PDF Comparison SDK
Comprehensive PDF and document comparison tool with visual and textual precision
Enable users to instantly spot discrepancies in vector-based PDFs with our ready-to-use document comparison SDK. Seamlessly integrate our solution to create custom text comparison tools and deliver character-by-character accuracy.
How it works
Spot differences at a glance
The document comparison tool uses color overlays to visually highlight differences between two versions of a document. This fast, intuitive method ensures no change goes unnoticed.
Step 1
Open the first document and start the process of manual alignment by selecting three reference points on the document.
Step 2
Open the second document and select the same three reference points to align the two documents.
Step 3
Generate a blended document where differences are clearly highlighted for easy review.
KEY FEATURES
Unmatched clarity for graphical document comparison of PDF files
Easily identify changes and visualize differences with precision using our advanced PDF document comparison tools.
Benefits
Simplify integration and development
Seamlessly integrate advanced comparison features with a flexible API, cutting development time and ensuring smooth implementation.
Enable precision through customization
Refine every detail with blend modes, overlays, and manual alignment, offering full control over document comparison to meet your exact needs.
Improve document comparisons
Streamline your users’ review processes with intuitive tools that quickly highlight differences, reducing manual effort and boosting productivity.
Knowledge center
Frequently asked questions
What features does Nutrient’s Document Comparison SDK provide?
The SDK enables side-by-side and overlay comparison of PDF documents, highlighting differences such as insertions, deletions, and modifications with customizable color coding. This facilitates efficient document reviews and version control.
How does the manual alignment process work in document comparisons?
Users select three reference points on each document to align them accurately. This manual alignment ensures precise comparison, especially for documents with varying layouts or scanned images.
Can the SDK be customized to match an application’s user interface?
Yes. The SDK offers a fully customizable UI, allowing developers to tailor toolbars, highlight colors, and sidebar options to align with their application’s workflow and branding.
Does the SDK support real-time collaboration during document comparison?
While the SDK focuses on document comparison functionalities, it can be integrated with Nutrient’s collaboration tools to enable real-time collaborative reviews, allowing multiple users to view and discuss document differences simultaneously.
What platforms and frameworks are compatible with the document comparison SDK?
The SDK is designed for cross-platform compatibility, supporting integration into web applications using JavaScript frameworks, as well as mobile platforms such as iOS and Android. It also extends support to React Native and MAUI, ensuring a consistent comparison experience across devices.
How does the SDK handle large documents or complex comparisons?
The SDK is optimized for performance, efficiently handling large documents and complex comparisons. It ensures quick processing and rendering of differences, maintaining a smooth user experience, even with large documents.
Is there a demo available to experience the document comparison SDK’s capabilities?
Yes. Nutrient provides an interactive demo showcasing the SDK’s document comparison features, allowing users to experience its functionality firsthand.
Document comparison tool
What is a document comparison tool?
A document comparison tool helps users identify differences between two versions of a document — whether text-based or visually complex PDFs. Nutrient’s document comparison SDK offers precise, color-coded overlays and manual alignment options, enabling users to spot changes at a glance across contracts, designs, legal documents, and more.
- Compare two documents visually or textually, with pixel-level precision.
- Use color overlays to highlight insertions, deletions, or modifications.
- Perform manual alignment with a three-point reference system.
- Supports vector drawings, strokes, and scanned content.
- Generate a blended output that visually showcases all changes.
How to choose the right document comparison tool?
To choose the right SDK for comparing documents, consider the types of documents you’ll work with and the level of control your users need. Look for:
- Comparison types — Does it support both text-based and graphical (visual/stroke) comparisons?
- Alignment accuracy — Can it align scanned or design-heavy documents reliably?
- Customization options — Can you tweak stroke colors, blend modes, or UI layout?
- Cross-platform support — Is it compatible with your stack — web, iOS, Android, MAUI, etc.?
- Output format — Can users export side-by-side comparisons or blended result files?
What are the best solutions to solve my document comparison problem?
To streamline review workflows, especially in industries like legal, architecture, or finance, you need a comparison tool that’s accurate, fast, and easy to embed.
- Nutrient SDK — Offers side-by-side and overlay-based comparison with real-time visual precision and customizable styles.
- Adobe Acrobat SDK — Good for basic comparison, but lacks deep customization or manual alignment.
- Apryse (PDFTron) SDK — Robust but heavier integration; may require extra development time.
- DiffPDF (open source) — Simple tool for text differences but lacks visual or vector-aware comparison.
What are the benefits of using Nutrient’s document comparison tool?
Nutrient’s SDK transforms document review into a faster, more intuitive process — ideal for legal contracts, architectural drawings, version-controlled reports, and beyond.
- Overlay and stroke-based comparison — Compare graphical content without losing context.
- Manual document alignment — Ensure perfect sync between scanned or misaligned versions.
- Custom blend modes — Tailor the display to highlight exactly what matters to your users.
- Cross-platform ready — Works on web, iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native, and more.
How does Nutrient’s SDK compare to other document comparison tools?
Nutrient’s SDK stands apart by combining deep visual comparison tools with developer flexibility, enabling pixel-perfect difference tracking in any kind of document.
- More precision for graphics and text — Compare both visuals (strokes, vectors) and structured text.
- Better UX control — Customize how differences are shown with color settings and overlays.
- Manual anchoring for alignment — Align misaligned scans or prints with three-point anchoring.
- Built for developers — Clean APIs, fast setup, and support for modern frontend frameworks.
- Ideal for compliance and audit use cases — Ensure full version control and traceability in sensitive workflows.