Side by side
Go pprof 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.
Free plan API
Go pprof brings runtime profiling, live profile endpoints, and command-line visualization together for Go programs. Kernel support and the Unix-like build-mode limitation are worth considering for profiling plans.
Visit Go pprof Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+2
Scalene 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
| Go pprof | Scalene | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API | Extension, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | pkg.go.dev | github.com |
| On profiling software | #15 of 29 | #11 of 29 |
Go pprof: what it does well
- Supports CPU and memory profiling.
- Serves live profiles through HTTP handlers.
- Can show hot spots as an interactive graph.
- Profile output supports protocol buffer and text formats.
What to know first
- Profile quality depends on kernel support.
- Unix-like c-archive and c-shared builds have a CPU profiling caveat.
- Only CPU and goroutine profiles use labels.
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.
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