Compare two YAML documents side by side and highlight added, removed, or changed fields.
YAML Compare
Compare two YAML documents side by side and highlight added, removed, or changed fields.
About YAML Compare
What YAML diff shows
YAML Compare parses both documents, compares their nested structure, and highlights fields that were added, removed, or changed. This makes config changes easier to review than reading two raw files line by line.
Useful for Kubernetes, CI/CD, and infrastructure configs
Common use cases include comparing Kubernetes manifests between environments, reviewing Docker Compose edits, checking CI pipeline changes, and spotting accidental indentation or key changes before they ship.
YAML compare versus JSON compare
Use YAML Compare for .yaml and .yml files where comments, indentation, and nested mappings are part of the workflow. If the source is strict JSON, a JSON-specific diff tool is usually a better fit.
FAQ
Common questions and answers about this topic.
What does this tool do?
Compares two YAML documents and highlights differences — added, removed, and modified fields.
Does it handle nested mappings?
Yes, deep comparison works on all nesting levels.
Can I compare Kubernetes manifests?
Yes. Single files and multi-document streams separated by --- are supported. In Structural mode, Kubernetes resources are matched by apiVersion, kind, namespace, and metadata.name, so reordering manifests does not create false differences.
Is my data sent to any server?
No, YAML comparison runs entirely in your browser. Both files are parsed and diffed locally with JavaScript and never transmitted anywhere.
How do I compare two YAML files online?
Paste your two YAML documents into the left and right panels and the differences are highlighted side by side instantly. Everything runs in your browser, with no upload, sign-up, or install.
When is comparing YAML files useful?
Common cases include spotting config drift between environments, reviewing changes to Kubernetes manifests or Docker Compose files, checking CI/CD pipeline edits, and catching accidental indentation or key changes before they ship.
Should I use YAML compare or JSON compare?
Use this YAML compare for .yaml and .yml files such as Kubernetes, Docker Compose, and CI configs. For .json files, the JSON compare tool is a better fit.