- Home
- Diff and Merge Tools
- SourceGear DiffMerge
SourceGear DiffMerge
Champaign, Illinois, USA
What it is
SourceGear DiffMerge is a free desktop application for comparing and merging files and folders on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its Diff feature displays changes between two files, highlights differences within lines, and supports editing. Merge compares three files and can automatically combine changes when it considers that safe. Folder Diff places two folders side by side and identifies files as identical, equivalent, different, or present in only one folder. Rulesets and options let users adjust appearance and behavior, and the program can import files in a wide range of character encodings. A command-line interface compares files and can write differences in unified or traditional formats. The manual documents integrations with Git, Mercurial, TortoiseSVN, Microsoft TFS, and Microsoft VSS 2005. Windows Explorer integration adds context-menu actions for selected files and folders. The download page lists version 4.2 builds for Windows, MacOS 10.6+, Ubuntu 12.04+, and Fedora 17+. In February 2026, SourceGear support said it was no longer accepting registrations and was transitioning DiffMerge to an open-source project.
For and against
For
- Free to use on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Compares files with intra-line highlighting and editing
- Three-way merge can automatically combine safe changes
- Folder Diff distinguishes several file-match states
- Command-line interface can write difference formats
Against
- SourceGear was no longer accepting registrations in February 2026
- Listed builds include MacOS 10.6+, Ubuntu 12.04+, and Fedora 17+
The verdict
DiffMerge provides file comparison, three-way merge, and folder comparison tools across desktop platforms. Registration is no longer accepted, and SourceGear said it was transitioning the software to an open-source project.
Who it suits
DiffMerge suits people who want visual file and folder comparisons or three-file merges on desktop systems. Its command-line interface and documented version-control integrations may also suit software development workflows.
Plans and prices
DiffMerge
Licensed for use free of charge · registration key previously available for a small fee
Read 30 Sep 2026 · sourcegear.com
On the record
- Character encodings
- DiffMerge is Unicode-based and can import files in a wide range of character encodings.kb.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Command line
- The command-line interface can compare files and write differences in unified or traditional formats.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Current registration status
- SourceGear support stated in February 2026 that it was no longer accepting DiffMerge registrations and was transitioning DiffMerge to an open-source project.support.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Customization
- Rulesets and options customize DiffMerge appearance and behavior.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Downloads
- The official download page lists DiffMerge 4.2 builds for Windows, MacOS 10.6+, Ubuntu 12.04+ and Fedora 17+.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- File diff
- Its Diff feature graphically shows changes between two files, with intra-line highlighting and editing support.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Folder comparison
- Folder Diff compares two folders side by side and identifies files that are identical, equivalent, different, or present in only one folder.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The manual documents integration with Git, Mercurial, TortoiseSVN, Microsoft TFS, and Microsoft VSS 2005.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- License
- The license agreement states that DiffMerge is protected by copyright and is licensed rather than sold.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- DiffMerge visually compares and merges files and folders.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Registration
- The registration page says the software is free to use, registration keys do not expire, and registered users receive product updates and support.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Three-way merge
- Its Merge feature graphically compares three files and supports automatic merging when safe.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Windows integration
- Windows Explorer integration adds context-menu actions for diffing selected files or folders.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Windows requirements
- Windows support requires XP SP3 or newer for 32-bit systems and Vista or newer for 64-bit systems, with 20 MB available disk space.sourcegear.com · read 30 Sep 2026
