How to Compare Files in VS Code (Plus a Faster Free Online Option)
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VS Code has a built-in diff viewer that's genuinely good — clean, side-by-side, with inline change highlights. If you're already in VS Code, it's often the fastest way to compare two files in your project.
But not every comparison needs VS Code open. If you're reviewing a document sent by email, checking a config snippet, or comparing text on a machine without VS Code installed, a browser-based diff tool is faster to reach. This guide covers both options — when to use each and how.
VS Code's Built-In Diff Viewer: How It Works
VS Code includes a native diff viewer that compares two files side by side with change highlighting. It's well-integrated with Git — when you view changes in the Source Control panel, you're using the diff viewer. You can also trigger it manually by right-clicking a file in the Explorer and selecting "Select for Compare," then right-clicking a second file and choosing "Compare with Selected."
From the command line, you can open VS Code's diff view directly with: code --diff file1.txt file2.txt. This opens both files in the diff viewer without needing to navigate through the editor UI.
The VS Code diff viewer shows added lines in green, removed lines in red, and modified lines in a split-line view showing before and after. You can toggle between inline and side-by-side views. It handles files of any size and supports syntax highlighting for the file type being compared.
When VS Code Diff Viewer Falls Short
VS Code's diff viewer requires VS Code to be installed and open. On a machine without VS Code, or on a work computer with restricted software installs, it's not available. It also assumes your files are saved locally — comparing clipboard text or content from an email requires creating temporary files first.
For quick, ad-hoc comparisons — pasting two snippets of text to spot differences — the VS Code diff workflow has more steps than it needs to. You have to open VS Code, create or open two files, and then trigger the diff. A browser tool lets you paste and compare in under 30 seconds with no setup.
VS Code also doesn't help when you want to share a diff with someone who doesn't use VS Code, or when you need to compare text from two different sources (like a pasted email response and a document draft) without saving them as files.
Sell Custom Apparel — We Handle Printing & Free ShippingThe Free Browser Alternative: Compare Without Opening an Editor
Lynx Diff Checker gives you the same line-by-line diff result in a browser tab — no VS Code required. Paste your original text on the left, your modified text on the right, click Compare, and see every change highlighted instantly.
This works on any operating system with any browser. It's particularly useful when you're reviewing changes to a document that came in via email, comparing two versions of a config snippet someone pasted in Slack, or doing a quick check on a machine that doesn't have VS Code installed.
The trade-off: no syntax highlighting, no folder-level diff, no Git integration. For code comparison where syntax context matters, VS Code is the better tool. For plain text comparison of any kind — documents, configs, logs, drafts — the browser tool is simpler and faster to access.
VS Code Diff vs Browser Diff Checker: Which to Use When
| Situation | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Comparing two files in a Git project | VS Code diff viewer |
| Reviewing code changes with syntax highlighting | VS Code diff viewer |
| Comparing pasted text from email or Slack | Browser diff checker |
| Machine without VS Code installed | Browser diff checker |
| Comparing documents, contracts, or drafts | Browser diff checker |
| Quick one-off check, no files to save | Browser diff checker |
| Folder-level comparison | VS Code + extension (or desktop tool) |
Most developers end up using both depending on context. Keep VS Code diff for in-project code review and Git integration. Keep a browser tab open for everything else.
VS Code Extensions That Enhance the Diff Viewer
If you want to go beyond VS Code's built-in diff viewer, a few extensions add useful features. GitLens enhances the Git diff experience with authorship annotations, blame information, and richer history views. Diff Folders adds folder-level comparison that VS Code's native viewer lacks.
For comparing files that aren't in your workspace, the Compare Files extension adds a right-click context menu to compare any two files in your editor. It's a small quality-of-life improvement over the native "Select for Compare" workflow.
None of these extensions are necessary for basic text comparison — the built-in viewer handles that well. But if diff review is a regular part of your workflow, they're worth exploring.
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Open Free Diff CheckerFrequently Asked Questions
How do I compare two files in VS Code?
Right-click the first file in the Explorer panel and select "Select for Compare." Then right-click the second file and choose "Compare with Selected." You can also use the command line: code --diff file1.txt file2.txt. For pasted text without saved files, a browser diff checker is faster.
Can I use VS Code diff without opening a project?
Yes. The command code --diff file1.txt file2.txt opens VS Code's diff view directly from the terminal, even if VS Code isn't already open. However, you still need VS Code installed and the files saved locally.
Is there a VS Code diff shortcut?
In Source Control (Ctrl+Shift+G), clicking any changed file opens it in the diff viewer automatically. For manual comparison, there's no default keyboard shortcut — you use the right-click context menu or the command line approach.
What is the fastest way to compare two pieces of text?
If both texts are in your clipboard or copied from somewhere, a browser-based diff checker is fastest — no files to create, no app to open. Paste both texts and click Compare. If the files are already saved in a VS Code project, VS Code's built-in diff is equally fast.
Can VS Code compare files across different folders?
Yes, using "Select for Compare" you can compare any two files regardless of folder location. Extensions like Diff Folders add the ability to compare all files within two different folders, which VS Code doesn't support natively.