Meld
An open-source visual comparison and merge tool for text files, folders and version-control work.
About Meld
Meld is an open-source visual tool for comparing and merging files and folders. It offers two-way and three-way comparison of both files and directories, and it works with several popular version control systems. It is aimed at reviewing code changes, understanding patches, and resolving merge conflicts.
Meld is packaged for most Linux and Unix distributions and is available on Flathub. Windows users can download an installer, but automatic updates and portable installs are not yet supported. Meld is not yet officially supported on macOS. Semi-official builds and third-party packages exist, and older third-party binaries may have issues with recent macOS versions. Building from source requires Python 3.10, GTK+ 3.24, and other listed components.
Key features
- Two-way and three-way comparison of both files and directories
- Three-way merge assistance with conflict handling and base version display
- Folder comparison that identifies missing or modified files
- Option to ignore selected files or folders in comparisons
- Support for Git, Mercurial, Bazaar and Subversion
- Integration with tools such as git mergetool
Best for: Developers and others who need to compare or merge files, folders, or version-controlled projects, especially on Linux or Unix systems.
Good for
- Free and open source, licensed under GPLv2 or later, except as noted
- Supports several version control systems, including Git, Mercurial, Bazaar and Subversion
- Packaged for most Linux and Unix distributions and available on Flathub
Watch out for
- Automatic updates and portable installs are not yet supported on Windows
- Not yet officially supported on macOS; semi-official builds are available
- Older third-party macOS binaries may have issues with recent versions of macOS
Meld at a glance
- Website
- meldmerge.org
- Category
- Software & Utilities › File Utilities
- Type
- Online tool
- Pricing
- Free
- Open source
- Yes
- Last checked
- Oct 9, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 9, 2026
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Meld FAQ
Which version control systems does Meld support?
Meld supports Git, Mercurial, Bazaar and Subversion.
Is Meld available for macOS?
Meld is not yet officially supported on macOS. Semi-official builds can be installed from Homebrew, MacPorts or Fink, and older third-party binaries are also available, though they may have issues with recent macOS versions.
Can Meld be installed in portable form on Windows?
No. The homepage states that Meld does not yet support portable installs or automatic updates on Windows.
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