank u it's really Good :)
★★★★★
Excellent :-)
★★★★★
I use WinMerge to compare files and folders. Easy to understand and helps me find changes very quickly.
Trust
Transparency by design
Open source
Licensed under GNU GPL version 2.0. Source archives ship with each release. Development is volunteer-driven.
Integrity
Official builds publish SHA-256 checksums. Prefer the installer that matches your architecture (x64, ARM64, or x86).
Longevity
Project registered since 2000. Actively updated; 2.16.56.2 released 2026-05-27 as the recommended stable build.
FAQ
Quick answers
Beginning with version 2.14, WinMerge ended support for older 32-bit systems including Windows 9x, ME, and NT4. Version 2.16 does not support Windows 2000. Current 32-bit builds need XP SP3 or newer; 64-bit builds need Windows 7 or newer.
Files may use different line ending styles (Windows vs Unix). By default WinMerge compares line endings. Enable Ignore carriage return differences under Edit, Options, Compare.
Yes. WinMerge is open source under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 (GPLv2). The program is maintained and developed by volunteers.
Get the latest stable build
WinMerge 2.16.56.2 · x64, ARM64, and x86 installers plus portable ZIP packages.