[5] The editing tool contains advanced features[6] that are not present in OSM's default online editor, iD.

Some notable features of JOSM are importing GPX files (GPS tracks),[7] working with aerial imagery (including WMS, TMS and WMTS protocols), support for multiple cartographic projections, layers, relations editing,[8] data validation tools, data filtering, offline work,[9] presets and rendering styles.

[11] Many additional features (like tools for drawing buildings, adding Wikipedia links or viewing data in 3D) are available through the plugins.

[28] The software was used to perform several large scale OSM imports, including TIGER data in the United States.

[37] It covers the editing process, the tools, the plugins, the presets, the imagery functionalities, conflict resolution and other features.