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Xdebug

xdebug.org

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Spec score 7.3 #22 of 30 in Debugging Software

What it is

Xdebug is a PHP extension that adds debugging and analysis features to PHP development. Its step debugger lets developers move through code interactively to examine control flow and data structures. It improves var_dump() output and adds stack traces for notices, warnings, errors, and exceptions. Function tracing can record calls, arguments, and invocation locations, with optional variable assignments and return values. The profiler reports execution and memory use in Cachegrind-compatible files, while code coverage can show what runs during PHPUnit tests. Xdebug communicates with IDEs through DBGp, a protocol supported by nearly every PHP IDE, including Visual Studio Code and PhpStorm. Installation instructions cover Linux, macOS, Windows, and Unix-like systems, with compatibility information organized by PHP version. Xdebug itself is free. Paid Pro costs £200 per year for one developer; Business costs £1,000 per year for 2–20 developers. Both paid tiers include email technical support. Xdebug Cloud is described as a relay for situations where a network or firewall blocks direct debugger connections.

Spec sheet

Product
Xdebug is a PHP extension that provides features to improve the PHP development experience.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Support
Community support uses Stack Overflow with low issue priority, while paid Pro and Business tiers offer email technical support and medium or high issue priority.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Browser integrations
The step debugging documentation lists Xdebug Helper extensions for Firefox, Chrome/Chromium, and Edge, plus XDebugToggle for Safari.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Code coverage
Xdebug provides code coverage analysis to show which parts of a codebase execute when running PHPUnit tests.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Compatibility
Xdebug documents compatibility by PHP version and notes that current Xdebug releases support currently supported PHP versions.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Error reporting
Xdebug improves var_dump() and adds stack traces for notices, warnings, errors, and exceptions.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
IDE integrations
The DBGp protocol is supported by nearly every PHP IDE, including Visual Studio Code and PhpStorm, and by text-based editors.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Networking
Xdebug initiates debugger connections to the IDE, and Xdebug Cloud is described as a relay for cases where direct connections are blocked by networking or a firewall.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Profiling
The built-in profiler reports execution and memory-use information in Cachegrind-compatible files that can be viewed with tools such as KCacheGrind or QCacheGrind.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Release limits
The download page lists precompiled Windows binaries for specified PHP versions and source downloads for Linux and macOS.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Security and privacy
The opened official pages describe debugging logs and connection configuration but make no security certification or compliance claim.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Step debugging
Its step debugger lets developers walk through code interactively to examine control flow and data structures.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Supported systems
Installation instructions cover Linux, macOS, Windows, and Unix-like systems; source builds are described for Unix-like operating systems.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Tracing
Function tracing can record calls, arguments, and invocation locations, and optionally variable assignments and return values.Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org

Plans and prices

Pro £200 a year £ 200/year * 1 developer · e-mail tech support · medium issue priority · opt-in monthly e-mail newsletter · invoice Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org
Business £1,000 a year £ 1000/year * 2–20 developers · e-mail tech support · high issue priority · one-hour presentation or workshop · opt-in monthly e-mail newsletter · invoice · thank-you link on site Read 2 Oct 2026 · xdebug.org

Every Xdebug plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Step debugging supports interactive code inspection
  • Profiler output is Cachegrind-compatible
  • Code coverage can track PHPUnit test execution
  • DBGp works with nearly every PHP IDE

Limits

  • Pro costs £200 per year
  • Business costs £1,000 per year
  • Precompiled Windows binaries cover specified PHP versions
  • Community support has low issue priority

Who it suits

Xdebug suits PHP developers who need interactive debugging, tracing, profiling, or code coverage. Pro and Business may suit developers or teams who want email technical support and a defined issue priority.

Verdict

Xdebug offers a broad set of PHP debugging and analysis tools, with IDE integration through DBGp. The extension is free, while paid support tiers cost £200 per year for Pro or £1,000 per year for Business.

Where Specifiction places it

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