https://github.com/visualdiffer/visualdiffer
macOS application designed to visually compare folders and files
https://github.com/visualdiffer/visualdiffer
comparison-tool diffing folder-management
Last synced: about 1 month ago
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macOS application designed to visually compare folders and files
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/visualdiffer/visualdiffer
- Owner: visualdiffer
- License: gpl-3.0
- Created: 2025-11-01T08:00:26.000Z (5 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-02-03T05:30:19.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-02-03T18:44:46.065Z (about 2 months ago)
- Topics: comparison-tool, diffing, folder-management
- Language: Swift
- Homepage: https://visualdiffer.com
- Size: 3.09 MB
- Stars: 200
- Watchers: 3
- Forks: 7
- Open Issues: 4
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Contributing: CONTRIBUTING.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# VisualDiffer
## Overview
**VisualDiffer** is a macOS application designed to **visually compare folders and files** with clarity and speed.
It lets you instantly see what has changed between two directories — new, modified, or missing files — through a clean side-by-side interface.
The app helps developers, designers, and anyone managing multiple versions of projects to easily identify differences, filter unwanted files, and synchronize content more efficiently.
### Key Features
- 🟩 **Side-by-side folder comparison** — instantly highlights differences between directories (added, removed, or modified files).
- 🧩 **File-level diff view** — inspect detailed content changes line-by-line (for supported file types).
- 🧹 **Powerful filters** — exclude version control, backup, or temporary files (e.g., `.git`, `.svn`, `.zip`, `.DS_Store`).
- 🖱️ **Drag & drop support** — compare folders by simply dragging them into the app window.
- 📦 **Export and automation** — integrate comparisons into scripts or workflows using CLI tools (if available).
- ⚡ **Fast comparison engine** — optimized to handle large folder structures efficiently.
For more information, visit the [VisualDiffer Wiki](https://wiki.visualdiffer.com/).
---
## ⚡ Caveats
> [!WARNING]
> This is a port of the original project written in Objective-C.
> The Swift code was rewritten from scratch without using conversions made by AI models.
> Maximum care was taken in rewriting the code, but regressions or new bugs are possible.
>
---
## 📦 Installation
> [!NOTE]
> The installed application:
>
> - is notarized
> - is sandboxed
>
> **Notarization** is Apple's automated security check for macOS apps.
>
> **Sandboxing** restricts what an app can access on your Mac, for example the application can only access files/folders the user explicitly grants access to.
### From Homebrew
You can install visualdiffer using homebrew with this command:
```bash
brew install visualdiffer
```
### From GitHub Releases
Download from [releases](https://github.com/visualdiffer/visualdiffer/releases/latest), unzip, and drag the app to Applications folder
## 🛠️ Build
See [Contributing](CONTRIBUTING.md)
---
## License
Released under the **GPL3 License**.
See [`LICENSE`](./LICENSE) for details.
---
## Acknowledgments
VisualDiffer was inspired by the need for a fast, reliable, and elegant folder comparison tool for macOS.
Thanks to all contributors, testers, and users who continue to improve the project.