What it does
ActuallyFreeTools compares two versions of a PDF for free. Every added and deleted word is highlighted, with the page it appears on, and a visual overlay shows red for what only the original has and green for what only the revision has — catching changed logos, signatures and figures. It is usually an Acrobat Pro feature; here nothing is uploaded.
How to use it
- Drop the original PDF and the revised PDF.
- Read the word-by-word changes.
- Use the visual check, or scan every page for visual changes.
Questions people ask
Can it compare scanned documents?
The visual overlay works on scans. Word-level comparison needs real text, so run OCR on both first.
Does it catch formatting changes?
The visual check catches anything that changes what the page looks like, including moved or resized elements.
Is it suitable for contracts?
Yes — it is a quick way to see exactly what a counter-party changed. Always read the final version in full.
Is Compare PDFs on ActuallyFreeTools really free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no daily limit, no watermark and no paid tier. Nothing is held back for paying users.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Compare PDFs runs inside your browser, so your files are processed on your own device and never sent to a server. That is also why there is nothing to meter or charge for.
Related tools
Last updated 30 October 2026. ActuallyFreeTools tools run entirely in your browser.