JavaScript Debugging Tools: Best Choices

We know that JavaScript is used extensively by developers for web development. In fact stack overflow in its 2023 survey for developers showed it to be the most popular among engineers, making JavaScript debugging tools indispensable. 

You can rely on JavaScript debugging tools to identify errors, debug, and manage them. They play a pivotal role in reducing your error resolution time, making sure your customers stay happy. In this blog we will cover some sought after JavaScript debugging tools, along with their features and pricing. 

What are Javascript debugging tools

Developers need to have tools for debugging JavaScript. They assist in locating and repairing errors and hiccups in your JavaScript code. Debugging tools are necessary since JavaScript is notorious for being dynamic and loosely typed, which makes it more prone to errors (both syntactical and logical).

You will run into situations when your code doesn't operate as expected when working with JavaScript. Fortunately, you have access to a variety of JavaScript debugging tools. With the use of these tools, developers may more quickly and easily find, diagnose, and fix problems, which speeds up the debugging process. Debugging tools are available in a range of options, depending on your particular requirements and the specifications of the project. One thing that all of these tools have in common is that they'll save you time when debugging.

This blog post explores the top ten javascript debugging tools that developers may use to quickly identify and fix bugs. These tools range from integrated solutions like Zipy and SessionStack that offer real-time error tracking and user behaviour insights, making debugging simpler and quicker, to browser DevTools for front-end development.

Benefits of using javascript debugging tools 

Using JavaScript debugging tools in your development process makes a lot of sense. These tools act as assistants to help developers write reliable, error-free code. advantages of utilising these vital resources:

1. Swift issue detection: Debugging tools for JavaScript quickly identify problems in your code. so you won't have to waste time looking for them and can concentrate on fixing them.
2. Reduced error risk: These technologies lessen some possible issues by identifying mistakes early in the development process. This guarantees the stability and intended functionality of your code.
3. Enhanced code quality: Debugging tools facilitate the creation of easily maintainable, well-structured code, which makes the development process quite efficient.
4. Time and effort savings: Using debugging tools can save a tonne of time. Instead of stumbling over the discovery and correction of errors, you can concentrate on producing code. Your development timeline gets accelerated by this efficiency.

Javascript debugging tools

1.Zipy

Zipy is a unified platform that aims to transform how developers approach debugging and monitoring. It simplifies the complicated procedure of identifying and resolving issues in your software by its debugging and monitoring tools. This all-in-one solution is the key to more efficient and productive development workflows.

Benefits and features:

1. Unified platform for debugging: Try all in one debugging and monitoring tool so that you don't have to jump between different ones which ultimately saves you time and effort.
2. User session recording: See how your users are behaving on your app with the session replay tool. Track how they are navigating, where they are clicking, and what blockers they are facing.
3. Real user monitoring: Monitor users in real-time to identify if there is any issue that your users are facing. Zipy also gives you insights into user behavior and so that you can spot and solve issues before they put a bigger impact on your application.
4. AI assistance: You can resolve JavaScript issues faster with AI assistance and ensure faster fixes, and happier customers. 
5. Monitor API performance: Track API performance including latency and errors and get suggestions on how to fix these issues.  
6. Advanced dev tools: Get access to console logs, network logs, and stack traces, and break down what’s going on at the code level. 

How developers use Zipy:

Developers across the spectrum are harnessing the power of Zipy to:

• Track live users: You can see how customers are using your application in live sessions. In case of customer issues, this helps developers break down the steps a user has taken.
• Uncover JS errors: Find and fix JavaScript errors in your application code, with log details, source code, and user environment. 
• Fixing API errors: Find and solve issues with 4xx and 5xx API errors within your application. Detailed network logs and error dashboards ensure that you have the information you need to resolve these problems.
• Click events: Track where users are clicking without code. This helps segment users and estimate the impact of errors. 

Furthermore, if you are already using any of the JavaScript debugging tools on your site see how you can use Zipy with it to accelerate your resolution pace. Checkout Zipy integrations.

2. JS Bin

JS Bin is one of the useful JavaScript debugging tools designed for developers working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It gives them the opportunity to test and debug their code snippets in a real-world setting. The fact that this tool is open-source is fantastic.

This tool, which you can easily access on the JS Bin website, is quite innovative as it allows you to debug and collaborate on your code in real time. JS Bin facilitates faster and more efficient work for developers with its simple interface and live code display.

