How to Compare two Peppol Invoices for Forensic Audit?
Tools
• UBL • PEPPOL • XML • EN16931 • E-INVOICE • BANKING •
A free tool to compare Peppol XML invoices and verify data integrity
Electronic invoicing has significantly improved automation and interoperability across Europe. However, as Peppol adoption grows, so does the complexity of ensuring invoice integrity across systems, intermediaries, and ERP exports. Even small, unintended changes in structured XML data can lead to accounting discrepancies, compliance risks, or audit findings.
Peppol Diff (Peppol Invoice Forensic Auditor) was built to address exactly this challenge. It is a dedicated forensic comparison tool that allows you to compare two Peppol XML invoices side by side and clearly identify what has changed — whether elements were added, removed, or modified.
Why is a dedicated Peppol comparison tool necessary?
Peppol invoices are structured XML documents, following Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 specifications based on UBL. While XML is machine-readable and standardized, it is not human-friendly when differences need to be analyzed.
In real-world scenarios, organizations sometimes need to:
- Compare an original invoice with an ERP-exported version
- Validate that a service provider did not alter invoice content
- Investigate suspected tampering or fraud
- Confirm that totals, tax amounts, and references remain unchanged
- Troubleshoot integration or transformation errors between systems
Traditional text comparison tools are insufficient because Peppol invoices contain hierarchical structures, namespaces, embedded elements, and financial semantics that require contextual understanding.
Peppol Diff provides a structured, business-aware comparison tailored specifically to Peppol XML invoices.
How the tool works
The process is straightforward and entirely browser-based.
You select the Original XML file and the Processed (or Suspicious) Peppol XML file using the file pickers. The tool immediately computes unique digital fingerprints (SHA-256 hashes) for both files. This confirms file identity and integrity before any comparison begins.
The comparison is divided into several forensic layers:
Business Metrics Summary Quickly verify whether totals, VAT amounts, payable amounts, line counts, and other key financial indicators remain consistent. This provides an immediate red-flag assessment.
Technical Forensics Section Includes Footprint Delta and Tag Integrity analysis to detect modifications in auxiliary or metadata elements, such as embedded documents, supplier contact details, additional references, or custom extensions.
Detailed Audit Trail A complete, path-level view of every change within the XML hierarchy. This allows auditors and technical teams to see precisely which node was altered, added, or removed — down to the structural level.
Security and privacy by design
From a cybersecurity and compliance standpoint, invoice data is highly sensitive. It may contain supplier banking details, tax identifiers, internal references, and transactional metadata.
Peppol Diff operates strictly client-side in your browser using JavaScript. No XML files, financial data, or digital fingerprints are uploaded, transmitted, or stored externally. There is no registration, no login, and no server dependency. The entire comparison happens locally on your device.
This architecture minimizes data exposure risk and aligns with strong data protection principles and EU compliance expectations.
Who is it for?
Peppol Diff is particularly valuable for:
- Financial auditors
- Accountants
- Compliance officers
- Internal control teams
- ERP integration specialists
- Anti-fraud investigators
Any organization working with Peppol e-invoices that requires transparency, traceability, and structured forensic analysis can benefit from a dedicated XML comparison tool.
Free and open access
Peppol Diff is completely free to use. There are no hidden costs, no subscriptions, and no upload limits.
For technical support, feature requests, or enterprise customization options, please contact: kibervarnost@proton.me
Privacy First
All of these tools are designed with privacy in mind. Processing happens entirely on the user’s computer using JavaScript, with no uploads, no server-side storage and no tracking. For accountants, auditors and consultants handling sensitive financial data, this local-only approach is not just convenient but increasingly necessary.
Unlike many online converters:
- Invoices never leave your computer
- No servers, no uploads
- No analytics or tracking
- Designed for handling sensitive financial and GDPR data
- Aligned with strict EU privacy expectations
- Completely free and always will be
This makes the tools suitable for auditors, accountants, consultants, and security-conscious organizations. E-invoicing with UBL and Peppol is no longer optional, it is core business infrastructure.
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