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rr

Free#16 of 27 in DebuggersDebugging Software

rr: A focused Linux debugger for reproducing, replaying, and reversing difficult bugs. Ranked #16 of 27 in Debuggers by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: Open source; best for deterministic Linux bug reproduction.

7.4/10Editor score

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rr7.4 Visit rr

At a glance

Editor score
7.4 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Deterministic Linux bug reproduction
Paid from
Free
Supported languages
C, C++, Go
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Deterministic replay with reverse execution through recorded traces
- Hardware watchpoints and multi-process debugging support
- GDB scripting, IDE integration, and compact portable trace files
Where it doesn't
- Runs on Linux rather than across multiple operating systems
- Requires supported hardware and kernel capabilities
- Its focus is narrower than a general cross-platform debugger

Our verdict on rr

rr is an open-source record-and-replay debugging tool for Linux applications. It records an execution, including relevant kernel inputs, and then replays that execution deterministically under GDB. This makes it suited to developers working with C, C++, and Go who need to reproduce difficult failures, inspect application state, or move backward through an execution instead of relying only on forward stepping. It is distributed as a command-line tool and supports multi-process workloads, containers, and IDE-based debugging.

The defining capability is time-travel debugging. After recording an application run, developers can restart the recording while preserving debugging state, use GDB commands for reverse execution, and apply hardware data watchpoints during reverse debugging. Chaos mode addresses intermittent bug reproduction, while portable, compact trace files make recorded executions easier to retain or move. GDB scripting and IDE integration also help fit rr into existing debugging workflows rather than replacing them with a separate interface.

rr is a strong choice when the main requirement is deterministic reproduction on Linux, particularly for C, C++, or Go programs with intermittent, multi-process, or difficult-to-locate failures. Its narrow platform scope is a meaningful boundary: the published positioning targets Linux applications, and supported Linux hardware and kernel capabilities are required in applicable environments. Teams seeking a focused record-and-replay workflow should consider rr; teams needing a broader cross-platform debugging tool should look elsewhere.

Your product? Our editors can test rr in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

rr pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on rr-project.org

rr fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Supported languages	C, C++, Go
Target platforms	Linux
Remote debugging	Not verified
Conditional breakpoints	Not verified
Exception breakpoints	Not verified
Time-travel debugging	Yes
Core dump debugging	Not verified
Deployment	Self-hosted
Platforms	Linux
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations	2 integrations: GDB, IDEs
Pricing	Open source
Website	rr-project.org
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

rr integrations

rr lists 2 integrations on its own site.

GDB
IDEs

Alternatives to rr

See all rr alternatives →

Also Ranked In

rr is ranked in 2 of our directories.

#26Debugging Software30 tools ranked

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Featured on iTechGuides

rr is listed in our Debuggers directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update