Formatter vs GEN
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Formatter
This utility app transforms messy JSON data into a clean, readable format. It eliminates the frustration of scrolling and eye strain associated with poorly formatted code, simplifying data analysis.
- Seamless JSON formatting
- Transforms unruly JSON
- Clean, human-readable output
- Simplifies data analysis
Read full descriptionHide full description
Are you tired of wrangling messy JSON data? Frustrated by the endless scrolling and eye-straining formatting? Say goodbye to the headache and hello to simplicity with our JSON Formatter App! Seamless JSON Formatting: Our app takes your unruly JSON data and effortlessly transforms it into a clean, human-readable format. No more squinting at the screen, trying to make sense of tangled code!
GEN
This tool generates professional video reference signals and offers display analysis capabilities for broadcast engineers and AV professionals. It helps test, troubleshoot, and evaluate video paths, routing systems, and displays with advanced signal quality features.
- Professional test patterns
- Video reference clips
- Multiple video formats and frame rates
- RasterScope Analysis
- SWEEP technology
- External display output
Read full descriptionHide full description
GEN-B is a professional broadcast signal generator and display analysis tool designed for broadcast engineers, AV professionals, system integrators, technicians, and anyone who needs reliable video reference signals for testing, troubleshooting, and display evaluation. Built for portability and real-world workflows, GEN-B turns your device into a powerful signal generation and analysis platform capable of producing high-quality video references while providing practical display analysis tools. VIDEO REFERENCES GEN-B includes a comprehensive library of professional video reference signals designed to evaluate displays, video paths, routing systems, converters, switchers, processors, and monitoring equipment. Features include: • Professional test patterns • Video reference clips • Multiple video formats • Multiple frame rates • Geometry references • Grayscale references • Color references • Luma references • Gamma evaluation patterns • Resolution and focus references SIGNAL QUALITY GEN-B was developed with signal quality as a primary objective. The application provides high-quality video references suitable for professional evaluation workflows, including progressive and interlaced formats across multiple frame rates. Selected reference content supports advanced color reproduction, up to 12-bit video precision, and 4:4:4 chroma sampling, helping preserve fine image detail, color fidelity, and signal accuracy throughout the testing process. DISPLAY ANALYSIS GEN-B goes beyond traditional signal generation by incorporating display analysis capabilities. Using RasterScope Analysis and SWEEP technology, GEN-B can evaluate display behavior using generated reference signals and mathematical analysis techniques. Analysis functions help users better understand: • Active display area • Aspect ratio behavior • Image positioning • Display utilization • Side matte detection • Signal-to-display mapping SWEEP TECHNOLOGY At the core of GEN-B’s analysis system is a programmable RasterScope White Box Scanner. The scanner moves through the generated raster while mathematical analysis is used to interpret positional behavior and produce meaningful display evaluation information. Rather than relying only on assumptions, GEN-B generates a known reference signal and analyzes how that signal is represented on the connected display. This approach provides practical engineering insight using a portable mobile platform. TROUBLESHOOTING GEN-B was created to assist with real-world troubleshooting scenarios. Use GEN-B to: • Verify display operation • Evaluate video paths • Test display scaling behavior • Identify aspect ratio issues • Validate system performance • Troubleshoot signal routing problems • Confirm display response to known reference signals FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY GEN-B supports multiple external display workflows, allowing users to work in a variety of environments. Supported workflows include: • Direct external display output through compatible adapters and cables • USB-C display connections where supported • DisplayPort-compatible workflows • Wireless Output using Apple Screen Mirroring when available When using direct external display connections, additional analysis features such as RasterScope Analysis and SWEEP may be available depending on the connected hardware. RasterScope Analysis and SWEEP Analysis require direct output verification and are not available through Screen Mirroring, since mirroring may scale, composite, or reinterpret the image before it reaches the display. A TOOL DESIGNED BY ENGINEERS GEN-B was designed from an engineering perspective. The application combines signal generation, display analysis, mathematical modeling, and troubleshooting tools into a portable solution that remains simple to operate. Generate known reference signals. Analyze real-world display behavior. Transform observations into meaningful engineering information. GEN-B by Precision Broadcast Engineering.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Formatter at free against GEN's paid. Formatter also leads on device support (3 vs 1). GEN's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Formatter against 5.0 for GEN. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Formatter ships an update every 2 months, GEN every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on June 4, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Formatter | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 208 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mew Sang Lim | Precision Broadcast Engineering LLC |
Customer experience
Formatter
GEN
In-app purchases
Formatter
No in-app purchases
GEN
No in-app purchases









