Guide · 2 min read

How to Compare Two PDF Files

The oMyPDF Compare tool spots every difference between two documents — PDF or Word — and highlights added, removed and changed text side by side. Browse each change, then export a report or a highlighted PDF. Comparison runs on our servers — which is what makes it thorough — and both files are deleted automatically within an hour.

Open Compare PDF

Quick overview

Animated walkthrough of comparing two PDF files and reviewing the highlighted differences

The full workflow: add both documents, compare them, review the highlighted differences side by side, then export the comparison.

Step-by-step

  1. 1

    Add both documents

    Go to the Compare PDF page. Drop your first file into Original (A) and the second into Revised (B) — each can be a PDF or a Word .docx, so you can compare PDF vs PDF, Word vs PDF or Word vs Word.

    Compare PDF tool upload screen with Original (A) and Revised (B) drop zones
  2. 2

    Compare documents

    Once both files are loaded you'll see them side by side. Click Compare documents — both files are uploaded over an encrypted connection so the comparison engine can read them, and both are deleted automatically within an hour.

    Both PDF files loaded, ready to compare with the Compare documents button
  3. 3

    See the differences side by side

    The two documents open side by side with every difference highlighted — removed text in red on the original, added text in blue on the revised copy. A summary shows how many pages changed and the total additions and deletions.

    Side-by-side PDF comparison with removed text in red and added text in blue
  4. 4

    Review every change

    The Changes panel lists each edit — click one to jump straight to it, or use Prev/Next to step through them. Switch between change-wise and page-wise views to review the differences the way that suits you.

    Reviewing the list of changes between two PDFs, with one change selected
  5. 5

    Export the comparison

    Click Download to save the results — a text report of every change (.txt), just the changed pages highlighted (.pdf), or every page side by side in a highlighted split view (.pdf).

    Exporting the PDF comparison as a text report or a highlighted PDF

Tips

  • PDF or Word, mixed freely: compare PDF vs PDF, Word vs PDF, or Word vs Word — drop a .docx into either side.
  • Colour code: removed text is highlighted red on the original, and added text is highlighted blue on the revised copy.
  • Jump between edits: use the Changes panel or Prev/Next to move straight to each difference instead of hunting for it.
  • Deleted after an hour: both documents are uploaded so the engine can read them, then removed automatically — we never share or keep them.

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