Side by side

Diffract vs Meld

Both stand on file comparison software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Diffract

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Diffract offers broad file comparison in a desktop app and CLI, with the free tier covering unlimited file and directory diffs. Pro is a one-time per-seat purchase for document comparison, Git tools and three-way merging; check its version ceiling and support terms before buying.

Visit Diffract

Meld

Free plan LinuxWindows

Meld brings file, directory, and version-control comparisons together with merge assistance. Its platform limits and incomplete text filtering are worth considering before choosing it.

Visit Meld

The facts

	Diffract	Meld
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Linux, Mac, Windows	Linux, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Pro: $34 per seat, paid once	Free or on request
Plans published	2	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	getdiffract.com	gnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org
On file comparison software	#5 of 33	#9 of 33

Diffract: what it does well

Free tier allows commercial use
Highlights syntax for more than 30 languages
Free edition includes CLI and three diff algorithms
Pro includes three-way merge and Git history tools
Comparisons run locally, according to the maker

What to know first

Pro costs $34, paid once per seat
Pro license keys have a version ceiling
Maker is not obligated to provide maintenance or technical support
Redistribution of the free tier is not permitted

Meld: what it does well

Compares files, folders, and version-controlled projects
Provides three-way merge and conflict assistance
Supports Git, Mercurial, Bazaar, and Subversion
Free under GPLv2 or later, except as noted

What to know first

Text filtering support is incomplete
Filters cannot change line counts
Windows lacks automatic updates and portable installs
macOS is not yet supported

Alternatives to Diffract Alternatives to Meld The whole list