Freedom251 › File Comparison Software
Altova DiffDog
What Altova DiffDog is
Altova DiffDog is a Windows desktop tool for comparing and merging files, folders, and database data. It handles text and source code, XML and JSON, Word documents, directories, and database schemas and contents. File comparisons support bidirectional merging, direct editing, and unlimited undo and redo; Enterprise Edition adds three-way comparison and merging. XML options include entity resolution, attribute-order handling, well-formedness checks, validation, and schema-based editing help. DiffDog can compare and synchronize directories, including ZIP archives and OOXML files, and export difference reports as text, XML, or HTML. Enterprise Edition can compare database schemas and table contents, including across database types, and generate SQL change scripts. DiffDog Server supports automated high-volume comparisons and reporting for files, directories, and URLs. Professional Edition costs $189, paid once, and Enterprise Edition costs $269, paid once. A 30-day trial requires an evaluation license requested by email.
Who it suits
Altova describes DiffDog as a technical comparison and merge tool for developers and IT professionals. It may suit users who need file, folder, XML, or database comparisons on Windows.
What it does well
- Compares files, folders, and database data
- Supports bidirectional merging and direct file editing
- Enterprise Edition adds three-way comparison
- Exports difference reports in three formats
- Offers a 30-day trial
What to know first
- Available on Windows
- Word comparison requires Microsoft Word 2003 or later
- No free plan
Limits
The trial unlocks all features for 30 days after an evaluation license is requested and emailed. Professional Edition covers text files, folders, directories, and XML-aware comparison; Enterprise adds Microsoft Word, XML Schema, CSV, and database content and schema comparison.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DiffDog 2026 Professional Edition | Text files, folders and directories · XML-aware comparison options | $189, paid once |
| DiffDog 2026 Enterprise Edition | Professional features · Microsoft Word, XML Schema, CSV and database content/schema comparison | $269, paid once |
As altova.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Altova DiffDog website
- Choose the Windows operating-system option on the download page
- Download and run the self-contained DiffDog installer
- Request an evaluation license by email for the 30-day trial
- Install Microsoft Word 2003 or later if comparing Word documents
- Select Professional Edition or Enterprise Edition for a paid license
Verdict
DiffDog covers file and directory comparisons as well as database work, with Enterprise Edition adding three-way merges and expanded database comparisons. Check the Word requirement and the edition-specific features before choosing between the two one-time plans.
Questions
What does Altova DiffDog cost?
Professional Edition costs $189, paid once. Enterprise Edition costs $269, paid once.
Is there a free plan?
No. Altova provides a free trial that unlocks all features for 30 days after an evaluation license is requested.
Which platforms does DiffDog support?
DiffDog is a Windows desktop application, with an operating-system selection provided on Altova’s download page.
Does DiffDog support three-way merging?
Yes. Three-way file comparison and difference merging are available in Enterprise Edition.
Which databases can it compare?
Listed connections include Firebird, DB2, Informix, MariaDB, Access, Azure SQL, SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Progress OpenEdge, SQLite, Sybase ASE, and Teradata.
What is required for Word document comparison?
Microsoft Word 2003 or later must be installed on the computer.
Facts from Altova DiffDog's own pages
- Automation integration
- DiffDog Server can automate high-volume comparisons and generate reports for files, directories, and URLs. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Database changes
- Enterprise Edition compares database schemas and table contents, including across database types, and generates SQL change scripts for merging differences. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Database integrations
- The product lists support for Firebird, DB2, Informix, MariaDB, Access, Azure SQL, SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Progress OpenEdge, SQLite, Sybase ASE, and Teradata. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Download platform
- Altova provides a self-contained DiffDog installer with operating-system selection on its download page. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- File merging
- It supports bidirectional merging, direct editing of compared files, and unlimited undo and redo. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Folder synchronization
- DiffDog can compare and synchronize directories, including ZIP archives and OOXML files. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1992 · altova.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Vienna, Austria; Marblehead, Massachusetts, United States · altova.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- Altova describes DiffDog as a technical diff/merge tool for developers and IT professionals. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Maker history
- Altova says it was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, and Vienna, Austria. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Microsoft Word requirement
- Word document comparison requires Microsoft Word 2003 or later installed on the computer. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DiffDog compares and merges text and source-code files, XML and JSON files, Word documents, directories, and database schemas and content. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Reports
- DiffDog exports file and directory difference reports in text, XML, or HTML formats. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Three-way comparison
- Enterprise Edition supports three-way file comparison with difference merging. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The trial unlocks all features for 30 days after the user requests an evaluation license, which is sent by email. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
- XML-aware comparison
- XML comparison options include entity resolution, ignoring attribute order, well-formedness checks, validation, and schema-based editing help. · altova.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Altova DiffDog stands on Freedom251
- File Comparison Software#17 of 33
- Database Schema Comparison Tools#18 of 25
- Diff and Merge Tools#22 of 29