PostgreSQL Compare — Compare PostgreSQL Files Online Free
Compare PostgreSQL scripts with full dialect fluency — functions, JSONB operators, triggers, and partial indexes all diff cleanly. Free, no registration, private.
How to Compare PostgreSQL Files Online
To check two .psql files for differences in PostgreSQL Compare:
- Upload the original .psql file in the left editor.
- Then place the updated .psql file in the changed pane.
- Hit Compare to see the color-coded result side by side.
Tip: dialect features diff cleanly here — review JSONB paths, partial indexes, and trigger highlights as first-class changes. Runs in any modern browser — Firefox, Edge, Safari, or Chrome — on Windows, Mac, Linux, and phones, as many times as you need. The default side-by-side mode is free — no login needed; upgrading to Premium unlocks line-by-line and single-view analysis.
Understanding the PostgreSQL File Format
PostgreSQL script files (.psql/.sql) carry Postgres-dialect SQL: functions in PL/pgSQL, rich type definitions, extensions, row-level security policies, and pg_dump outputs. Postgres's depth (custom types, schemas, policies) means its scripts have more comparable surface than generic SQL — and more places where a version change matters. Postgres-specific features are exactly where generic SQL review falls short, so PostgreSQL file comparison earns its specialization — a changed JSONB path or trigger definition is dialect, and the diff treats it as a first-class edit.
Common Uses of PostgreSQL Files
Real situations this comparison solves:
- DBAs diff pg_dump outputs of two databases to settle schema-drift debates.
- Developers review PL/pgSQL function rewrites between versions.
- Teams compare migration files before they run against production.
- Engineers audit trigger changes when data behavior shifts.
- Reviewers check JSONB query edits in application SQL.
- Platform teams document extension and index changes between releases.
Diffing the dumps of two databases settles schema-drift debates with evidence instead of memory.
Differences Detected in PostgreSQL Files
The tool highlights Postgres-specific elements precisely: pg function comparison for PL/pgSQL bodies and signatures, PostgreSQL extension diff, row-level security diff covering policy definitions, PostgreSQL type diff for custom types and enums, and schema namespace comparison when objects move between schemas.
Examples of Changes Found in PostgreSQL Files
Postgres-specific edits the diff typically uncovers:
- A PL/pgSQL function where exception handling was added around an UPDATE and the return type changed from void to integer.
- A pg_dump comparison revealing an RLS policy on 'orders' present in production but missing from staging.
- An enum type that gained a value: ALTER TYPE order_status ADD VALUE 'refunded'.
- A migration where CREATE EXTENSION pg_trgm was added alongside a new GIN index.
- A function where ON CONFLICT DO NOTHING became ON CONFLICT DO UPDATE — upserts started overwriting rows that were previously preserved, visible in one highlight.
Why Use FileDiffs for PostgreSQL Comparison
Generic SQL tools stumble on the Postgres-specific features that matter most, JSONB operators, partial indexes, trigger definitions, PL/pgSQL bodies. FileDiffs treats them as first-class, comparing .psql and .sql scripts in the browser. It's built for real Postgres work, settling schema-drift debates by diffing two dumps, with examples like ON CONFLICT DO NOTHING becoming DO UPDATE and turning a safe insert into an overwrite that quietly clobbers rows the old version preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Compare PostgreSQL Files Online
Upload both Postgres scripts and the tool highlights every changed function, type, policy, and statement side by side. Dialect syntax — JSONB operators, partial indexes, triggers — diffs cleanly rather than confusing a generic tool.
Compare schema-only dumps or migration files across versions; structural highlights show exactly how the database definition evolved. Function body highlights deserve a careful read; PL/pgSQL edits change behavior without touching the schema.
Diff each migration against its previous revision before deployment; changed statements and clauses are flagged for review. Review each migration against its predecessor — out-of-order edits are how drift sneaks into Postgres projects.
Generate dumps with consistent flags (e.g., --schema-only, no timestamps) from each database, then diff them — remaining differences are real drift, not noise. Diffing the dumps of two databases settles schema-drift debates with evidence instead of memory.
Compare the scripts defining each version; changed signatures, bodies, and security settings (SECURITY DEFINER) appear as precise highlights. A rewritten function with the same signature is invisible to callers but not to this comparison.
Yes. Postgres scripts are compared in your browser with nothing uploaded, so functions, schemas, and migrations stay private. The comparison runs on your device and leaves no trace. No third party ever sees the contents, and nothing is cached.