Folder vs folder, byte for byte
Two folders.
Every difference.
FolderManifest walks both folder trees and hashes every file — then shows changed, missing, renamed, and identical files in one interactive report. Verify backups, migrations, and mirrors with proof.
Free 7-day trial · No credit card · Windows, macOS & Linux
0
entries
0
identical
0
findings
86%
tree matched
Recursive
every subfolder, every file, one pass
Content-true
SHA-256 hashing — renames and timestamps can’t fool it
Mirror-proof
verify source vs backup before trusting either
Shareable
interactive HTML report reviewers open anywhere
Where two folders meet
Copy tools promise. Folders drift.
Interrupted copies, selective sync, offline edits — plenty of things leave two “identical” folders quietly different. A content diff ends the debate.
01 / BACKUPS
Trust, but verify
Your backup tool says success. Compare source vs mirror by content and get the actual truth — including the one truncated file it forgot to mention.
02 / MIGRATIONS
Old server → new server
After the copy job, compare old share against new share. When the report shows zero differences, decommission with your eyes open.
03 / TWO MACHINES
“Which copy is current?”
The laptop folder and the desktop folder diverged weeks ago. Diff both trees and see exactly which files changed on each side — then reconcile deliberately.
How it works
Walk both trees. Report the truth.
1
Choose folder A and B
Pick the two trees to compare — across disks, machines, or network shares.
2
Recursive hash & diff
Every file on both sides is hashed with SHA-256; matches, changes, and one-side-only files are grouped.
3
Review and export
Explore the interactive report, filter by state, export HTML or CSV — evidence both sides can see.
Sync tool says
FolderManifest says
Verify before you trust
“Success” is a claim.
A diff is evidence.
Sync logs summarize; FolderManifest itemizes. When the two folders truly match, the report says so — and when they don't, you get names, not vibes.
walk · hash · diff · proveOne license · Everything included
$39 once
Folder comparison ships inside FolderManifest. No subscription, no upsells.
- Two-folder recursive comparison
- Interactive diff reports (HTML/CSV)
- Integrity monitoring & drift alerts
- Duplicate finder with one-click undo
- CLI for scripts, schedulers & agents
30-day money-back guarantee · All features unlocked in trial
Questions
Before you diff
How do I compare two folders in Windows?
Built-in options exist (robocopy /L, dir diffs) but they compare names and sizes, not content. FolderManifest hashes every file on both sides with SHA-256 and shows changed, missing, added, and identical files in one interactive report.
Will it detect files that were renamed?
Yes. Renamed-but-identical files appear as content matches at different paths, so you can see the rename instead of a confusing pair of “missing” and “new” files.
Can I compare a folder against a backup or mirror?
That’s the classic use: point one side at the source, the other at the mirror, and get byte-level proof of what matches and what drifted — before you trust or delete either side.
Does it work across drives and network shares?
Yes — internal disks, USB drives, NAS shares, and cloud storage mounted as drives. Any two locations Windows can read can be compared.
Can I try it without installing anything?
Yes — the free Folder Compare Online tool diffs two folder uploads right in your browser with recursive SHA-256 checks. No sign-up, no install.
Is folder comparison included in the trial?
Yes. The seven-day full-access trial includes folder compare, integrity monitoring, duplicate finding, Safe Archive, and the CLI. One $39 lifetime license keeps everything.
Related
Related guides & free tools
Diff two folder uploads in your browser right now, or read the compare-vs-sync playbook.
Two folders, one answer
Diff them. Know.
Point FolderManifest at both folders and get a content-verified report of every difference — in minutes.
No credit card · $39 once after · 30-day money-back