The JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) data-interchange format has become the golden standard for data exchange between different platforms and programming languages. As a web developer or data analyst, you may often work with JSON files, and having the right tool to edit and manipulate them can save you time and headaches.
If you’re a macOS user, you’re in luck: there are plenty of great JSON file editors available that can help you work more efficiently and effectively with your JSON data. In this roundup, we’ll take a look at some of the best JSON editors for Macs, their features, and what sets them apart from one another.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started with JSON, there’s an editor on this list that’s sure to meet your needs.
So, let’s dive in!
Best JSON Editors for Macs
Price: Free
Developer: JSON Viewer
JSON Viewer
If you’re looking for a lightweight and powerful JSON viewer and editor for your Mac, JSON Viewer is our top pick. This app is not only 100% free, but it’s also less than 5 MB in size, making it an excellent choice for users who want to save space on their hard drive.
One of the standout features of JSON Viewer is its syntax highlighting and hierarchical structure, which makes it easy to read JSON files and understand their underlying data. Whether you’re working with small or large JSON files, this app can handle it with ease.
JSON Viewer also allows you to prettify or minify JSON files in one click, which can be a real time-saver when you’re working with large datasets. Additionally, the app includes error highlighting, which helps you catch mistakes and bugs in your JSON files quickly.
Price: Paid
Developer: Sublime HQ
Sublime Text
If you’re a developer who works on a Mac or MacBook, you’re probably familiar with Sublime Text — and for good reason. This code editor is a powerful and versatile tool that offers a wide range of features and capabilities that make it a top choice for developers of all levels.
One of the things that makes Sublime Text so popular is its sleek, modern UI. It’s designed to work beautifully on any machine and screen size, which means that you can use it with ease whether you’re working on a laptop or a desktop computer. Additionally, the app has native support for Apple Silicon processors, which ensures that it performs quickly and efficiently on the latest Mac hardware.
One of the key features of Sublime Text is the powerful syntax highlighting engine. It’s capable of handling non-deterministic grammars, multi-line constructs, and lazy embeds, which means that it can easily handle complex code structures and provide clear and intuitive highlighting for different code elements.
Furthermore, Sublime Text provides context-aware autocomplete, which gives you smart completions for your source code and can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Price: Free
Developer: Apple
TextEdit
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to view and edit a JSON file on your Mac, look no further than TextEdit. Developed by Apple, This free text editing app comes pre-installed on all macOS computers and can handle a variety of file formats, including JSON.
While TextEdit may not be the most robust tool for working with JSON files, it’s perfect for making quick edits or looking up data. For quick and dirty edits or reference, TextEdit can be a real lifesaver.
How to use it:
Right-click on the JSON file you want to edit, then expand “Open With >” and select “TextEdit.”
How to Choose
For quick references and basic edits, use TextEdit; it’s pre-installed app on your Mac. It’s a simple and straightforward text editor that’s great for making quick edits to files or jotting down notes. However, it doesn’t offer any advanced features or syntax highlighting for code, so it’s not the best choice for serious coding work.
If you’re looking for a powerful code editor, then Sublime Text is a great option. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities, including syntax highlighting, code completion, and multiple cursors. While Sublime Text offers an unmetered trial, you’ll need to purchase an individual or business license to continue using it long-term.
Finally, if you’re specifically looking to work with JSON files, then JSON Viewer is a fantastic tool. It offers a clean and intuitive interface for viewing and editing JSON files, with hierarchical structures and syntax highlighting to help you navigate and understand the data. You can paste and edit the JSON code on the left — and view and expand/collapse the hierarchical structures on the right.
Is Visual Studio Code not included?