What is a Text Diff Tool?
A text diff tool compares two pieces of text and highlights exactly what changed between them. It shows which lines were added, which were removed, and which stayed the same. This is the same concept used by version control systems like Git when showing changes between commits.
ToolSnap's text diff tool works entirely in your browser. Paste your original and modified texts, and the differences appear instantly — no server, no upload, no waiting.
How to Use the Text Diff Tool
- Paste your original text in the left box labeled "Original".
- Paste your modified text in the right box labeled "Modified".
- View the diff below — green lines with a
+are additions, red lines with a−are removals, and grey lines are unchanged. - Use Swap to flip the two inputs, Copy diff to copy the result, or Clear to start over.
How to Read the Diff Output
- Green lines (+) — Lines that exist in the Modified text but not in the Original. These were added.
- Red lines (−) — Lines that exist in the Original text but not in the Modified. These were removed.
- Grey lines — Lines that are identical in both texts. These are unchanged.
Common Use Cases
- Document review — Compare two versions of a document to see what was edited.
- Code comparison — Spot differences between two code snippets without a full IDE.
- Content editing — Track what changed between a draft and a final version of an article.
- Configuration files — Compare config files to find what settings changed.
- Legal and contract review — Identify changes between two versions of a contract or legal document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it compare word by word or line by line?
The diff is computed line by line using the Longest Common Subsequence algorithm — the same approach used by Git and other version control tools. This gives accurate, predictable results for any type of text.
Is there a size limit?
Yes, inputs are limited to 2,000 lines each to prevent the browser from slowing down. For most use cases — documents, code files, articles — this is more than enough.
Does it send my text to a server?
No. All comparison happens locally in your browser. Your text never leaves your device.
Can I use it for code?
Yes. The diff output uses a monospace font and preserves indentation, making it easy to compare code snippets, configuration files, and any whitespace-sensitive content.