Review: WinMerge

According to the website WinMerge is an Open Source visual text file differencing and merging tool for Windows. The name says it all. It provides a quick visual comparison between text files and allows you to merge changes between versions. Very useful if you have multiple copies of your files and struggle to keep track of them.

For anyone familiar with SubVersion software, this sort of functionality will look very familiar. Whilst it doesn’t handle all the versioning that a weightier application like Subversion will, it is a very nifty little tool and can be very useful even in small-scale projects.

Process

When you compare files WinMerge places them side-by-side in the application window, allowing you to compare line by line. On the far left there is a long strip of white with highlights of orange indicating where files differ. This gives a visual representation of differences between files. I think of it as analogous with a piece of litmus paper — where there is a conflict between two files the paper reacts.

Where files do differ the text window will highlight the text and give you the option of selecting which version you would like. As you merge the files the orange lines will disappear and at the point which both files are identical an alert message will pop up informing you that the files are identical.

For those who have been used to scanning files by eye to compare them, this process will be very satisfying, and surprisingly fast.

Feature set

Can compare two files or two directories
Syntax colouring
It’s free
Easy to install and use
Intuitive interface
Saves a backup file to preferred destination so changes can be rolled-back or tracked

Only allows merging two files i.e. three-way comparison not possible
Windows-only software
Limited capabilities — not a full versioning solution

Competitors

Compare and merge file compare utility for Windows
Merge software for Windows, includes 3-1ay comparison
DiffMerge by Sourcegear free for Windows and Mac