See It in Action
About ParseLab
ParseLab is a native data file editor for 8 structured formats — JSON, YAML, TOML, XML, CSV, PLIST, INI, and ENV. Edit with syntax highlighting, navigate with tree view, validate with JSON Schema, convert between formats, and analyze data structures — all on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Developers, DevOps engineers, and data analysts work with structured data files every day — configuration files, API responses, data exports, infrastructure definitions. When you need to quickly inspect a JSON payload on your phone, edit a YAML config on a train, validate a TOML file against a schema, or convert an XML export to CSV, you shouldn't need to open a laptop or paste your data into a web tool that may mishandle your format, strip comments, or silently drop fields. ParseLab gives you a native, offline-capable editor purpose-built for structured data on every Apple device.
ParseLab handles all 8 major structured data formats natively: JSON, YAML, TOML, XML, CSV, PLIST, INI, and ENV. Each format gets its own syntax highlighting engine that understands the grammar — keys, values, strings, numbers, booleans, comments, and structural elements are all color-coded distinctly, with multiple themes to match your preference. The interactive tree view lets you expand and collapse nodes, search within the tree to jump to any key, and see the full path to any element — essential for navigating deeply nested configurations that would be impossible to parse by scrolling raw text. The editor supports find and replace with full regex, undo/redo history, and format-aware auto-indentation.
The format converter transforms between any combination of supported formats instantly — JSON to YAML, XML to JSON, CSV to TOML, and every other permutation — preserving data types, comments where the target format supports them, and structure. Batch conversion processes entire folders at once with customizable presets, so you can convert a directory of JSON configs to YAML in a single operation. The diff tool compares two files side by side with structural awareness, highlighting exactly what changed between two versions of a configuration file. And the AI analysis engine examines your data structures, identifies patterns, suggests optimizations, and answers natural language questions about unfamiliar files.
Core Features
Format-Aware Syntax Highlighting
Each of the 8 supported formats (JSON, YAML, TOML, XML, CSV, PLIST, INI, ENV) gets its own syntax highlighting engine that understands the grammar of the format. Keys, values, strings, numbers, booleans, comments, and structural elements are all color-coded distinctly. Multiple themes are available to match your visual preference.
Interactive Tree View
Navigate complex, deeply-nested data structures with an interactive tree view. Expand and collapse nodes, search within the tree to jump directly to any key or value, and see the full path to any element. For large files, the tree view makes it possible to understand structure that would be impossible to parse by scrolling through raw text.
Find, Replace & Regex
Full find-and-replace with regular expression support, match highlighting, and undo/redo history. Search across the entire file or within a selected scope. Match highlighting shows you every occurrence as you type your query, so you can verify replacements before committing them.
JSON Schema Validation
Validate JSON and TOML files against JSON Schema definitions with detailed error messages that include the exact path to the problem, the expected type or value, and suggestions for how to fix it. Load schemas from file or paste them directly. Schema validation catches structural errors that syntax checking alone would miss.
Format Conversion & Batch Processing
Convert between any of the 8 supported formats with a single tap. The converter preserves data types, comments (where the target format supports them), and structure. Batch conversion processes entire folders of files — convert a directory of JSON configs to YAML, or transform CSV exports into structured XML, all with customizable presets.
AI-Powered Data Analysis
Get intelligent insights about your data structures. The AI analysis engine examines your files and provides structure summaries, identifies patterns, suggests optimizations, and answers natural language questions about the data. Useful for understanding unfamiliar configuration files or large datasets.
Parse, Edit, Convert — All in One App
The native data file editor for developers who work with structured data on the go.
Download on App StoreA Native Tool for Structured Data
Web-based JSON formatters and YAML validators work fine when you have a browser open and internet connectivity. ParseLab gives you that same power natively on your devices, with the speed and file access that comes from running locally. Open files directly from your file system, iCloud Drive, or other apps — no copy-pasting into a browser tab.
The free tier handles viewing, basic editing, and single-file operations for all 8 formats. The Pro upgrade at $9.99 unlocks schema validation, regex search, batch conversion, the diff tool, AI analysis, and large file support. One-time purchase with no subscription.
What's New in v4.0
Batch Conversion
Convert entire folders of files between formats with customizable presets and auto-conversion.
Data Transformation
Transform, diff, and merge data files with powerful manipulation tools.
Visualization Engine
Explore your data with structure analysis, metrics, and visual analytics dashboards.
From the Blog
JSON vs YAML vs TOML: Choosing the Right Configuration File Format
Configuration files come in many formats, each with distinct trade-offs. This guide compares JSON, YAML, and TOML to help you choose the right one for your project.
Read article →DevelopmentEssential Config File Tools Every Mobile Developer Needs
Mobile development involves dozens of configuration files across multiple formats. The right tools make managing them efficient instead of painful.
Read article →Data FormatsIs XML Still Relevant for Modern Developers?
JSON has replaced XML in many contexts, but XML remains essential in specific domains. Learn where XML still matters and when to choose it.
Read article →DevelopmentUsing Diff Tools to Compare Data Files and Catch Bugs Faster
Standard text diffs miss structural changes in data files. Learn how semantic diff tools help you catch configuration bugs before they reach production.
Read article →Apple DevelopmentUnderstanding Plist Files: The Apple Configuration Format Explained
Property list (plist) files are central to Apple development. Learn what they contain, how they work, and how to manage them effectively.
Read article →SecurityThe Developer Guide to .env Files and Secret Management
Environment variables keep secrets out of source code, but .env files introduce their own risks. Learn best practices for managing secrets safely.
Read article →
Parse, Edit, Convert — All in One App
The native data file editor for developers who work with structured data on the go.
Download on App Store