Compare PDF documents with DiffPDF
Subtle Differences

© Photo by Sumner Mahaffey on Unsplash
Most PDF viewers lack a function for comparing PDF files, but DiffPDF shows you the differences at a glance.
Differ tools, which compare two files and visually highlight the differences between them, exist for many file and archive formats. These programs are particularly useful if you have two or more versions of a file and cannot see the differences immediately. Many of these comparison tools are command-line-based and require knowledge of an extensive set of parameters. If you need to compare PDF files, DiffPDF [1], with its graphical user interface, compares both the text components of two PDF files as well as the embedded images for differences.
According to the original developer, the free version of DiffPDF is no longer under active maintenance due to the European Union's 2024 Cyber Resilience Act [2]. As a result, the binary package is no longer available on the DiffPDF website. Instead, you need to download it from your distribution's repository. You will find DiffPDF in the repositories of most of the popular distributions [3] and can conveniently install it with your distribution's package manager. Doing so creates a starter in the main menu. You can also run the software at a prompt. For an overview of parameters, use the diffpdf --help
command. The graphical version also comes with a help function that explains the tool's individual functions.
On first launch, a three-pane program window pops up. When loaded, the files to be compared appear in the two larger panes on the left and in the middle. Above this, there is a single line with the fields for the file names and paths. You can see the actual controls in the third window segment on the far right. The Controls tab and the matching dialog are shown at the top. The Actions dialog is located in another tab line at the bottom. However, you will not find a menubar or a buttonbar.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.