JSON Diff — Compare Two JSON Files or Objects Online
Paste two JSON objects, arrays, or files to compare them side-by-side. Differences are highlighted line by line — free, private, and instant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the JSON Diff tool work?
Both JSON inputs are parsed, normalised, and pretty-printed with the same indentation, then compared line by line. Lines that differ are highlighted — red on the left, green on the right.
Does key order affect the diff?
Yes. Both JSONs are compared after normalisation (pretty-printing), so different key ordering will show as differences. If you want order-independent comparison, sort both JSONs first.
Does it handle deeply nested JSON?
Yes. Both objects are fully parsed before comparison, so the diff works regardless of nesting depth.
People Also Ask
How do I compare two JSON files online for free?
Open the JSON Diff tool, paste the first file's contents into the left panel and the second into the right panel. The comparison runs instantly in your browser — no upload, no sign-up, and no file size limit beyond what your browser can hold.
Can I compare JSON arrays, not just objects?
Yes. Paste a JSON array on each side and the tool diffs it the same way as an object — element by element, line by line. Just be aware that reordering array items will show up as a diff even if the underlying data is unchanged.
What's the difference between JSON diff and deep equal?
Deep equal returns a single true/false answer — it tells you the objects aren't identical but not why. JSON diff shows exactly which lines changed, what was added, and what was removed, which is what you actually need when debugging an API response or a config change.
Is my JSON data uploaded anywhere when I use this tool?
No. Both JSON inputs are parsed and compared entirely client-side, in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, which makes it safe to paste in JSON containing sensitive data like API responses or internal config.
Can I diff a large JSON file?
Yes, though very large files (several megabytes) may take a moment to parse and render since the comparison runs in the browser rather than on a server. For typical API responses and config files, the diff is instant.