In addition to the common file versions comparison options, the Subversion integration with IntelliJ IDEA provides a special command that enables you to compare a file from your local working copy with its version in the selected branch.

To compare a file with its version in a specified branch, do the following:

  1. Select the desired file in the Project tool window, or open it in the editor.
  2. From the main VCS menu, or on the context menu of the selection, choose Subversion | Compare with Branch.
  3. In the Compare with Branch pop-up, select the desired branch. The Compare with Branch dialog in the form of the Differences viewer for files appears.

This action is also available in the SVN Repositories browser. Right-click the desired directory and choose the corresponding command from the context menu.