Is Diffchecker for Excel free?
Diffchecker Basic is free and supports spreadsheet comparison for XLSX, XLS, CSV and TSV. Basic limits formula-change detection to 10 tries/month; several ignore and display features are limited to 5 tries/month.
Objective comparison of workflows and costs
WorkbookDiff vs Diffchecker for Excel
WorkbookDiff vs Diffchecker for Excel compares a local browser XLSX workflow with spreadsheet features across Basic, Pro and Desktop plans. Basic is free, but some spreadsheet features have monthly trial limits; the Desktop privacy statement must not be assumed to cover the free web plan.
WorkbookDiff vs Diffchecker for Excel: comparison table
Vendor facts are from the linked official source, as of November 2026. A missing fact is not a claim that a feature is absent.
| Workflow or feature | Diffchecker for Excel | WorkbookDiff |
|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheet input formats | Spreadsheet comparison supports XLSX, XLS, CSV and TSV. | Unencrypted XLSX only, up to 20 MB each. |
| Free plan | Basic is free with limited access to some Pro features. | Free comparison and full CSV export, no signup. |
| Formula-change detection | Basic: limited to 10 tries/month. | Stored formula-change categories in the free XLSX comparison; does not recalculate formulas. |
| Ignore and display options | Basic: ignore whitespace, ignore case, normalize dates, and hide unchanged rows/columns are each limited to 5 tries/month. | Change-list filtering available; no equivalent ignore-whitespace, ignore-case or date-normalization switches. |
| Report export | Export PDF/Excel is not included on Basic. | Free full CSV; optional $19 one-time audit report with notes and HTML / print export, not an Excel workbook export. |
| Local-device privacy | Pricing feature table lists the files-never-leave-your-device guarantee for Desktop, Legal and Enterprise, not Basic or web Pro. | Selected files processed locally in the browser; site services and optional billing can still use the network. |
| Desktop availability | Desktop application for Windows, Mac and Linux. | Modern browser on Mac, Linux or Windows; no desktop installation. |
| Paid pricing | Pro + Desktop listed at $15 per user/month; Enterprise $40 per user/month, annual billing only. Subscriptions auto-renew monthly or yearly depending on the chosen plan. | Optional $19 one-time audit report for one workbook pair, no subscription. Comparison and CSV stay free. |
When to choose Diffchecker for Excel instead
Choose Diffchecker instead when you need XLS, CSV or TSV spreadsheet inputs as well as XLSX, or want its ignore-whitespace, ignore-case, date-normalization and hide-unchanged options beyond Basic trial limits. Choose an appropriate Desktop plan for the listed Windows, Mac or Linux application and the files-never-leave-your-device guarantee; do not infer that guarantee for Basic or web Pro. Pro + Desktop is listed at $15 and Enterprise at $40 per user/month. Check the selected billing period: subscriptions auto-renew monthly or yearly and Enterprise is billed annually.
When to choose WorkbookDiff instead
Choose WorkbookDiff for a browser workflow on Mac, Linux or Windows when your two XLSX versions have matching sheet names and aligned coordinates. Keep selected files local, inspect stored values and formula changes, and export a free CSV. Add the optional $19 one-time audit report for review notes and HTML / print export, with no subscription. Do not choose it for editing or merging workbooks, VBA comparison or formula recalculation.
Try the free WorkbookDiff workflow
- Open the free comparison tool and select two aligned, unencrypted XLSX versions.
- Review differences by worksheet name and cell address, including stored formula changes.
- Export the full CSV free, or inspect the optional report before paying.
For full workbook versions, read compare two Excel files. For tabs within or between workbooks, use compare two Excel sheets for differences. See formula comparison, the Excel diff guide and Excel comparison on Mac.
WorkbookDiff scope and limits
WorkbookDiff runs in a modern browser on Mac, Linux and Windows. It compares two unencrypted XLSX files, up to 20 MB each, using matching worksheet names and cell coordinates. It detects supported stored values, stored formula expressions, sheet presence and visibility, hidden rows and columns, and used-range changes. It does not recalculate formulas, compare formatting or VBA, merge edits, or realign reordered rows.
Selected workbook files are processed locally in browser memory, with no workbook upload. Site services and optional billing can still use the network. Comparison and full CSV export are free without signup. The optional $19 one-time audit report adds review notes and HTML / print export for one workbook pair, with no subscription, when checkout is enabled. This is an audit handoff report, not an independent audit. Report details and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Which spreadsheet features are limited on Basic?
Formula-change detection is limited to 10 tries/month. Ignore whitespace, ignore case, normalize date formats, and hide unchanged rows and columns are each limited to 5 tries/month. Export PDF/Excel is not included on Basic.
Does Diffchecker promise local processing for the free web plan?
The pricing feature table lists the files-never-leave-your-device guarantee for Desktop, Legal and Enterprise, not Basic or web Pro. The desktop application is listed for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Is Diffchecker a one-time purchase?
The pricing page lists Pro + Desktop at $15 per user/month and Enterprise at $40 per user/month with annual billing only. Subscriptions auto-renew monthly or yearly depending on the plan chosen. Check the selected billing period before purchasing.
Are my Excel files uploaded to WorkbookDiff?
No. WorkbookDiff reads and compares selected files locally in browser memory. Site services and optional billing can still use the network; local processing is not a zero-network-traffic promise.
What does the optional WorkbookDiff report cost?
Comparison and full CSV export are free without signup. The optional $19 one-time audit report adds review notes and HTML / print export for one workbook pair, with no subscription, when checkout is enabled. It is not an independent audit.
Sources and review date
Vendor source, as of November 2026 (reviewed November 5, 2026): Diffchecker: Pricing and plan feature comparison. Prices and availability can change; confirm current vendor terms before purchasing. Only this official page is used for Diffchecker for Excel facts.
WorkbookDiff details were checked against the local file-reading and comparison implementation and one-time report billing flow on November 5, 2026. Local processing details and report pricing and availability.
Alternatives compared
Choose by workflow, supported inputs, exports and licensing.
Compare guides
Choose the guide for your comparison task: Compare Excel files without uploading · Compare Excel formulas and detect formula replaced by value changes · Export an Excel difference report CSV · Compare two Excel files · Excel diff for XLSX workbooks · Compare Excel files on Mac. · Compare two Excel sheets · Beyond Compare alternative for Excel · Microsoft Spreadsheet Compare alternative