Side by side
GDB vs LLDB
Both stand on debuggers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
GDB covers program inspection across multiple operating systems, languages, and target types. Some capabilities depend on platform support or a Python-enabled build.
Visit GDB Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2
LLDB combines debugger tools with APIs and editor integrations, and is the default debugger in Xcode on macOS. Check the platform-specific status, particularly for Windows and ARM-family support, before choosing it for those targets.
Visit LLDBThe facts
| GDB | LLDB | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | sourceware.org | lldb.llvm.org |
| On debuggers | #7 of 27 | #3 of 27 |
GDB: what it does well
- Supports local, remote, and simulator targets
- Includes conditional and exception breakpoints
- Record-and-replay supports forward and reverse execution
- Supports a broad list of programming languages
- Free software under the GNU General Public License
What to know first
- Record-and-replay is limited to supported platforms
- Debugger Adapter Protocol requires Python support
LLDB: what it does well
- Free and open source under Apache 2.0 with LLVM exceptions.
- Default debugger in Xcode on macOS.
- Supports breakpoints, watchpoints, launching, and attaching.
- Provides C++ API and Python bindings.
- Remote debugging includes Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS.
What to know first
- Windows support remains under active development.
- ARM and AArch64 support is more experimental.
- lldb-dap does not support step-back.
- lldb-dap does not support setting a variable.