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JSON Formatter Pro and REST Client are not substitutes for each other. JSON Formatter Pro works on JSON documents: it formats, validates, inspects and transforms them. REST Client sends HTTP and GraphQL requests from inside your editor and shows the responses. For 2026, the better tool depends on the job. Use JSON Formatter Pro for JSON files and payloads, and REST Client for calling APIs. The available evidence does not support naming an overall winner.
Which products this comparison covers
Both names are shared by more than one product, so the comparison needs a fixed scope. This article covers JSON Formatter Pro by WhySubaru, listed as version 2.0.0 on the Visual Studio Code Marketplace, and REST Client Pro by Truman, also a Visual Studio Code extension. Two other products carry similar names and are not covered here. Formatter Pro from Intellixon is a multi-language formatter with JSON minification. The JSON Formatter Pro Chrome extension is a browser-based JSON viewer. Neither is the extension discussed below.
Task-based comparison
The fastest way to decide is to start with the task you need to finish. The table below uses only what each publisher’s Marketplace listing describes, so every row reflects a publisher claim rather than an independent test.
The Tool Desk
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|---|---|---|
| Pretty-print or minify a JSON file | JSON Formatter Pro | Formatting with configurable indentation and minification. No independent performance test was found. |
| Find malformed JSON and locate the error | JSON Formatter Pro | Validation that reports an error location. |
| Explore nested data, copy a path, convert JSON/YAML, or diff two files | JSON Formatter Pro | A JSON tree viewer, path copying, JSON/YAML conversion and diffing. |
| Send HTTP or GraphQL requests from the editor | REST Client Pro | Sending, cancelling and rerunning requests, with responses shown in a separate pane. |
| Keep several requests and environment variables in one file | REST Client Pro | Multiple requests separated by ###, file variables and environment switching. |
| Choose an overall winner on price, security or speed | Not established | Neither listing establishes comparable pricing, an independent security review or benchmark data. |
What JSON Formatter Pro covers
Formatting, minifying and validating
The listing describes pretty-printing with configurable indentation, minification, clipboard formatting, and validation that identifies where an error sits in the document. These are the features most people reach for when a response body is one long line or a config file will not parse.
#1 Best Overall
- The Anker Advantage: Join the 65 million+ powered by our leading technology.
- Instant Internet: Connect to the internet instantly from virtually any USB-C 3.0 device, and enjoy stable connection speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
- Lightweight and Compact: The space-saving and portable design measures just over half an inch thick and weighs about the same as a AA battery.
- Premium Build: Features a sleek aluminum exterior and braided-nylon cable to complement the design of high-end devices.
- What You Get: PowerExpand USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, welcome guide, 18-month worry-free warranty, and friendly customer service.
Inspecting and transforming data
Beyond formatting, the listing lists a JSON tree viewer, copying the path to a value, JSON/YAML conversion, file diffing, document statistics, recursive key sorting, duplicate-key removal, comment removal, empty-value cleanup, and key/value search. This set suits data cleanup and review rather than network work.
Large files and where processing happens
The publisher states that large files are handled by a background worker and that processing is local to your machine. Both are vendor statements. The listing does not provide measured speeds or file-size limits, so treat “large” as unquantified. The listing also places some features under a heading called “Premium Toolkit”; which features that covers is addressed in the verification section below.
Rank #2
- USB-C Meets 1000Mbps Ethernet in Seconds：UGREEN usb c to ethernet adapter supports fast speeds up to 1000Mbps and is backward compatible with 100/10Mbps network. Perfect for work, gaming, streaming, or downloading with a stable, reliable wired connection
- Extend a Ethernet Port for Your Device：This ethernet to usb c adds a Gigabit RJ45 port to your device. It’s the perfect solution for new laptops without built-in Ethernet, devices with damaged LAN ports, or when WiFi is unavailable or unstable
- Plug and Play: This Ethernet adapter is driver-free for Windows 11/10/8.1/8, macOS, Chrome OS, and Android. Drivers are required for Windows XP/7/Vista and Linux, and can be easily installed using our instructions. LED indicator shows status at a glance
- Small Adapter, Big Attention to Detail: The usb c to ethernet features a durable aluminum alloy case for faster heat dissipation than plastic. Its reinforced cable tail and wear-resistant port ensure long-lasting durability. Compact size and easy to carry
- Widely Compatible: The usbc to ethernet adapter is compatible with most laptops, tablets, smartphones, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck with USB-C or Thunderbolt 4/3 port, like MacBook Pro/Air, XPS, iPhone 17/16/15 Pro/Pro Max, Mac Mini, Chromebook, iPad
What REST Client Pro covers
Sending, rerunning and reading responses
The listing describes sending, cancelling and rerunning requests, with responses displayed in a separate pane and the option to save them. It also lists GraphQL support, cURL import and export, and SOAP requests. Response preview and request CodeLens are configurable, along with settings for redirects, headers and timeouts.
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Authentication, environments and cookies
Authentication options named in the listing include Basic and Digest authentication and SSL client certificates. Environment variables and environment switching let the same request run against different hosts. Cookie handling and proxy support are also described. The listing presents these as features, not as a security assessment.
