LLDB vs RenderDoc

LLDB is a free debugger built from reusable components that use LLVM libraries, including Clang's expression parser and the LLVM disassembler. It is the default debugger in Xcode on macOS and supports debugging C, C++, and Objective-C on desktop and iOS devices and simulators. Its tools include breakpoints, watchpoints, process launching, and attaching to programs; remote debugging is also documented for Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS. Expression evaluation uses Clang infrastructure for current C-family language features, multiline expressions, and just-in-time evaluation where supported. Developers can use its shared-library C++ API and Python bindings for scripting, symbolication, disassembly, and inspecting object and symbol files. The lldb-dap adapter connects LLDB functionality to compatible editors and IDEs, including Visual Studio Code, Emacs, vim, and neovim. LLDB is available under the Apache 2.0 License with LLVM exceptions. Windows support remains under active development, with ARM and AArch64 described as more experimental. The lldb-dap interface documents no support for step-back, setting a variable, goto-target, or terminate requests.

RenderDoc is a frame-capture graphics debugger for graphics development, released under the MIT license and available free. It supports Vulkan, D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, and OpenGL ES, with HLSL, GLSL, and SPIR-V listed among supported languages. Its listed platforms are Windows, Linux, and Android; Nintendo Switch support is noted for authorized developers using NintendoSDK. The API support table marks OpenGL 1.0–2.0 compatibility as supported, while D3D9/10 and Metal are unavailable. Linux support is limited to 64-bit x86. Windows users can choose 32-bit or 64-bit builds or a portable ZIP, and the 64-bit build can capture 32-bit programs. Stable and nightly binary releases are available; stable builds are recommended for new users because nightlies may be less stable. Documentation is online for the latest stable version and included as a CHM file in builds, with introductory videos also linked. The project lists GitHub issues, email, IRC, and Discord for questions and problems. RenderDoc is intended for debugging programs users created; its public support channels do not allow discussion of capturing programs they did not create.