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jaq

B
B tier on JSON ToolsScore 7.0 · #4 of 29
Android app
Not listed
Free plan
Yes
Runs on
api, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Windows
github.com
The jaq homepage
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Summary

jaq is a free, MIT-licensed tool for querying and transforming data with jq filters. It works as a command-line replacement for jq and as a Rust library for compiling and running jq programs. Alongside JSON, it supports YAML, CBOR, TOML, XML, CSV, and TSV, and can convert between those formats while applying a filter. The jaq-core library can be used in multithreaded environments and handles data types beyond JSON. jaq also supports arbitrary values as object keys and strings containing arbitrary bytes, including invalid UTF-8. The project publishes benchmarks comparing jaq with jq and gojq and reports faster results on many benchmarks. Its stated security properties include memory safety and preventing input data or filters from initiating I/O, except filters may read files before execution. However, jaq does not limit resource use, so processing may consume unlimited time, memory, or stack space. The project says its core underwent two security audits and that all reported issues were addressed. Binary downloads and installation instructions are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and an online playground lets users try it.

Who it is for

jaq suits developers and data users who work with jq filters and need a command-line tool or Rust library. Its support for several formats may suit workflows that transform data beyond JSON.

What is good

  • Handles JSON, YAML, CBOR, TOML, XML, CSV, and TSV.
  • Converts formats while applying jq filters.
  • Provides both a command-line tool and Rust library.
  • Supports arbitrary byte strings and object-key values.
  • Offers Linux, macOS, and Windows downloads.

What to know first

  • Processing has no limits on time or memory use.
  • Filters may read files before execution.
  • It is a command-line tool and library, not a listed graphical app.

Verdict

jaq combines jq-style transformation with broader format support and a Rust library. Its unbounded resource use is an important consideration when processing data or filters you do not trust.

jaq plans and pricing

All plans
jaq Free MIT-licensed open-source command-line program and Rust library github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Compared on JSON tools

jq querying
Yesgithub.com
Available platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, APIgithub.com

Facts

Purpose
jaq is a jq clone focused on correctness, speed, and simplicity.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Formats
It supports JSON, YAML, CBOR, TOML, XML, CSV, and TSV data formats.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Conversions
It can convert data between supported formats while transforming it with a jq filter.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
CLI and library
jaq is both a command-line jq replacement and a Rust library for compiling and running jq programs.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Library safety
The jaq-core library can be used in multithreaded environments and supports data types beyond JSON.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Extra value support
jaq supports arbitrary values as object keys and can process strings containing arbitrary bytes, including invalid UTF-8.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Performance
The project publishes benchmarks comparing jaq with jq and gojq, and reports jaq as faster on many benchmarks.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Security
The project says jaq is memory-safe and does not let input data or filters initiate I/O, except that filters may read files before execution.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Security limits
jaq does not guard against resource exhaustion, so processing may consume unlimited time, memory, or stack space.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Security audits
The project says Radically Open Security audited jaq's core in two NLnet-funded audits and that all reported issues were addressed.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Downloads
The project provides binary downloads for Linux, Mac, and Windows, and documents installation via Homebrew and Cargo.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Try it
The project links to an online playground where users can try jaq.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
License
The project repository identifies jaq as MIT-licensed.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

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