Benefits and features:

• Real-Time Collaboration: One of the greatest JavaScript collaborative debugging tools is JS Bin, which enables developers to work with others to test and debug scripts in real time. As you make changes in the editor, you and your collaborators can instantly see changes and output on the output panel.
• JavaScript Linting: JavaScript linting is provided by JS Bin, which aids in the maintenance of clear, error-free code.
• Remote Rendering: View the output of your JS Bin on any platform or device with real-time updates for greater accessibility and flexibility.
• Custom Templates: Developers may tailor their workplace to their preferences thanks to JS Bin's support for custom templates.
• Drag and Drop Editing: The ability to drag and drop code, which makes code manipulation simple, will streamline your process.
• CodeCast: You may let people see what you type in real time in JS with CodeCast.

How developers use JS Bin:

JS Bin is a tool used by developers to make testing and debugging JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code easier. You don't need to set up a whole development environment because you can write, run, and debug your code right in your browser. Here are some ways that JS Bin can help you:

1. Isolated testing: To ensure that testing a JavaScript code segment won't affect other parts of your application, test each segment independently in JS Bin before moving on to the next.
2. Real-time feedback: With real-time code visualisation, you can see the effects of your modifications to your JavaScript, HTML, or CSS right away.
3. Collaboration: Work together in real time, letting colleagues or other team members see and participate in your coding process.

3. ESLint

ESLint is an open-source JavaScript linting utility designed to statically analyze your code and help you catch errors, bugs, stylistic issues, and suspicious constructs. Unlike other debugging tools, ESLint primarily focuses on code quality and coding style, ensuring that your codebase remains consistent and free from potential bugs. With ESLint, you can identify issues before executing your code, saving you time and effort in the debugging process.

Benefits and features:

• Syntax error detection: ESLint performs a comprehensive analysis of your code to find writing faults. When your code is executing, these errors could result in problems.
• Coding style violations: By doing this, you can be sure that your code adheres to best standards for style and maintains an organised appearance throughout the project.
• Bug detection: Additionally, ESLint can identify possible problems in complex code and offer fixes to help avoid problems later on.
• Auto-fixing: The majority of the problems that ESLint finds can be fixed automatically, which will save you time and lower the likelihood of new errors.
• Customizability: Developers can customise ESLint to meet the needs of their projects by writing guidelines and plugins.
• Integration: It is used by a broad spectrum of developers due to its smooth integration with well-known IDEs and code editors.
• Pluggable: Because of ESLint's high degree of modularity, you can enable, disable, or modify specific rules to suit the needs of your project.

How developers use it: 

ESLint is used by developers when it has been integrated into their development environment. Since ESLint is offered as a Node package, setting it up in your project is simple. Real-time code quality feedback is provided by the ESLint plugins, which are included in several well-known code editors including VS Code and Sublime Text 3. ESLint fixes several problems and looks for flaws in your code. It also offers enhancement suggestions. Furthermore, one of the javascript debugging tools that allows developers to tailor rules and plugins to the specific requirements of the project is ESLint.

4. Sentry

Sentry stands as a robust open-source tool for keeping an eye on errors in real-time and digging into issues across a range of programming languages. It's a robust platform that gathers errors and adds essential context to the stack traces, enabling developers to effectively prioritize and solve critical business issues.

Benefits and features:

• Tracking bugs and errors: Sentry's primary goal is to track and monitor failures and faults in real-time, providing developers with fast information about the problems that are occurring with their applications.
• Performance monitoring: Sentry provides robust capabilities to monitor progress, extending beyond mistake tracking. As a result, engineers may identify problems more rapidly, increasing productivity and satisfying users.
• Log data insights: Developers may get log data insights with Sentry, which makes it easier for them to identify and comprehend problems.
• Breadcrumbs: Like breadcrumbs, Sentry leaves a trail of events that show developers where an error occurred in their application.
• Integration friendly: Sentry is a flexible and easy complement to your workflow since it integrates easily with the development tools you already use.

How developer use sentry:

For developers working on complicated projects that require real-time error monitoring and debugging, Sentry is a suitable option. Teams working with other programming languages, such as JavaScript, Python, Java, PHP, Ruby, and others, will also find it very helpful. Sentry is used by developers to locate, rank, and fix mistakes instantly. Its user-friendly interfaces and connectors make it an invaluable tool for big teams as well as lone engineers, guaranteeing the seamless and effective operation of applications.

However if you want to explore Sentry alternatives there are some good tools as well, out there.

5. Raygun

Raygun is a cloud-based platform that makes sure your web and mobile applications are free of errors, as well as your users are satisfied. It specializes in JavaScript error monitoring and offers a wide range of features to help you easily detect and fix issues.

