Head-to-head · Profiling Software
VisualVM vs async-profiler
VisualVM leads on 0 checks, async-profiler on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreVisualVM · 8.4/10
- Free planboth
VisualVM scores higher on our rubric for profiling software: 8.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #9 and #10.
On deployment model, async-profiler gives you Self-hosted where VisualVM offers Desktop.
VisualVM is the better fit for free Java desktop and remote profiling. async-profiler is the better fit for free, deep Java and native profiling.
- VisualVM fits best
Free Java desktop and remote profiling
- async-profiler fits best
Free, deep Java and native profiling
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Side by side
| Feature | VisualVM 8.4/10 Visit ↗ | async-profiler 8.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Ranking | #9 in Profiling Software | #10 in Profiling Software |
| Best for | Free Java desktop and remote profiling | Free, deep Java and native profiling |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS | Linux, macOS |
| Support | Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features VisualVM 3/3 · async-profiler 3/3 | ||
| CPU profiling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Memory profiling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Thread profiling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Profiling modes | Both | Both |
| Supported languages | Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, R | Java, C, C++ |
| Deployment model | Desktop | Self-hosted |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | VisualVM is a standalone desktop tool for monitoring, troubleshooting, and profiling Java applications. It is suited to application developers, system administrators, quality engineers, and end users who need to inspect local or remote… Read the review → |
async-profiler is an open-source, self-hosted profiling tool primarily for Java applications running on HotSpot-based JVMs. It also supports native application profiling and integration with C and C++ through a native API. The project is… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
VisualVM — where it wins
- Free, open-source desktop tool for Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Supports CPU and memory profiling with sampling and instrumentation
- Includes heap dumps, thread dumps, core dumps, and offline analysis
Where it doesn't
- Primarily focused on Java application profiling
- Platform integrations are limited to Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and VS Code
- Desktop deployment does not provide a hosted profiling model
async-profiler — where it wins
- Profiles CPU, heap, native memory, locks, wall time and counters
- Outputs Flame Graphs and JFR, with Java and C APIs
- Open-source, self-hosted tooling for Java, C and C++
Where it doesn't
- Primarily targets Java applications on HotSpot-based JVMs
- Officially maintained builds focus on Linux and macOS
- Requires local binaries, libraries or agent integration
- VisualVM8.4/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source Java profiler with broad dump and offline analysis support.
Visit VisualVMFull verdict → - async-profiler8.3/10 · Free plan
A deep, self-hosted profiler for Java and native workloads, with narrower platform coverage.
Visit async-profilerFull verdict →
All profiling software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update