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SPECIFICTION
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apitrace

apitrace.github.io

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
Visit apitrace.github.io
Spec score 8.2 #7 of 25 in Game Profiling Software

What it is

apitrace records OpenGL, Direct3D and DirectDraw API calls in trace files for replay and examination. Recorded calls can be replayed on another machine; OpenGL traces can also be replayed across operating systems. Its tools let users inspect graphics state and call data, view framebuffers and textures, edit trace files and profile performance. Coverage varies across APIs and operations: the feature matrix spans OpenGL 1.0–4.5, OpenGL ES 1.0–3.0, Direct3D 7–11.x and DirectDraw. Command-line profiling can capture frame, GPU, CPU and pixels-drawn data, with shader-profile formatting available through a script. The operating-system matrix lists Linux, OS X and Windows for tracing, replay, command-line and GUI use. Windows and Linux binaries are available for x86_64 and Arm64, with Windows x86 binaries also provided. The open-source project is licensed under MIT. One stated limitation is that programmatic Direct3D capture interfaces are unsupported. The maintainer says patches, issues and requests are handled as time permits, and the project links to a manual, bug-reporting guide, source-hacking guide, wiki and mailing list.

Spec sheet

Purpose
apitrace traces OpenGL, Direct3D, and DirectDraw API calls to files.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io
Support
The homepage links to a manual, bug-reporting guide, source-hacking guide, wiki, and mailing list.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io
License
The GitHub repository identifies the project license as MIT.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Analysis
The tools inspect state, view framebuffers and textures, view call data, edit trace files, and profile trace performance.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io
Annotations
OpenGL traces can use several debug and marker extensions, including GL_KHR_debug and GL_EXT_debug_marker.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
API coverage
The feature matrix covers OpenGL 1.0–4.5, OpenGL ES 1.0–3.0, Direct3D 7–11.x, and DirectDraw with varying trace, replay, inspection, and profiling support.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io
Backtrace capture
Call-stack capture for OpenGL calls is available on Android and Linux.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Downloads
The project provides latest Windows and Linux binaries for x86_64 and Arm64, plus Windows x86 binaries.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io
Known limitation
Programmatic Direct3D capture interfaces are currently unsupported.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintenance
The project says it is maintained, but the maintainer has very little time and addresses patches, issues, and requests as time permits.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io
Operating systems
The OS matrix lists Linux, OS X, and Windows for tracing, replay, CLI, and GUI use.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io
Profiling
Command-line profiling can record frame, GPU, CPU, and pixels-drawn data, with shader-profile formatting available through a script.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Remote replay
qapitrace has rudimentary support for replaying traces on a remote target device.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Replay
Recorded calls can be replayed on any machine and, for OpenGL, on any operating system.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io
Source availability
apitrace is open-source, hosted on GitHub, and can be cloned with its submodules.Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io

Plans and prices

Open-source apitrace Free source clone; binaries for Windows and Linux architectures Read 1 Oct 2026 · apitrace.github.io

Every apitrace plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Records OpenGL, Direct3D and DirectDraw calls
  • Replays OpenGL traces across operating systems
  • Tools inspect state, frames and textures
  • Profiling captures frame, GPU and CPU data
  • Free and licensed under MIT

Limits

  • Programmatic Direct3D capture interfaces are unsupported
  • Maintainer handles requests as time permits

Who it suits

apitrace suits developers who need to capture and inspect graphics API calls or profile traces on Linux, OS X or Windows. Users relying on programmatic Direct3D capture should note that those interfaces are unsupported.

Verdict

apitrace provides trace replay, inspection and profiling across several graphics APIs, though feature coverage varies by API and operation. Its unsupported programmatic Direct3D capture interfaces and limited maintainer time are worth considering.

Where Specifiction places it

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