Compare Two XML Files Online — Free, Instant, No Upload
Paste two XML files and see every difference in seconds. Changed elements turn red or green, character-level diffs pinpoint the exact bytes that changed. No account. No upload. No limits.
Paste text in both panels above to compare
Or to see how it works
Compare two config XML files
When you have two versions of a configuration file — web.config, pom.xml, AndroidManifest.xml, Spring beans — paste both here to instantly see which settings changed, which dependency versions bumped, and which elements were added or removed between environments or releases.
Diff two API response XML files
Saved two XML responses from a REST or SOAP API and need to know what changed? Copy the contents of each response file and paste them into the two editors. The side-by-side diff immediately shows every element that was added, removed, or modified — without opening a terminal or installing any local diff tool.
Compare XML files from two environments
Debugging a difference between staging and production? Paste the XML file from each environment to pinpoint exactly which elements diverge. Character-level highlighting shows even single-character changes in attribute values — a mismatched URL, a wrong version string, or a missing flag — instantly visible.
No file upload — your XML stays local
Many XML files contain sensitive data: database connection strings in web.config, API credentials in SOAP headers, internal service URLs. This tool never uploads anything — all diffing runs locally in your browser using JavaScript. Paste freely without worrying about your data leaving your machine.
Side-by-side and inline view modes
Side-by-side view places the two XML files in parallel columns — ideal when both files are large and you want to scan structure visually. Inline view merges both files into a single annotated stream — useful when files differ heavily and you want a compact summary of all changes in reading order.
Works with any two XML-based files
SOAP envelopes, RSS/Atom feeds, XSLT stylesheets, XSD schemas, WSDL files, SVG graphics, NuGet package specs, MSBuild project files, or any custom XML format — if the file contains valid XML, paste it in. HTML files work too, since HTML is a variant of XML.
How to compare two XML files online in 3 steps
- 1
Open both XML files and copy the first one
Open your first XML file in any text editor (VS Code, Notepad, TextEdit, nano). Select all (Ctrl+A / Cmd+A), copy, and paste into the left editor here.
- 2
Copy the second XML file and paste it on the right
Open the second XML file, copy its entire contents, and paste into the right editor. This is the file you're comparing against — a newer version, a different environment, or a proposed change.
- 3
Read the highlighted diff
Green lines are new in the second file; red lines were in the first but not the second. Within changed lines, the exact characters that differ are marked more intensely. Switch between side-by-side and inline views using the toolbar above the editors.
Need the full XML diff checker?
The XML Diff Checker covers the same functionality with additional guidance for HTML, SOAP envelopes, and XML schema files. Or try compare online XML for a streamlined paste-and-diff experience.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two XML files online without downloading software?
Open this page, paste the contents of the first XML file into the left editor and the second XML file into the right editor. The diff runs instantly in your browser — no download, no install, no account. Every added element, changed attribute, and removed tag is highlighted line by line.
Can I compare two XML files that are on my computer?
Yes. Open both XML files in any text editor (Notepad, VS Code, TextEdit), copy the contents of each, then paste them into the left and right editors here. The comparison runs entirely in your browser — your file contents are never uploaded to any server.
What is the best free tool to compare two XML files online?
This tool is free with no limits, no signup, and no file upload required. It provides character-level diff highlighting, XML/HTML syntax coloring, side-by-side and inline view modes, and a statistics bar showing total lines added, removed, and unchanged. All comparison logic runs locally in your browser.
How do I compare two Maven pom.xml files online?
Open both pom.xml files, copy each one, and paste them into the left and right editors. The diff will show every dependency version change, added plugins, removed properties, and modified configuration — line by line with character-level highlighting inside changed lines.
Is it safe to paste sensitive XML files here?
Yes. All diffing runs locally in JavaScript in your browser — no server ever receives your XML. You can safely paste production config files, SOAP messages with credentials, internal schemas, or any XML containing sensitive values. Nothing is stored or logged.
Can I compare two XML files that have different formatting or indentation?
The tool compares line by line, so if one file uses 2-space indentation and the other uses 4-space, those lines will show as changed. For the cleanest diff, reformat both XML files to use consistent indentation before comparing — or use the inline view mode, which is often easier to read when formatting differs.