# JSONPad vs TabForge

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: JSONPad at none against TabForge's 5. JSONPad also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 27.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TabForge sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. JSONPad asks for nothing beyond the download.

JSONPad ships an update every 5 days, TabForge every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | JSONPad | TabForge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabforge-code-keyboard/id6824056795/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 27.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Colin Schmale](https://appshunter.io/developer/1669237798) | [Jeremy Collins](https://appshunter.io/developer/1324741658) |

## What reviewers say

### JSONPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jsonpad-json-viewer-and-editor/id6808022749)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### TabForge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabforge-code-keyboard/id6824056795)

This open-source keyboard enhances coding on iPhone and iPad with dedicated programming keys, editing controls, and customizable layouts. It offers features like snippet saving, language suggestions, and optional swipe typing for efficient script and command writing.

**Highlights:** Programming and punctuation keys, Cursor movement and editing controls, Customizable indentations and newlines, Save and insert code snippets, Language suggestions for popular languages, Multiple layout options for phone and iPad, Optional swipe typing and voice-to-code

**Features:** iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Thoughtful Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Wonderful Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Incredible Tip | $3.99 | one-time |
| Extraordinary Tip | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is JSONPad free?

JSONPad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is TabForge free?

TabForge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do JSONPad or TabForge have ads?

Neither JSONPad nor TabForge shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, JSONPad or TabForge?

JSONPad ships an update every 5 days, and TabForge every 4 days. Most recently, JSONPad was updated on October 24, 2026 and TabForge on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*