9 Essential JSON Tools Every Developer Should Know

JSONLint

Online JSON validation and formatting tool from CircleCell. Paste JSON or provide a URL to validate and reformat, with optional compression via the ?reformat=compress query. Access at https://jsonlint.com/ and view source on GitHub at https://github.com/circlecell/jsonlint.com.

JSONCompare

Advanced version of JSONLint that validates, compares, and merges multiple JSON files. Offers simple, batch, and diff modes. Available at https://jsoncompare.com/ with source code on GitHub at https://github.com/circlecell/jsoncompare.com.

jtc

CLI tool named "JSON Test Console" for extracting, processing, and transforming JSON. Allows selecting elements, wrapping them into new JSON, filtering, or updating via single commands. Binaries for Linux and macOS can be downloaded from https://github.com/ldn-softdev/jtc#compile-and-install-instructions.

ijson

Python iterator-based JSON parser providing native Python objects from JSON streams. Implements parsing via C‑based YAJL or a pure Python backend. Install from PyPI at https://pypi.org/project/ijson/#files.

JSON Formatter and Validator

Online tool that formats and beautifies JSON for easier reading and debugging. Paste JSON or provide a URL; also supports bookmarking public JSON URLs. Available at https://jsonformatter.curiousconcept.com/.

Altova XMLSpy JSON and XML Editor

Comprehensive JSON and XML editing suite offering modeling, transformation, and debugging features, including JSON validation via RaptorXML Server. Free trial download from https://www.altova.com/xmlspy-xml-editor/download.

Code Beautify JSON Tools

Suite of online utilities including a JSON viewer, editor, validator, and converters to HTML, XML, YAML, plus an Excel‑to‑JSON converter and minifier. Access at https://codebeautify.org/json-tools.

Visual Studio Code

Popular code editor with built‑in JSON support: IntelliSense validation, navigation, folding, and suggestions based on associated JSON schemas. Download from https://code.visualstudio.com/Download.

Eclipse JSON Editor Plugin

Free Eclipse IDE plugin providing syntax highlighting, code folding, formatting, and a synchronized tree view for JSON, compliant with RFC 4627. Install via Eclipse Marketplace at https://marketplace.eclipse.org/content/json-editor-plugin.