---
name: "comparepdf"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "comparepdf"
version: "1.0.1-1.1+b1"
release: "Debian 12 (Bookworm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/comparepdf"
---

# comparepdf(1)

compare two PDF files textually or visually

## NAME

comparepdf - compare two PDF files textually or visually

## SYNOPSIS

**diffpdf** \[*file1*\] \[*file2*\]

## SYNOPSIS

**comparepdf** \[OPTIONS\] file1.pdf file2.pdf

## DESCRIPTION

**comparepdf** is a command line application used to compare two PDF files.\
 The default comparison mode is text mode where the text of each corresponding pair of pages is compared. As soon as a difference is detected the program terminates with a message (unless -v0 is set) and an indicative return code.\
 The OPTIONS are -ct or --compare=text (the default) for text mode comparisons or -ca or --compare=appearance for visual comparisons (useful if diagrams or other images have changed), and -v=1 or --verbose=1 for reporting differences (and saying nothing for matching files): use -v=0 for no reporting or -v=2 for reporting both different and matching files.

## SEE ALSO

For a GUI tool for showing the detailed differences between PDF files see http://www.qtrac.eu/diffpdf.html.

## AUTHOR

comparepdf was written by Mark Summerfield \<mark@qtrac.eu\>.