Beyond Compare is a Windows utility that combines directory compare and file compare functions in one package. Use it to manage source code, keep directories in sync, compare program output, etc.

Pros: Beyond Compare is an application that can do dual duty. It is a directory compare utility yet at the same time can do file comparison easily. It compares files of several types. These include text, data, Hex, MP3, picture and version comparisons. It also lets you synchronize files between your home and work machines, your laptop of a desktop etc. When in the directory mode directory trees are compared side by side where differences are highlighted. At the file level see text side by side and differences are conveniently highlighted. By using simple commands you can focus on the differences you`re interested in and ignore those you`re not. You could then merge the changes, synchronize your files, and generate reports for your records. Merging file is easy with the utility so that when working with source code you could decide to create an updated file after the differences has been studied. One can compare entire drives and folders, checking sizes and last modified times. You could do some edits when merging files too. Unicode text is supported for easy handling of a range of languages. Favorite sessions can be saved for quick access, FTP and Zip support are integrated seamlessly and thus updating web pages is done at the touch of a button. Once you`ve found specific files you`re interested in, Beyond Compare can pick the best way to compare and display them. Text files can be viewed and edited with syntax highlighting and comparison rules tweaked specifically for documents, source code, and HTML. Dedicated viewers are built-in so that data files, executables, binary data, and images all can be compared side by side easily. Viewers for Hex compare, MP3 compare and version compare are available.

Cons: Comparison of media files such as photos, MP3 files are useful but support for popular formats would have been useful.

Overall: Nice set of functionality, ease of use makes this application a 4 star package easily.