Problem solved by Diff Anything
Compare two JSON API responses on Mac. Paste both responses, ignore changing request IDs and timestamps, and find removed fields, added fields and type changes locally.
See it in the app
No accounts, cloud comparison service, analytics, or telemetry.
The problem
The same API request returns something different after an update. Both responses are one long line, and new request IDs and timestamps make a text comparison noisy. You need to find the changes that affect your client.
The solution
Paste the two responses into Diff Anything. It recognizes JSON and compares the values. Ignore the changing request ID and timestamp, then review the remaining field and type changes. Responses stay on your Mac, with no AI involved.
01 / Compare pasted JSON responses
The tutorial compares the same order request against two versions of a local demo API. Each response arrives on one long line. Diff Anything reads them as JSON, so a different indentation or object-key order does not create a difference.
Copy the responses from your browser, API client or terminal. Use clipboard as original starts the comparison; Use clipboard as updated supplies the other side.
02 / Compare pasted JSON responses
The example starts with five differences. Recommended rules offers to ignore $.requestId and $.timestamp. Applying those two suggestions reruns the comparison and leaves three differences.
Choose the fields you want to ignore. A request ID or timestamp can matter in another review, so keep a rule only when it fits the question you are answering.
03 / Compare pasted JSON responses
The original response contains email; the updated response contains emailAddress instead. Diff Anything shows one removed field and one added field, so you can check what your client expects.
The total also changes from the number 61 to the string "61.00". A similar-looking value can have a different JSON type. The result names the type change and shows both values beside their path.
04 / Compare pasted JSON responses
The pasted JSON workflow shown here is available in Free, with up to 5 MiB per side and 10 new comparison sessions per local day. Pro supports larger sources within technical safety limits and adds features such as report export.
Your responses are processed locally on your computer. They are not uploaded to a comparison service or sent to an AI model.
Clear answers
No. Copy the first response and use Use clipboard as original, then copy the second and use Use clipboard as updated.
No. JSON values are compared structurally, so object-key order and indentation do not count as changes.
Yes. The example shows total changing from the number 61 to the string "61.00", with the change in value type identified.
Three short steps
Copy the first response and choose Use clipboard as original in Diff Anything. Copy the second and choose Use clipboard as updated.
Review the five differences in the example. Under Recommended rules, ignore requestId and timestamp if those changing fields are irrelevant to your review.
Inspect the three remaining changes: email removed, emailAddress added, and total changed from the number 61 to the string "61.00".
Available for macOS and Windows