How to Compare PDFs Side by Side Online Free

Split View shows two PDFs next to each other, so you can read two versions together or compare them with Show Differences.

Step by step

1.Open the first PDF

Click Open file in the toolbar, or drop the PDF onto the page. It is the document in the left pane when Split View is on.

The PDF editor with the first sample report open.

2.Turn on Split View

Open the Tools menu and click Split View.

The Tools menu open, with Split View outlined in red.

3.Choose the second file

The right pane is empty. Click Browse Files in it and choose the second PDF.

Split View with the empty right pane, showing a Browse Files button outlined in red.

4.Check which pane is active

The second file opens in the right pane, and that pane is marked Active. The tools act on the active pane's document.

Two sample reports side by side. The right pane carries an Active badge outlined in red.

5.Switch panes

Click a pane to make it active. Its badge moves, and the tools now work on that document. Each pane shows its own page, so you can look at different parts of the two files.

Two panes side by side, with an arrow pointing at the left pane, which is now active.

6.Show the differences

Look at the Compare section in the Annotation Options panel and click Show Differences. Papr marks the text that differs between the two documents.

The Compare section with Show Differences outlined in red.

7.Turn Split View off

Open Tools and click Split View again to return to a single document.

Tips

Name the two files so the versions are easy to tell apart, for example with a date.
Add bookmarks to both files to jump between the same sections quickly.

Try it on your own file

Everything in this guide happens in your browser tab. Your file stays on your device.

Open the PDF editor