Comparison

Jayson vs Focal

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Jayson

This app allows you to view and edit JSON files directly on your device. It offers features like tabbed browsing, split-screen comparisons, and integration with Siri Shortcuts and the Share Sheet for easy JSON parsing and management.

Highlights
  • Browse JSON files
  • Table or syntax highlighted text view
  • Tabbed interface
  • Multiple splits for comparison
  • Siri Shortcuts integration
  • Share Sheet Actions
  • URL schemes
Features
Read full description

Jayson is a JSON viewer and editor for iPhone and iPad. Browse JSON as a structure, edit values, and save your changes back to the file. Whether you're inspecting an API response, checking a config file, or making a quick fix on the go, Jayson turns raw JSON into something you can actually read and change. BROWSE AND EDIT - Open JSON files stored on your device or in iCloud Drive. - Toggle between a structured table view and syntax highlighted text. - Add new values and keys, and save your changes back to the file. - Parse text or the contents of a URL from your clipboard into JSON. - Highlight a key from a child of an array to get a quick overview of your data. TABS, SPLITS, AND WINDOWS - Switch between files, or different objects in a single file, using tabs. - Compare JSON in a single file or across files using multiple splits. - Open multiple windows on the iPad. WORKS WITH SHORTCUTS Jayson integrates with Shortcuts, which comes in handy for debugging API calls, previewing JSON files, and building workflows around JSON. - Pass a response from Get Contents of URL to Jayson to see how it is structured. - Open JSON as a document you keep working on, or as a temporary preview. - Format JSON and hand the result to the next action, using spaces or tabs. FREE, WITH AN OPTIONAL UPGRADE Jayson's core functionality is free. Browsing, editing, saving, splits, Shortcuts, and working with up to two tabs at a time cost nothing. A one-time in-app purchase enables having more than two tabs open at once, switching between light and dark themes, and personalizing the app icon, accent color and type icons. One purchase, no subscription.

About

Focal

Features
Read full description

Focal is a fast, private JSON viewer that works completely offline. Open a JSON file and Focal turns it into a clean, collapsible tree you can actually read — no pasting into a website, no uploading, nothing leaving your device. Huge exports open in an instant, search finds any key or value, and the inspector shows you the exact bytes from the file, never silently reformatted. • OFFLINE & PRIVATE — your JSON never leaves your device. No account, no upload, no tracking, no ads. • OPENS HUGE FILES — an indexed viewer opens massive JSON in an instant and scrolls smoothly. • SEARCH ANYTHING — find any key or value instantly and jump straight to each match. • EXACT SOURCE — inspect the real bytes from the file, never "prettified" behind your back. • ONE APP, EVERY DEVICE — a focused reader for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Perfect for developers, QA and anyone who works with APIs, config files or data exports and just wants to read JSON quickly and privately.

Screenshots

Jayson4 screens
Focal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focal at none against Jayson's 1. Focal also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). Jayson's advantage is chart position (#83 vs unranked). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Jayson sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Focal asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Jayson versus Focal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJaysonFocal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (444 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings444 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#83 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSimon B. StøvringUMUTCAN SAHIN

Bugs and requests

Jayson

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes when opening large JSON files (89MB+)
  • Crashes on regular use despite functionality
  • Device freezing for extended periods
  • Safari compatibility broken in recent updates
  • Navigation back through JSON structure is unreliable
Show 1 more
  • Accidental file exit when attempting to navigate

Requested features

9 requests
  • Search/find functionality within files
  • JSON editing and modification capabilities
  • XML format support
  • Split-view for comparing different arrays
  • Export functionality for edited JSON
Show 4 more
  • Comment recognition in JSON files
  • Plain text editor option
  • Improved file size handling for large documents
  • Better navigation controls on mobile devices

Focal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Jayson

One-time1
  • Unlock Everything$4.99
None

Focal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Jayson free?
Jayson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focal free?
Focal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Jayson or Focal have ads?
Neither Jayson nor Focal shows ads.

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