React Developer Tools vs JSON Formatter
React Developer Tools and JSON Formatter both compete in the same corner of the Chrome Web Store (json), but they are built for different users. React Developer Tools has roughly 5M users and a 3.9-star average; JSON Formatter sits at about 2M users with 4.3 stars.
Side-by-side comparison
| React Developer Tools | JSON Formatter | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,600 | 2,100 |
| Users | ~5M+ | ~2M+ |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Developer | Meta | Callum Locke |
| Last updated | 2026-06-11 | 2026-04-30 |
| Best for | React developers debugging component state and render performance. | Anyone poking at REST APIs directly in the browser. |
Final recommendation
React Developer Tools wins on adoption, but JSON Formatter scores higher with reviewers — start there if ratings matter more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install React Developer Tools and JSON Formatter at the same time?
Yes, Chrome runs them independently. Keep both only if they do different jobs; if they overlap, pick one, because each active extension adds memory use, page scripts and another set of permissions.
Where do the ratings and install numbers come from?
From each extension's public Chrome Web Store listing. They can lag the live store slightly, and a dash means the figures have not been synced yet.
Keep researching
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