Rank #3
- Adapter for converting a USB 3.1 Type-C port to a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port
- Integrated Ethernet port supports 10M/100M/1000M bandwidth; offers instant Internet connection to the host
- USB-C input allows for reversible plugging; offers complete compatibility with current computers and devices; compatible with Nintendo Switch
- Ready to use, right out of the box; no external power adapter needed
- Slim, compact size and lightweight aluminum housing for easy portability
Organizing requests in a file
Requests live in a plain text file, separated by ###, and can use file-level variables. Code snippets can be generated from a request. Because a request file often holds hostnames, tokens or passwords, how you store those values matters as much as the feature list.
Choosing between them
- Use JSON Formatter Pro when you already have a JSON file, a saved payload, or a response body and need to clean it, validate it, compare it, or read it in a tree.
- Use REST Client Pro when you need to call an endpoint, change a header or body, rerun the same request, or keep a set of requests in your project.
- Use both if your work moves between calling APIs and reshaping their output. The two listings describe complementary functions, so running both is reasonable.
- Keep credentials out of shared files. Put tokens and passwords in environment variables or a local, uncommitted file rather than in request text that goes into version control.
What the listings do not establish
- Price and licensing. The JSON Formatter Pro listing does not state a price, a license model, or which features require payment.
- Security and privacy. JSON Formatter Pro says processing is local, and REST Client Pro documents authentication and certificate options. Neither listing is an independent security review, and no independent review was found for either extension.
- Performance. No comparative benchmarks are available for either tool. Claims about handling large files or responding quickly are unmeasured.
- Maintenance. Current maintenance status, release cadence and compatibility beyond Visual Studio Code are not established.
Verifying before you install
- Open the Extensions view in Visual Studio Code with Ctrl+Shift+X (Cmd+Shift+X on macOS).
- Search for JSON Formatter Pro and confirm the publisher is WhySubaru. Search for REST Client Pro and confirm the publisher is Truman. Skip the Intellixon and Chrome products.
- Open each extension’s details page and check the version, the last-updated date, and any permissions or data notes the page shows.
- Check the price and the premium-labelled features on the Marketplace page before you depend on them in a workflow.
- If you will send requests to a live service, test against a staging or development endpoint first and load credentials from environment variables.
- If speed matters for your work, time both tools on your own representative JSON files and API calls. Published vendor claims are not a substitute for that check.
Listing details can change after this article is published, so confirm them on the Marketplace pages before installing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Reliable & Endurance Connectivity】Designed specifically for plug-and-play connection between USB-C devices and wired network, provides gigabit ethernet connectivity even when wireless connectivity is Inconsistent or over extended.
- 【Surfing at Full Speed】Obtain stable connection speeds up to 1Gbps; downward compatible with 100Mbps/10Mbps networks. Our Type-C to LAN Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) Network Adapter supports large downloads at maximum speeds without interruption.✅ To reach 1Gbps, make sure to use CAT6 & up Ethernet cables.
- 【Compact & Friendly Design】Compact and lightweight, with a user-friendly non-slip design for easier plug and unplug. Braided nylon cable for extra durability. Premium aluminum casing for better heat insulation. Fits snugly with the USB-C ports on your devices, better signal transfer protection.
- 【Wide Compatibility】Compatible with iPhone 15 Series, MacBook Pro 16''/15” (2023/2022/2021/2020/2019/2018/2017), MacBook (2019/2018/2017), MacBook Air 13” (2022/2018), iPad Pro (2022/2020/2018); XPS 13/15/17; Surface Book 2; Google Pixelbook, Chromebook, Pixel, Pixel 2; Asus ZenBook. Compatible with Samsung S20/S10/S9/S8/S8+, Note 8/9, Galaxy Tablet Tab A 10.5, and many other USB-C laptops, tablets, and smartphones. (NOT compatible with Nintendo Switch.)
- 【18 MONTH WARRANTY】: Exclusive BENFEI Unconditional 18-month Warranty ensures long-time satisfaction of your purchase; Friendly and easy-to-reach customer service to solve your problems timely
Rank #4
- 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐒𝐁-𝐂 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 - Instantly transform your laptop or tablet’s USB-C port into a reliable wired connection with a 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet port. Perfect for replacing unstable Wi-Fi in situations that require uninterrupted connectivity, such as online meetings, gaming, and media streaming.
- 𝐔𝐒𝐁-𝐂 𝟑.𝟎 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - Experience full Gigabit Ethernet performance over your laptop’s USB-C 3.0 port and elevate your browsing experience to transfer files, play games, video chat, and stream HD videos seamlessly. (To reach 1Gbps, please use CAT6 or up Ethernet cables.)
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 - At just 2.8 x 1.0 x 0.6 inches, the UE300C slips easily into your laptop bag or pocket. The lightweight yet durable build makes it perfect for travel, remote work, or quick setup in conference rooms.
- 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲- No driver required for Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux (Ubuntu). Simply connect and enjoy instant wired internet access without complicated setup.
- 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲- Works seamlessly with most USB-C devices, including MacBook Pro/Air, iPad Pro, Dell XPS, Surface Laptop, Chromebook, and more—making it a versatile network upgrade for home, office, or on-the-go use.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
