Freedom251 › Game Profiling Software
Optick
What Optick is
Optick is a free C++ profiler for analyzing game performance. Its tools include instrumentation, sampling, context-switch tracing, CPU profiling, frame-time analysis, and GPU counters. Developers can add it to application code with OPTICK_FRAME, OPTICK_EVENT, and OPTICK_THREAD macros. Context-switch tracing uses ETW on Windows, FTrace on Linux, and DTrace on macOS. GPU profiling supports D3D12 and Vulkan on Windows, and Vulkan on Linux and macOS. Listed desktop build configurations cover Windows x64 with MSVC, Linux x64 with Clang or GCC, and macOS x64 with Clang or GCC. Optick also provides plugins for Unreal Engine 4 and 5; v1.4.0 added support for Unreal Engine 5.0. Android support in the core is listed in the v1.3.0 release notes. Its configuration file can enable or disable features by platform or build, including disabling Optick in final builds. Each release packages a precompiled OptickCore.dll. For an executable using multiple DLLs, Optick must be included in a shared dynamic library compiled with OPTICK_EXPORT; static linking will not work. It is available under the MIT License, which provides no warranty.
Who it suits
Optick suits game developers who need performance analysis across supported desktop platforms or Android, and teams working with Unreal Engine 4 or 5. Its configuration and integration options are relevant to developers who want to control profiler features across builds.
What it does well
- Free under the MIT License.
- Includes CPU profiling and frame-time analysis.
- GPU profiling supports D3D12 and Vulkan.
- Provides Unreal Engine 4 and 5 plugins.
- Can be disabled in final builds.
What to know first
- MIT license provides no warranty.
- Multiple-DLL applications require a shared dynamic library.
- Static linking does not work for multiple-DLL use.
Limits
Optick is free under the MIT license, which provides the software as-is without warranty. When an executable uses multiple DLLs, Optick must be added to a common dynamic library compiled with OPTICK_EXPORT; static linking will not work.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MIT License | free of charge · use, copy, modify, publish and distribute permitted | Free |
As optick.dev lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Optick website.
- Choose a listed desktop build configuration or use a supported platform.
- Add OPTICK_FRAME, OPTICK_EVENT and OPTICK_THREAD macros to application code.
- For multiple DLLs in one executable, add Optick to a common dynamic library compiled with OPTICK_EXPORT.
- Configure optick.config.h to enable or disable features for the target configuration.
Verdict
Optick combines several game-performance analysis tools with integrations for multiple platforms and Unreal Engine. Check its DLL requirement if your executable uses multiple DLLs.
Questions
How much does Optick cost?
Optick is listed as free of charge under the MIT license.
Which platforms are listed?
Supported platforms are Windows, Linux, macOS, Xbox, PS4 and Android. Desktop build configurations are listed for Windows x64, Linux x64 and macOS x64.
Which GPU APIs does Optick support?
GPU profiling supports D3D12 and Vulkan on Windows, and Vulkan on Linux and macOS.
Does Optick support Unreal Engine?
It provides plugins for Unreal Engine 4 and Unreal Engine 5. Version 1.4.0 added support for Unreal Engine 5.0.
Can Optick be used in a project with multiple DLLs?
Yes, but it must be added to a common dynamic library compiled with OPTICK_EXPORT. Static linking will not work in that setup.
What does the MIT license allow?
It permits use, copying, modification, publication and distribution. It also states that the software is provided without warranty.
Facts from Optick's own pages
- Android
- The v1.3.0 release notes list Android support in the core. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Build configuration
- optick.config.h can enable or disable features for specific configurations or platforms, including disabling Optick in final builds. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Context switching
- Switch-context tracing uses ETW on Windows, FTrace on Linux and DTrace on macOS. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Core tools
- It provides instrumentation, switch-contexts, sampling and GPU counters for performance analysis and optimization. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Desktop builds
- Build configurations are listed for Windows x64 with MSVC, Linux x64 with Clang or GCC, and macOS x64 with Clang or GCC. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Dynamic linking limit
- When using multiple DLLs in one executable, the repository says Optick must be added to a common dynamic library compiled with OPTICK_EXPORT because static linking will not work. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Former name
- The project says Brofiler was renamed to Optick starting with v1.2.0. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- GPU profiling
- GPU profiling supports D3D12 and Vulkan on Windows and Vulkan on Linux and macOS. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Instrumentation
- Instrumentation works on Windows, Linux, macOS, Xbox and UE4 in the repository feature table. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Integration
- Basic integration uses OPTICK_FRAME, OPTICK_EVENT and OPTICK_THREAD macros in application code. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Latest release feature
- Optick v1.4.0 added support for Unreal Engine 5.0. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- License limitation
- The MIT license states that the software is provided as-is without warranty. · raw.githubusercontent.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Prebuilt binary
- Each release packages a precompiled OptickCore.dll. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Product
- Optick is a super-lightweight C++ profiler for games. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Unreal Engine
- Optick provides plugins for Unreal Engine 4 and Unreal Engine 5. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Where Optick stands on Freedom251
- Game Profiling Software#11 of 25