Find the differences that matter
Know whether a file is missing, changed, already current, or an extra copy in the target before you decide what should happen to it.
Folder comparison on Mac
Compare two folders on Mac: find missing, changed, and extra files first
Two folders can look almost identical while hiding missing files, older versions, and target-only material. Compare them before you sync so you can see what is missing, what changed, what already matches, and what exists only on one side—then choose the next action from evidence rather than folder names.
Available now on macOS. Windows and Linux are planned. Your files stay under your control.
See missing, changed, target-only, and unchanged files as separate decisions.
Compare two folders before syncing, mirroring, moving, or deleting anything.
Use local folders, external drives, direct Dropbox locations, or locally synced Google Drive folders.
A deliberate workflow
A clear path from review to action
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Choose the source and target deliberately
Pick the folder that should define the current version as the source and the folder you want to inspect or update as the target. This can be two local folders, an external-drive backup, a direct Dropbox location, or a Google Drive folder already synced locally by Google's desktop client.
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Set the comparison scope
Exclude temporary files, caches, generated output, or unrelated folders before comparing. A focused comparison makes it easier to reason about the files that actually belong in the sync decision.
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Separate missing and changed files from extras
Read each result group: To Sync contains source files missing from the target or needing an update; Target Only contains files found only in the target; Unchanged files already match. These categories answer different questions, so do not collapse them into one bulk list.
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Check the target-only files before choosing a mode
Target-only files might be old exports, a deliberate archive, or evidence that you picked the wrong target. Keep them with copy/update unless you have reviewed them and genuinely want the target to be an exact replica.
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Choose copy/update, mirror, or no action
Use copy/update to add missing source files and refresh changed ones while preserving target-only files. Use mirror only when the target should match the source and you are prepared for reviewed target-only cleanup. If the preview is surprising, make no change and revisit the folder pair.
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Verify the completed result
After a sync, review the result while the folder pair is still fresh in your mind. A repeatable compare-first routine is safer than assuming a previous successful run makes the next one safe.
Choose the safest next action
Copy/update, mirror, and no action are all valid outcomes. The preview gives you the evidence to choose the one that matches the job.
Keep the comparison understandable
Clear categories and full file context make it easier to catch a wrong folder pair before a routine sync becomes a destructive one.
Product walkthrough
Watch the folder comparison walkthrough
This demo shows FileLever comparing two folders, separating missing and changed source files from target-only and unchanged files, and making the next sync decision clear before any changes are applied.
Common questions
Before you start
What does FileLever show when two folders differ?
It separates source files that need to sync, target-only files, and unchanged files. Files to sync include source files that are missing from the target or whose target copy needs updating.
Can I compare folders without syncing them?
Yes. Review the comparison first and choose whether to take a sync action after you understand the differences.
What should I do with files that exist only in the target folder?
Treat them as a decision point. Copy/update keeps them, which is usually right for backups and archives. Mirror can remove them only when you deliberately want the target to match the source.
Can I compare an external drive with a folder on my Mac?
Yes. Choose the mounted external drive or a folder on it as one side of the comparison, then review the preview before updating the backup or archive.
Can I compare cloud-backed folders?
Dropbox can be selected directly after you authorize the account. For Google Drive, sync the folder locally with Google Drive for desktop first, then choose that local folder in FileLever.
See the files first. Decide what happens next.
FileLever is available now on macOS, with Windows and Linux planned.