Delve review
A deep, free Go debugger for developers who need process and runtime control.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Delve is an open-source, source-level debugger for Go programs. It is designed for Go developers who need more than basic breakpoints, including control over running processes, runtime inspection, remote debugging, and editor integration. Its command-line interface can launch, attach to, and control processes while exposing details such as goroutines, threads, registers, variables, and memory.
The product is free and open-source, with no paid plan structure to evaluate. Its capabilities cover Linux, macOS, Windows, and FreeBSD, and its ecosystem fit is defined by JSON-RPC and the Debug Adapter Protocol. Those APIs support integration with editors and other debugging tools, while headless servers provide a path for remote workflows. Delve also works with Mozilla rr traces, adding replay and reverse execution to its debugging options.
Depth is the main reason to choose Delve. Conditional breakpoints, watchpoints, exception breakpoints, core-dump creation and examination, and detailed goroutine inspection give Go teams substantial control over difficult runtime problems. Replay of Mozilla rr traces extends that depth when reverse execution is useful. The trade-off is focus: Delve supports Go rather than multiple programming languages, and its command-line orientation may not suit teams seeking a standalone visual debugger. Choose it for free, technically deep Go debugging; choose an alternative for multi-language coverage, AI-assisted features, or a primarily visual workflow.
Delve pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and open-source with source-level Go debugging
- Remote, headless, JSON-RPC, and DAP support
- Core dumps, goroutines, and reverse execution inspection
- Where it doesn't
- Supports only the Go programming language
- Primarily a command-line debugging experience
- No AI-assisted debugging features
Delve fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update