Developer guide
JSON vs XML
Compare JSON and XML for APIs, configuration, documents, and structured data exchange.
JSON and XML can both represent structured information, but they have different strengths. The better choice depends on the contract, tooling, and data model you need.
JSON is compact
JSON maps naturally to objects, arrays, and common application data. It is usually less verbose and is supported directly by JavaScript and many modern API tools.
XML is expressive
XML supports attributes, namespaces, mixed content, and mature validation standards. These features can be valuable for document-shaped data and long-lived enterprise integrations.
Choose based on the contract
Do not convert formats just because one looks shorter. Consider schema validation, streaming needs, existing clients, human editing, and how clearly each format represents the data.