VisualVM

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Score7.0

Rank#4 of 29

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

VisualVM is a free, standalone tool for troubleshooting Java applications in development and production. It brings monitoring, profiling, and diagnostic tools together for application developers, system administrators, quality engineers, and end users. It tracks CPU use, garbage collection, heap and metaspace memory, loaded classes, and running threads. Sampling and instrumentation profiling can help examine performance and memory use; diagnostic tools capture thread dumps, browse heap dumps, analyze core dumps, and save data for offline review. VisualVM can connect to remote applications using JMX or list them when jstatd runs on the remote host. Plugins add capabilities, including a security plugin with a graphical interface for SSL/TLS settings. The project documents integrations or launchers for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and Visual Studio Code, plus a third-party NetBeans profiler. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS and is distributed as a standalone tool. The download page lists Oracle JDK and OpenJDK 8–26 and GraalVM 19–JDK 26; VisualVM should run using Oracle JDK 8 or newer.

Who it is for

VisualVM suits Java developers, system administrators, quality engineers, and end users who need application monitoring or diagnostics. It is also relevant for people investigating performance or memory use.

What is good

Free standalone tool for Java troubleshooting.
Monitors CPU, memory, classes, and threads.
Captures thread dumps and analyzes core dumps.
Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Offers sampling and instrumentation profiling.

What to know first

Requires Oracle JDK 8 or newer to run.
Some third-party plugins may not work after VisualVM 2.0 changes.
Remote application listing requires jstatd on the remote host.

Verdict

VisualVM combines Java application monitoring, profiling, and diagnostics in a free desktop tool. Check the JDK compatibility notes and plugin caveat if your workflow depends on those components.

VisualVM plans and pricing

All plans

VisualVM Free Standalone Java troubleshooting tool · Windows, Linux, macOS · Java 8–26 visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on profiling software

Free plan: Yesvisualvm.github.io
Profiling modes: bothvisualvm.github.io
Supported languages: Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Rvisualvm.github.io
CPU profiling: Yesvisualvm.github.io
Memory profiling: Yesvisualvm.github.io
Thread profiling: Yesvisualvm.github.io
Deployment model: desktopvisualvm.github.io

Facts

Purpose: VisualVM integrates command line JDK tools with lightweight profiling for Java application troubleshooting in development and production.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Audience: The site says VisualVM is designed for application developers, system administrators, quality engineers, and end users.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Monitoring: It monitors CPU usage, garbage collection, heap and metaspace memory, loaded classes, and running threads.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Profiling: It provides sampling and instrumentation profilers for analyzing application performance and memory use.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Diagnostics: It can capture thread dumps, browse heap dumps, analyze core dumps, and save application data for offline analysis.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Remote processes: VisualVM can list remote Java applications when jstatd runs on the remote host, or connect to applications manually by JMX.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Plugins: Official and third-party plugins extend VisualVM, with installation through its Plugins Center or from downloaded plugin files for offline use.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Integrations: The site documents integrations or launchers for Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, Visual Studio Code, and a third-party NetBeans profiler.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Security: A Security plugin provides a GUI for configuring keystores, truststores, protocols, and ciphers for SSL/TLS connections.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Support: Users can contact developers and the community through Gitter, send private feedback by email, or report bugs through the linked issue tracker.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Distribution: VisualVM is currently distributed as a standalone tool, with a ZIP archive and a macOS application bundle linked from the download page.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Compatibility limit: The download page lists Oracle JDK 8–26, OpenJDK 8–26, and GraalVM 19–JDK 26, and notes that VisualVM should run using Oracle JDK 8 or newer.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
Plugin limit: The site warns that some third-party plugins may not work because of changes introduced in VisualVM 2.0.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026
License and maker: The project is copyright Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates and is released under GPLv2 with the Classpath Exception.visualvm.github.io · 29 Sept 2026