JSON Diff Checker

About JSON diff checker

The JSON diff checker compares two JSON documents by structure rather than by text and lists every path that was added, removed or changed. Because it parses both sides first, differences in key order or formatting are ignored. It is aimed at comparing API responses, configuration versions and fixtures.

How to use it

1. Paste the earlier document into Original JSON and the later one into Changed JSON. Two sample documents are loaded to start.
2. Wait for the comparison, which updates as you type, or fix the labeled error if one side is invalid.
3. Read the added, removed and changed badges, then go through the path-by-path list.
4. Press Copy report to copy the differences as plain text lines.

Two versions of a small package description

Original: {"name":"x","version":"1.0.0","config":{"theme":"light","beta":false},"tags":["json","csv"]}
Changed: {"name":"x","version":"1.1.0","config":{"theme":"dark"},"tags":["json","csv","schema"],"license":"MIT"}

Changed version: "1.0.0" to "1.1.0"
Changed config.theme: "light" to "dark"
Removed config.beta: false
Added tags[2]: "schema"
Added license: "MIT"

When to use it

• Finding out what changed between two responses from the same API endpoint.
• Reviewing a modified settings file before it replaces the version in production.
• Confirming that a data migration left an unrelated part of a document untouched.
• Checking a test fixture against the payload your code actually produced.

Questions about JSON diff checker

Does key order matter?

No. Objects are matched by key name, so the same properties in a different order count as identical. Only values that differ, and keys present on one side, are reported.

How are arrays compared?

Position by position. Inserting an item at the start shifts everything after it, so comparing 1,2,3 with 0,1,2,3 reports three changed indexes and one added. Sort both arrays first if order should not count.

Is the number 1 the same as 1.0?

Yes, because both parse to the same value. But the number 1 and the string 1 are different types, so that pair is listed as a change.

What does the path column look like?

Object keys are joined with dots and array positions use brackets, for example config.theme or tags[2]. If the two roots themselves differ in type, the path is a single dollar sign.

What appears when nothing differs?

A message stating the two documents are structurally identical, in place of the table. Empty input on either side produces an error naming which document is empty.

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