What is JSON Formatter Chrome extension doing now?

It's closed-source, pushing premium features and reportedly injecting adware; stick to the Classic fork for safety.

Is JSON Formatter Classic still free and open source?

Yes, available on Chrome Web Store or from source — no ads, no updates, fully auditable.

Why did JSON Formatter go closed source?

Dev wants to monetize with commercial API tools; open version left for forks but won't get fixes.

JSON Formatter Dev Shuts Down Open Source, Turns Chrome Extension Into Ad-Pushing Cash Grab

If you're a dev who lives in Chrome's dev tools formatting APIs all day, brace yourself. Your favorite JSON Formatter just went closed-source, and whispers of adware are already swirling.

theAIcatchup Apr 10, 2026 4 min read

⚡ Key Takeaways

JSON Formatter Chrome extension is now closed-source with adware reports in the main version. 𝕏
Grab 'JSON Formatter Classic' for a free, local-only alternative before issues arise. 𝕏
This signals broader open source risks in browser extensions amid monetization pressures. 𝕏

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#Chrome extension #JSON formatter #adware #developer tools #open source

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Originally reported by Hacker News

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