async-profiler review
A deep, self-hosted profiler for Java and native workloads, with narrower platform coverage.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 aimed at developers and performance engineers who need detailed visibility into CPU activity, memory allocation, locks, wall-clock behavior and performance counters without adopting a hosted profiling service.
Its strongest advantage is the breadth of profiling modes in a single tool. CPU profiling can include Java, native, JVM and kernel stack frames, while separate modes cover Java heap allocations, native memory allocations and leaks, Java monitors, native pthread locks, and running, sleeping or blocked threads. Java method instrumentation and tracing add more detail, and hardware and software performance counters extend analysis beyond sampled execution. Flame Graph and JFR output provide established formats for examining results, while command-line tools, agent integration, Java APIs and C APIs support different operating models.
The published project details show a free open-source distribution delivered as local binaries and libraries rather than a hosted service. Officially maintained builds are listed for Linux and macOS, with other ports documented, so teams should align deployment plans with their target environments. The supported language scope is Java, C and C++, and the deployment model is self-hosted. Choose async-profiler when deep Java and native profiling, programmatic control and multiple output formats matter. Consider another profiling product if your priority is broader platform or language coverage, or a hosted service instead of local tooling.
async-profiler pros and cons
- 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
async-profiler fact sheet, pricing and score →
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