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JSON

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format.

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JSON is a lightweight, language-independent text format for data interchange, designed to be easy for humans to read and write and for machines to parse and generate. It is based on a subset of the JavaScript Programming Language Standard ECMA-262 3rd Edition and is specified by ECMA-404, The JSON Data Interchange Standard. The format is built on two universal structures: an object, which is an unordered set of name/value pairs enclosed in braces, and an array, which is an ordered list of values enclosed in brackets. Values can be strings, numbers, booleans, null, objects, or arrays, and these structures can be nested.

The specification defines the grammar for elements, values, objects, arrays, strings, numbers, and whitespace, along with escape sequences for strings. JSON is supported across a wide range of programming languages and platforms, with implementations listed for languages including C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl, Rust, Go, Swift, and many others. The site provides the specification in multiple languages and links to related resources, including videos about JSON.

12 alternatives to JSON

Ranked by how well each tool replaces JSON: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

  1. JSONLint

    The JSON validator.

    Covers 0 of 4 key features, has a free plan and is open source.

    Free planOpen source
    58 out of 100 matchContact sales

  2. JSONFormatter.org

    Best JSON Formatter and JSON Validator: Online JSON Formatter

    Covers 0 of 4 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    57 out of 100 matchFree

  3. JSON Online Viewer

    Fast and simple JSON viewer, formatter, minifier and editor.

    Covers 0 of 4 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    56 out of 100 matchFree

  4. YAML

    YAML Ain't Markup Language

    Covers 2 of 4 key features and is open source.

    Open source
    56 out of 100 match—

  5. GraphQL

    The API language for humans and agents

    Covers 3 of 4 key features and is open source.

    Open source
    54 out of 100 match—

  6. JSON Editor Online

    Online tool for viewing, editing, formatting, repairing, comparing, querying, transforming

    Covers 0 of 4 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    54 out of 100 match$2/mo

  7. curl

    Command line tool and library for transferring data with URLs.

    Covers 3 of 4 key features, has a free plan and is open source.

    Free planOpen source
    54 out of 100 matchFree

  8. JSON Blob

    Create, edit, view, format, and share JSON

    Covers 0 of 4 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    52 out of 100 matchFree

  9. JSONGenerator

    Create Random JSON Data

    Covers 0 of 4 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    52 out of 100 matchFree

  10. ExtendsClass

    Free Online Toolbox for developers

    Covers 3 of 4 key features, has a free plan and is open source.

    Free planOpen source
    51 out of 100 matchFree

  11. Open Exchange Rates

    The original simple, accurate and transparent exchange rates and currency conversion data.

    Covers 2 of 4 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    51 out of 100 match$12/mo

  12. Dog API

    Free JSON API for dog breeds, pictures, groups, and facts

    Covers 3 of 4 key features, has a free plan and is open source.

    Free planOpen source
    50 out of 100 matchFree