SingleTab Browser logo

React Developer Tools vs JSON Formatter

React Developer Tools and JSON Formatter overlap heavily, but they optimise for different users. Here is how they compare.

React Developer Tools Chrome extension logo

React Developer Tools

3.9

Inspect React component trees, props and state.

Add to ChromeFull review
JSON Formatter Chrome extension logo

JSON Formatter

4.3

Makes raw JSON responses readable in the browser.

Add to ChromeFull review

Side-by-side comparison

React Developer ToolsJSON Formatter
Rating3.9 / 54.3 / 5
Reviews1,6002,100
Users~5M+~2M+
PricingFreeFree
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDeveloper Tools
DeveloperMetaCallum Locke
Last updated2026-06-112026-04-30
Best forReact developers debugging component state and render performance.Anyone poking at REST APIs directly in the browser.

React Developer Tools features

  • Feature list coming soon.

JSON Formatter features

  • Feature list coming soon.

React Developer Tools: pros & cons

  • Live props and state editing
  • Render profiler
  • Hooks inspection
  • Official and free
  • Only useful for React apps
  • Profiler has a learning curve
  • Can slow very large trees

JSON Formatter: pros & cons

  • Automatic pretty printing
  • Collapsible tree view
  • Handles large payloads
  • Open source
  • No request editing
  • Limited theming
  • Only works on JSON responses

Final recommendation

Both are credible. Choose React Developer Tools if its strengths match your primary use case, and JSON Formatter if you need what it does better.

Choose React Developer ToolsChoose JSON Formatter

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between React Developer Tools and JSON Formatter?

React Developer Tools and JSON Formatter overlap in the same job, but they optimise differently: one is tuned for speed and simplicity, the other for depth and control. The side-by-side table above shows the current ratings, install base, pricing and who each one is built for, all synced from the public Chrome Web Store listings.

Can I use React Developer Tools and JSON Formatter together?

In most cases yes — Chrome runs extensions independently. Keep both only if they cover different needs, because each active extension adds memory use, page scripts and one more set of permissions to trust. If their features clearly duplicate, pick one and remove the other.

Is React Developer Tools or JSON Formatter free?

Check the pricing row in the comparison table: it reflects the current model for each extension, whether that is free, freemium with paid limits, or paid only. Free tiers change often, so the store listing linked from each card is the source of truth.

Which one is safer to install?

Compare the permissions each one requests on its Chrome Web Store page and prefer the extension asking for less. Also look at the developer, the last update date and the review count — an actively maintained extension with a large install base and narrow permissions is the safer choice.

How often is this comparison updated?

Ratings, review counts and install numbers are refreshed nightly from the Chrome Web Store, and the editorial verdict is reviewed whenever either extension ships a significant change.

Keep researching

Alternatives, shortlists and other comparisons in the same category.

React Developer Tools alternativesClosest replacements for React Developer Tools, ranked.JSON Formatter alternativesClosest replacements for JSON Formatter, ranked.Best Developer Tools extensionsEvery Developer Tools extension we track.Wappalyzer vs JSON FormatterStack detection for recon work against readable API responses in the browser.React Developer Tools vs WappalyzerBoth are developer tools extensions people shortlist together — see how ratings, install base, pricing and day-to-day use differ.All comparisonsThe full compare hub, grouped by category.