diff --git a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
index 4712458..c6ca4a6 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
@@ -289,16 +289,20 @@ def cmd_compare(o, tmp):
             if os.path.exists(tmpsrc):
                 remove(tmpsrc, LOG)
 
-        # print diff result
         if diff == '':
+            # no difference
             if o.debug:
                 line = '=> compare {}: diffing with \"{}\"'
                 LOG.dbg(line.format(dotfile.key, dotfile.dst))
                 LOG.dbg('same file')
         else:
+            # print diff results
             line = '=> compare {}: diffing with \"{}\"'
             LOG.log(line.format(dotfile.key, dotfile.dst))
-            LOG.emph(diff)
+            if o.compare_fileonly:
+                LOG.raw('<files are different>')
+            else:
+                LOG.emph(diff)
             same = False
 
     return same
diff --git a/dotdrop/options.py b/dotdrop/options.py
index 6f64593..47dc835 100644
--- a/dotdrop/options.py
+++ b/dotdrop/options.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Usage:
   dotdrop install   [-VbtfndDa] [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [<key>...]
   dotdrop import    [-Vbdf]     [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [-s <path>]
                                 [-l <link>] <path>...
-  dotdrop compare   [-Vb]       [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
+  dotdrop compare   [-LVb]      [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
                                 [-C <file>...] [-i <pattern>...]
   dotdrop update    [-VbfdkP]   [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
                                 [-i <pattern>...] [<path>...]
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ Options:
   -C --file=<path>        Path of dotfile to compare.
   -i --ignore=<pattern>   Pattern to ignore.
   -l --link=<link>        Link option (nolink|link|link_children).
+  -L --file-only          Do not show diff but only the files that differ.
   -p --profile=<profile>  Specify the profile to use [default: {}].
   -s --as=<path>          Import as a different path from actual path.
   -b --no-banner          Do not display the banner.
@@ -239,6 +240,7 @@ class Options(AttrMonitor):
         self.compare_ignore.extend(self.cmpignore)
         self.compare_ignore.append('*{}'.format(self.install_backup_suffix))
         self.compare_ignore = uniq_list(self.compare_ignore)
+        self.compare_fileonly = self.args['--file-only']
         # "import" specifics
         self.import_path = self.args['<path>']
         self.import_as = self.args['--as']
diff --git a/tests/helpers.py b/tests/helpers.py
index ed2ae0e..d6347c2 100644
--- a/tests/helpers.py
+++ b/tests/helpers.py
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ def _fake_args():
     args['--force-actions'] = False
     args['--grepable'] = False
     args['--as'] = None
+    args['--file-only'] = False
     # cmds
     args['profiles'] = False
     args['files'] = False