Binary File Diff
Compare two binary files byte-by-byte in hex view. Highlight differences, navigate changes, and export reports. 100% local processing, no upload required.
What is a binary file diff?
A binary file diff compares two binary files byte-by-byte and displays the differences in hexadecimal format. It highlights which bytes differ, making it easy to spot changes in any type of file including executables, images, archives, and compiled code.
How does hex comparison work?
Both files are read as raw bytes and displayed side-by-side in hexadecimal rows. Bytes that differ between the files are highlighted in color, while matching bytes appear normally. Missing bytes from the shorter file are shown as placeholders. Each byte is represented as two hex digits (00-FF).
Is my file data sent to a server?
No, all comparison is done locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your files never leave your device, ensuring 100% privacy and security. This is especially important when working with sensitive or proprietary binary files.
Can I compare files of different sizes?
Yes, the tool handles files of different sizes seamlessly. The shorter file is padded with placeholders, and the extra bytes in the longer file are highlighted as differences. This allows you to see exactly where files diverge in length.
What types of binary files can I compare?
You can compare any binary file type including executables (.exe, .dll), images (.jpg, .png), archives (.zip, .rar), compiled code (.class, .pyc), firmware binaries, database files, and any other file format. The tool works at the byte level, so it's format-agnostic.
How is this different from text diff tools?
Text diff tools compare files line-by-line and are optimized for human-readable text. Binary diff tools compare byte-by-byte and display data in hexadecimal format, which is essential for non-text files where line breaks and character encoding don't apply.
Can I export the comparison results?
Yes, you can export the comparison results as a report. The export includes all differences with their byte offsets, making it easy to document changes or share findings with team members.
What are common use cases for binary file comparison?
Common use cases include: verifying file integrity after transfers, detecting malware modifications, comparing firmware versions, analyzing reverse-engineered binaries, debugging compiled code, validating backup copies, and ensuring data consistency across systems.
How does the tool handle large files?
The tool is optimized for performance and can handle files of various sizes. For very large files (hundreds of MB), the comparison may take a moment, but the interface remains responsive. All processing happens in your browser with no file size limits.
Can I navigate between differences quickly?
Yes, the tool provides navigation controls to jump between differences. You can quickly move to the next or previous difference without manually scrolling through the entire file, saving time when files have many changes.
Why use hex format instead of decimal?
Hexadecimal (base-16) is the standard representation for binary data because each hex digit corresponds to exactly 4 bits, making it easy to see bit patterns. Two hex digits represent one byte (00-FF), which is more compact and readable than decimal (0-255) or binary (8 digits).
Is this tool suitable for security analysis?
Absolutely. Binary file comparison is essential for security analysis, malware detection, and forensic investigations. Since all processing is local, you can safely analyze sensitive files without uploading them to external servers.