Best py-spy Alternatives in 2026
The top py-spy alternatives are Intel VTune Profiler, AMD uProf and Pyroscope: 15 profiling software our editors would look at instead of py-spy, in our ranking order.
py-spy: A focused, open-source CPU profiler for inspecting live Python processes with minimal overhead. Where it falls short: does not provide verified memory profiling.
Switching from py-spy? For most profiling software buyers the best py-spy alternative is Intel VTune Profiler, built for free, broad systems and application profiling. On a budget, Pyroscope starts at $19/mo.
Why People Look for a py-spy Alternative
- Does not provide verified memory profiling
- Uses sampling rather than broader profiling modes
- Primarily targets Python programs and Python execution paths
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallIntel VTune Profiler9.4
Free, broad systems and application profiling
Visit Intel VTune Profiler - Lowest pricePyroscope9.1
Paid plans from $19/mo
Visit Pyroscope - Best free optionIntel VTune Profiler9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Intel VTune Profiler
All 15 py-spy Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forFree, broad systems and application profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.9
A free profiler covering CPU, memory, threading, GPU/NPU, I/O, MPI, and OpenMP.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Intel VTune -
Best forFree AMD and cross-compiler systems profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.9
A free AMD-focused profiler with broad CPU, system, threading, power, GPU, and tracing analysis.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
9.2/10★★★★★Visit AMD uProf -
Best forTeams needing scalable continuous profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.9
A flexible profiler for teams that need continuous CPU and memory visibility at scale.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Pyroscope -
Best forFree continuous cloud profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.9
A free cloud profiler for continuous CPU, memory, thread, and wall-time analysis.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forDeep Java and Kotlin application profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.9
A broad Java and Kotlin profiler for deep JVM performance investigations.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit JProfiler -
Best forFree native-code memory and error profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.9
A broad, free toolkit for native-code memory, CPU, cache, and thread analysis.
- Memory profiling
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Valgrind -
Best forAWS production profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.9
A production-focused profiler for AWS workloads, with usage-based pricing and deep runtime analysis.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forProfessional .NET CPU and execution profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.9
A comprehensive .NET profiler for CPU, memory, threads, remote apps, CI, and more.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit JetBrains -
Best forFree Java desktop and remote profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.9
A free, open-source Java profiler with broad dump and offline analysis support.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit VisualVM -
Best forFree, deep Java and native profiling
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.9
A deep, self-hosted profiler for Java and native workloads, with narrower platform coverage.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit async-profiler -
Best forAdvanced Python performance analysis
- Better than py-spy:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.9
A broad Python profiler for finding CPU, memory, GPU, copy, and async bottlenecks.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Scalene -
Best forFree built-in Go profiling
A free, focused profiler for diagnosing performance and concurrency issues in Go.
- Thread profiling
- Memory profiling
7.9/10★★★★☆Explore Go pprof -
Best forWindows .NET and SQL performance profiling
A focused Windows profiler with strong .NET diagnostics, but no memory profiling or cross-platform support.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Redgate -
Best forLinux users visualizing Callgrind and Cachegrind data
Open-source Linux viewer for detailed Valgrind profile analysis.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit KDE -
Best forBasic free C and C++ call-graph profiling
A free, focused choice for function timing and call-graph analysis in C and C++.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit GNU gprof
py-spy Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to py-spy?
Intel VTune Profiler: #1 in our Profiling Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free profiler covering CPU, memory, threading, GPU/NPU, I/O, MPI, and OpenMP.
Is there a free alternative to py-spy?
Yes. Intel VTune Profiler, AMD uProf, Pyroscope, Google Cloud Profiler and Valgrind have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for py-spy alternatives?
Does not provide verified memory profiling; Uses sampling rather than broader profiling modes; Primarily targets Python programs and Python execution paths.
How do I switch from py-spy?
Export your data from py-spy (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel py-spy.
How to Switch from py-spy
- Export your data from py-spy (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel py-spy.
py-spy vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Profiling modes | Supported languages | CPU profiling | Memory profiling | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | py-spy | Free | Sampling | Python; C; C++; Cython | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 1 | Intel VTune Profiler | Yes | Free | Both | C, C++, C#, Fortran, Java, OpenCL, Python, Go, SYCL, .NET, Assembly | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | AMD uProf | Free | Both | C, C++, Fortran, Assembly, Java, Python, .NET | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Pyroscope | Yes | $19/mo | Both | C/C++, Go, Rust, Zig, Java, .NET, Python, Ruby, PHP, Node.js, Perl | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 4 | Google Cloud Profiler | Yes | Free | Sampling | Go, Java, Node.js, Python | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 5 | JProfiler | No | Both | Java, Kotlin | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 6 | Valgrind | Free | Instrumentation | C, C++, Rust, assembly | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 7 | Amazon CodeGuru Profiler | No | $0.005/unit/mo | Sampling | Java/JVM languages; Python 3.6 or later | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 8 | JetBrains dotTrace | No | Both | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 9 | VisualVM | Yes | Free | Both | Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, R | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 10 | async-profiler | Yes | Free | Both | Java, C, C++ | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 11 | Scalene | Free | Sampling | Python | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Go pprof | Yes | Free | Sampling | Go | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 13 | Redgate ANTS Performance Profiler | No | $396/user/yr | Both | C#, VB.NET, F#, Managed C++, and other .NET languages | Yes | No | 7.9 |
| 14 | KCachegrind | Yes | Free | Instrumentation | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 15 | GNU gprof | Free | Both | C, C++ | Yes | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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