Benefits and features

• Real-time code-level insights: Raygun provides code-level insights in real time, enabling developers to identify problems as they happen. This functionality is essential to ensure that your application functions without a hitch.
• Quick identification and resolution: Beyond only spotting mistakes, Raygun helps you quickly correct them as well. To ensure a seamless experience, prioritise issues and address them before they affect end users.
• Full visibility into the tech stack: You may see a detailed picture of your whole tech stack with Raygun. You won't have to go through countless logs as a result. The main reason for failures and crashes can be easily understood.
• Ease of use: Raygun is easy to use and quick to set up. To make the most of it, you don't have to be an expert in debugging.
• Real-time deployment monitoring: With real-time monitoring, you can keep a careful watch on your deployments. This implies that any issues that arise during deployments can be resolved immediately.
• Supports integrations: With real-time monitoring, you can keep a careful watch on your deployments. This implies that any issues that arise during deployments can be resolved immediately.
• Smart filtering options: Raygun's intelligent filters make debugging more efficient by allowing you to focus on the crucial items.

How developers use It:

Developers can effortlessly integrate Raygun into their workflow with just a few lines of code. Once integrated, Raygun starts providing real-time insights into your application's performance. You'll receive immediate alerts when errors are detected, allowing you to take action promptly. This is one of the javascript debugging tools that makes it easy to add contextual information, ensuring that you have all the details you need to diagnose and resolve issues effectively.

6. Rollbar

Rollbar is a real-time error tracking and monitoring tool that empowers development teams to deliver top-notch software. Its primary mission is to identify, report, and aggregate errors, exceptions, and issues in your applications as they happen, allowing developers to address them promptly. Rollbar assists developers in maintaining the best quality of software throughout the development process by offering detailed information as well as alerts.

Benefits and features:

Rollbar offers a multitude of benefits and features to streamline how you debug javascript:

• Real-time error reporting: JavaScript errors are tracked in real-time, ensuring you're always aware of issues as they occur, which is critical for effective use of a JavaScript debugger.
• Fault aggregation: Rollbar gathers similar errors, offering users a comprehensive picture of the current condition of their application.
• Exception reporting: It identifies exceptions, making it easier to pinpoint the root cause of issues.
• Continuous deployment monitoring: Rollbar carefully watches over your apps, so you can catch errors before they reach your users.
• Telemetry for faster debugging: The tool provides rich data that helps fix client-side JavaScript errors quickly, going above and beyond what many basic debugging tools offer.
• Discover: You receive real-time alerts and a live feed of all errors, keeping you informed about your application's health.
• rioritize: Detailed information helps you understand error impact and decide what to tackle first.
• Automate error response: AI-powered workflows help deal with both new and recurring errors before they impact your users.

How developers use It:

• Integration: Developers seamlessly integrate Rollbar into their applications by adding the provided JavaScript snippet or using libraries available for various programming languages.
• Monitoring: Rollbar keeps a real-time watch over your apps to catch errors, exceptions, and problems, acting as a vigilant JavaScript debugger in your production environment.
• Alerts and prioritization: Developers get notifications if any issue occurs, which helps them prioritize issues based on their impact on users.
• Resolution: Rollbar gives you all the necessary information about errors, including stack traces and monitoring data, to identify and fix the root causes.
• Automation: AI-assisted workflows assist in automating responses to errors, preventing known and unresolved issues from being shipped with applications.

7. Airbrake

Airbrake is another JavaScript debugging tool for developers as it lets them track app performance and errors.It gives you instant notifications on errors, a full description of mistakes made along with relevant tips on the performance of your app. Airbrake can be extremely beneficial irrespective of whether one develops in a specific software environment such as JavaScript, PHP, Python, Java, or any other language.

This puts Airbrake apart: it integrates seamlessly into your development process and helps you quickly recognize and fix problems.

Benefits and features:

1. Deployment tracking:  It also helps you track what goes on with your deployment during CI/CD making it easy for you to identify patterns in the code quality through Airbrake.
2. Real-time error alerts: Airbrake will give you immediate updates on severe mistakes, enabling you to solve problems before affecting your customers.
3. Performance monitoring: Uncover the truth in the health of your whole app stack and learn to act on performance data for optimizing. Keep your software running smoothly.
4. Error monitoring: Airbrake provides round-the-clock monitoring of your entire application stack giving out real-time alerts either in your email box or connected chat messengers such as slack thereby enabling you to understand the source of errors immediately.
5. Integration with project management tools: Integrate Airbrake to Github, Trello, Slack, Bitbucket, Zapier and other systems used in streamlining your workflow. It is important in ensuring that all teams are in tune while at the same time managing all errors and performance problems.
6. Agentless and serverless: Unlike some other monitoring tools, Airbrake is agentless and serverless facilitating a light install and no effect to the app's performance. Resource overheads will be off your mind and you can concentrate on development.

