Top 5 Free Online Developer Tools for Productivity
When you need to move quickly, small browser-based tools often beat heavyweight IDE plugins or desktop apps. Here are five essentials that cover common day-to-day tasks — all free and privacy-friendly.
1) CSV ↔ JSON Converter
Transform CSV/Excel files into clean JSON (and back) for APIs, seed data, or quick prototyping. Runs entirely in your browser.
2) JWT Encoder/Decoder
Inspect headers and claims, re-encode tokens, and spot common pitfalls during integration and debugging.
3) Text & JSON Formatting
- Pretty-print and minify JSON for logs and requests
- Whitespace/duplicate line cleanup for quick diffs
- URL/Base64 utilities for quick encoding tasks
Tip: Keep a small toolbox page with your most used formatters bookmarked. Consistent formatting saves review time.
4) HTTP Request Snippet Builders
Rapidly craft fetch/curl examples to share with teammates. Great for docs, bug reports, and test endpoints without opening Postman.
5) Color & Icon Quick-Pickers
Need a brand-safe shade or a neutral icon fast? Lightweight pickers prevent context-switching into design tools and keep you in flow.
Workflow Tips
- Pin tools you use daily to your browser toolbar or a single hub page
- Prefer no-upload tools for sensitive data (browser-only processing)
- Automate repetitive conversions with small scripts or shell aliases
Conclusion
Browser-first tools shine when speed matters. Start with CSV ↔ JSON and JWT utilities, then grow your personal toolbox with formatters and quick-builders. The less you context-switch, the faster you ship.