XML Compare
Compare two XML documents side-by-side and highlight the differences.
Related Tools
Learn more about the XML Compare
What is XML Comparison?
XML comparison (or XML diffing) is the process of checking two XML documents against each other to find exactly what differs between them — which elements or attributes were added or removed, and which values changed. Because XML is often deeply nested, spotting a single changed value by reading two documents side by side is slow and error-prone. An XML compare tool automates that by walking both document trees and highlighting every difference.
A good XML diff checker compares more than just the root elements — it recurses into nested elements and attributes, so a changed value several levels deep is caught just as reliably as one at the root. It should also validate both inputs first, so you're never comparing a syntax error against valid XML by mistake.
This is especially useful when working with SOAP or REST APIs, where a response can contain dozens of elements and only one needs to change for a test to fail, or when tracking configuration across environments, where an untracked difference in a build or deployment file can cause a production incident.
This page lets you compare two XML files online for free, directly in your browser. Paste the original and modified XML into the two editors — or drag and drop two .xml files — click Compare, and see a side-by-side diff with additions and removals color-coded. Everything runs locally in your browser; your XML and files are never sent to a server.
Why Compare XML?
API Testing
Compare an expected SOAP or REST XML response against the actual response to confirm your endpoint returns exactly what it should.
Config Management
Diff XML configuration files — like pom.xml or web.xml — across environments to catch unintended drift before it causes an incident.
Debugging
When behavior changes after a data update, comparing the before and after XML pinpoints exactly which element or attribute changed.
Version Tracking
See what changed between two versions of an XML file — useful for reviewing data exports, feeds, or generated documents.
Example
Here are two versions of the same XML document — comparing them flags the changed age and city values, plus the added email element.
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<user>
<name>Alice</name>
<age>30</age>
<city>New York</city>
</user><?xml version="1.0"?>
<user>
<name>Alice</name>
<age>31</age>
<city>San Francisco</city>
<email>alice@example.com</email>
</user>Features
Compare
Diff two XML documents and highlight added, removed, and changed content.
Deep Comparison
Nested elements and attributes are compared at every level, not just the root.
Upload XML Files
Drag and drop or upload two .xml files to compare them directly, no copy-pasting required.
Paste from Clipboard
Paste XML directly into either editor with a single click.
Sample Data
Load two sample XML documents to see how the diff view works.
How to use
Paste your input in the left editor. The output appears automatically on the right. Use the toolbar buttons to copy, download, or transform the result.
- Paste or type your content in the input editor on the left.
- The formatted output is generated automatically.
- Use Copy, Download, or other actions from the output toolbar.
- Click the expand icon to view the output in fullscreen.
FAQ
Is this XML compare tool free?
Yes, the XML compare tool is completely free to use with no limits, signup, or account required.
Is my XML data uploaded to a server?
No. All processing happens entirely in your browser, whether you paste XML or upload files. Your data never leaves your machine.
How does XML Compare work?
Paste two XML documents into the editors and click Compare. Added content is shown in green, removed content in red.
Can I compare two XML files instead of pasting XML?
Yes. Drag and drop a .xml file onto either editor, or click the upload icon in the panel header to browse for one. Files up to 5MB are supported.
Does it support nested elements and attributes?
Yes, XML Compare deeply compares nested elements and attributes, highlighting differences at every level of the document.
Can I compare large XML files?
Yes, the comparison runs client-side in the Monaco editor, the same editor used in VS Code, so it handles large documents smoothly.
Does it show differences in element order?
Yes, reordered, added, or removed elements are highlighted just like changes to text content or attributes.
Does the tool validate XML before comparing?
Yes, if either document has a syntax error it is flagged before the comparison runs, so you always compare valid XML.
Can I use this to compare API or config XML files?
Yes, it’s commonly used to diff SOAP or REST XML responses, or to compare config files like pom.xml or web.xml across environments.