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Head-to-head · File Comparison Software

Kompare vs Altova DiffDog

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Kompare #5 in File Comparison Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit KDE
Altova DiffDog #6 in File Comparison Software 8.4/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Altova DiffDog

Kompare leads on 1 check, Altova DiffDog on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreKompare · 8.5/10
  • Free planonly Kompare
  • Free trialonly Altova DiffDog
  • Most featuresAltova DiffDog · 2 of 5

Kompare scores higher on our rubric for file comparison software: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Kompare offers free plan; Altova DiffDog doesn't.

Kompare is the better fit for linux users needing a free graphical diff tool. Altova DiffDog is the better fit for windows teams comparing files, XML, and databases.

  • Kompare fits best

    Linux users needing a free graphical diff tool

  • Altova DiffDog fits best

    Windows teams comparing files, XML, and databases

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Side by side

Feature Kompare 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Altova DiffDog 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.4
Ranking #5 in File Comparison Software #6 in File Comparison Software
Best for Linux users needing a free graphical diff tool Windows teams comparing files, XML, and databases
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Linux Windows
Support Community, Docs Tickets, Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Kompare 1/5 · Altova DiffDog 2/5
Three-way merge Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Folder comparison ✓ ✓
Merge conflict tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Binary comparison Not checked yet Not checked yet
Version-control support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Recursively compares folder contents and navigates changes across files
  • Creates, applies, and reverts selected differences or complete patches
  • Supports multiple diff formats plus command-line and standard-input workflows
  • Supports two-way and three-way file comparison and merging
  • Covers folders, XML, CSV, Word, ZIP, and database content
  • Integrates with Git and generates text, XML, or HTML diff reports
Cons
  • Runs on Linux rather than across multiple desktop platforms
  • The documented merge scope is primarily two-way
  • The published feature set does not include verified Git integration
  • Windows desktop support only
  • No free plan; access is through paid editions or a 30-day trial
  • Enterprise capabilities are required for Word, CSV, and database comparison
Our verdict

Kompare is a free, open-source KDE desktop application for comparing and merging source files or folder contents. It is aimed at Linux users who want a graphical way to inspect differences across individual files or recursive folder trees.…

Read the review →

Altova DiffDog is a Windows desktop application for developers and IT professionals who need to compare, merge, and synchronize varied file and data formats. Its scope extends from text and source-code files to folders, XML and JSON…

Read the review →
  1. KompareFile Comparison Software 8.5Free plan
  2. Altova DiffDogFile Comparison Software 8.430-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Kompare — where it wins

    • Recursively compares folder contents and navigates changes across files
    • Creates, applies, and reverts selected differences or complete patches
    • Supports multiple diff formats plus command-line and standard-input workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Linux rather than across multiple desktop platforms
    • The documented merge scope is primarily two-way
    • The published feature set does not include verified Git integration

  • Altova DiffDog — where it wins

    • Supports two-way and three-way file comparison and merging
    • Covers folders, XML, CSV, Word, ZIP, and database content
    • Integrates with Git and generates text, XML, or HTML diff reports

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows desktop support only
    • No free plan; access is through paid editions or a 30-day trial
    • Enterprise capabilities are required for Word, CSV, and database comparison

More comparisons

All file comparison software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update