Compare software

colordiff vs icdiff: catalog facts
colordiff	icdiff
Best for: People who review diffs and patches in a terminal	Best for: Developers comparing text files or reviewing changes in a terminal
Free Free and open source under the GPL license.	Free Free software distributed under a GPL-compatible license.
Command line	Command line
Works as a diff replacement or in pipelines Customizable color schemes All 3 strengths for colordiff Works as a diff replacement or in pipelines Customizable color schemes Current release and source are available	Shows differences in a side-by-side terminal view Highlights changes within lines All 3 strengths for icdiff Shows differences in a side-by-side terminal view Highlights changes within lines Can be used with Git, Subversion and Mercurial
Requires a terminal that supports ANSI colors	Requires a terminal that can display color for colored highlighting.
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-2.0-or-later	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for colordiff colordiff.org Catalog checked October 8, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for icdiff jefftk.com/icdiff Catalog checked October 8, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.