Side by side
GNU gprof vs Scalene
Both stand on profiling software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose GNU gprof when you need flat profiles, call graphs, or annotated source for a program built with profiling enabled. Its timing boundaries and function-call overhead matter when interpreting results. For line-by-line profiling on newer GCC versions, the manual points to gcov; it also describes gprofng as a more modern Binutils profiler with more functionality.
Visit GNU gprofScalene combines detailed Python profiling with multiple interfaces and optional AI optimization proposals. Its NVIDIA-based GPU reporting and potential Windows troubleshooting requirement are worth noting before choosing it.
Visit ScaleneThe facts
| GNU gprof | Scalene | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Self-hosted | Extension, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | sourceware.org | github.com |
| On profiling software | #7 of 29 | #11 of 29 |
GNU gprof: what it does well
- Reports can include a flat profile, call graph, and annotated source.
- Combines statistics from multiple profile data files.
- Free and open source under the GNU Binutils project.
- Supports profiling for C and C++ programs.
What to know first
- Profiling requires compiling and linking with `-pg` or equivalent.
- Timing excludes periods when the program is not running.
- Profiling overhead can create artificial hot spots.
- Line profiling works only with older GCC builds.
Scalene: what it does well
- Reports CPU, GPU, and memory use.
- Separates Python, native-code, and system time.
- Identifies lines with likely memory leaks.
- Offers command-line, GUI, VS Code, and notebook interfaces.
- Web interface works offline and processes profiles locally.
What to know first
- GPU profiling reports time on NVIDIA-based systems.
- Windows troubleshooting may require the Visual C++ Redistributable.
Alternatives to GNU gprof Alternatives to Scalene The whole list