PDiff
PDiff: A private desktop comparator with OCR, batch processing and reporting for Windows and macOS. Ranked #8 of 25 in Document Comparison Software by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Pricing on request; best for private desktop comparison with OCR.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingPricing on request
- Best forPrivate desktop comparison with OCR
- Free planNo
- PDF comparisonYes
- Founded2009 · Hamburg, Germany
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Compares PDF, Office, RTF, TXT and XLS files
- OCR, formatting detection and synchronized document views
- Batch processing, automation and local document processing
Where it doesn't
- Runs only on Windows and macOS
- No free plan is published
- Business pricing requires a request to CSci
Our verdict on PDiff
PDiff is desktop document-comparison software from CSci Computer Science GmbH for businesses, law firms and compliance teams. It compares PDF files alongside DOC, DOCX, RTF, TXT and XLS files, highlighting insertions, deletions, replacements and rearranged text. Users can also enable formatting and style-difference detection, including changes across layouts and page breaks. OCR text recognition and Unicode support extend its usefulness to scanned documents and international scripts, while local processing keeps documents on the user’s machine.
Pricing is handled through a business offer from CSci rather than a published tier structure. There is no free plan, although a free trial is available. The product’s purchasing path therefore suits teams that want to discuss requirements with the vendor before adopting a desktop comparison tool. Buyers should clarify the commercial offer and trial terms directly with CSci. PDiff is available for Windows and macOS, giving it a defined desktop footprint rather than a browser-first or cloud deployment model.
Its strongest distinction is the combination of comparison depth and workflow output. Alongside synchronized PDF and text displays, PDiff can produce PDF, XML, HTML and CSV reports, process batches of files, and support command-line automation. These capabilities make it a practical fit for repeatable review, compliance workflows and document-heavy teams that need more than a side-by-side visual check. The narrow platform coverage and lack of a free plan make it less suitable for teams seeking broad device access or self-serve entry. Choose PDiff when local processing, OCR and automation matter; consider another option when browser access or a published plan structure is central.
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PDiff pricing
PDiff fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| PDF comparison | Yes |
| Office file comparison | Yes |
| Formatting changes | Yes |
| Redline output | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Maximum file size | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Email, Phone |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Pricing on request |
| Website | csci.de |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to PDiff
- DiffcheckerA broad comparison toolkit with free access and a $15 monthly desktop tier.9.3
- Litera CompareA broad comparison toolkit for redlines, scanned PDFs, and server-side workflows.9.2
- UltraCompareA broad desktop comparison suite for technical teams that need three-way merges.9.0
PDiff vs the competition
- PDiff vs Diffchecker
- PDiff vs Litera Compare
- PDiff vs UltraCompare
- PDiff vs Draftable Compare
- PDiff vs Compare Suite
- PDiff vs i-net PDFC
Compare PDiff with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
PDiff is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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