How developers use It:

Developers use Airbrake to monitor, track, and resolve errors and performance issues in their applications. Here's how it fits into their workflow:

1. Error detection: With Airbrake, developers can have a look into the detailed error reports to figure out why error occurred in the first place which enables them to address problems rapidly and efficiently.
2. Diagnosis and resolution: Developers can delve into deep error reports to identify the root causes of errors, enabling them to fix issues quickly and efficiently.
3. Performance optimization: In addition, airbrake provides the developers with a lot detailing information about the proper operation of their program. This massive data enables them to make better decisions about the optimization of software, which makes their software run more efficiently.
4. Workflow integration: Airbrake makes it possible for all the important tools to work together with much ease. Through this, a developer can effectively solve issues that might interfere with his work or those affecting other members. The tools include GitHub, Trello and Slack.

8. Chrome & Firefox devtools

Chrome DevTools and Firefox Developer Tools are popular browser devtools that act as powerful JavaScript debuggers, giving developers the ability to inspect, manipulate, and debug JavaScript code directly within their web browsers. These tools are indispensable for web developers, enabling them to streamline the code improvement process and enhance user experience.

Benefits and features:

• Step-by-step debugging: These debugging tools make it incredibly easy to debug Javascript. You can run your code "line-by-line," inspect variable values, and set "breakpoints" to pinpoint the exact location of errors.
• Evaluate expressions: Evaluate expressions within the context of the running session to check variables and program logic, further simplifying how to debug JavaScript effectively.
• Multi-browser debugging: Chrome DevTools and Firefox Developer Tools enable cross-browser debugging, ensuring your web applications function consistently across different browsers.
• Function traversal: Step into and out of functions to locate errors and trace program execution flow – an essential aspect of any powerful JavaScript debugger.
• Real-time editing: Edit HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in real-time and see the changes reflected instantly in the browser, speeding up front-end development and debugging.
• Network analysis: Analyze network requests to gain insights into your website's loading speed and identify potential performance bottlenecks.

How developers use it:Using Browser DevTools is straightforward, often requiring just a few keystrokes or menu selections:

• Chrome DevTools: Press F12 or use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+I.
• Firefox Developer Tools: Use similar shortcut key combinations or right-click on any web page element and select "Inspect."

With these tools, developers can inspect, edit, and analyze web pages, test code across different browsers, and even simulate various mobile devices to ensure responsive design. This makes browser devtools some of the most versatile and essential debugging tools for any web developer working with JavaScript.

9. GlitchTip

GlitchTip combines error tracking and uptime monitoring in one open-source package to keep you and your team fully up-to-date on the status of your projects, making it a valuable addition to the suite of JavaScript debugging tools.

Benefits and features of JavaScript debugging tools like GlitchTip:

• Open-Source Error Monitoring: GlitchTip stands out as a powerful open-source tool among JavaScript debugging tools. It specializes in detecting, reporting, and handling web application errors and exceptions, giving developers a robust platform to debug Javascript code in their applications.
• Customization and Control: Its open-source nature, a common characteristic among many JavaScript debugging tools, allows developers to tailor GlitchTip to their specific needs. You can host it internally or adjust its features as required.
• Error Aggregation and Reporting: GlitchTip excels at collecting and consolidating errors from different applications, providing valuable insights into patterns, frequency, and the impact on users – all essential data when you need to debug JavaScript errors effectively.
• Integration and Collaboration: Integrate GlitchTip with a variety of tools to foster teamwork and simplify the error resolution process.

How Developers Utilize GlitchTip:

• Error Reporting and Management: Developers rely on GlitchTip to gather and manage error reports from various applications, all accessible via a centralized dashboard.
• Customization and Control: Thanks to its open-source format, developers can modify GlitchTip, ensuring it aligns with their infrastructure and requirements.
• Collaborative Debugging: It offers a shared platform for error tracking, encouraging team collaboration for quick and efficient issue resolution – a key benefit when you need to debug Javascript as a team.
• Monitoring Application Health: By continuously tracking errors, developers use GlitchTip to assess their applications' health, spot recurring problems, and prioritize fixes for improved stability.

10. TrackJS 

TrackJS provides real-time error monitoring for JavaScript applications, capturing errors, and providing detailed diagnostics to track, prioritize, and resolve issues. This makes it one of the leading JavaScript debugging tools available to developers.

Benefits and features of JavaScript debugging tools like TrackJS:

• Real-time Error Monitoring: TrackJS stands out among JavaScript debugging tools for its ability to monitor JavaScript errors in real-time, making it an invaluable JavaScript debugger for developers. This real-time capability is vital for immediate error detection. It captures comprehensive error details, including stack traces, browser specifics, and the sequence of user actions leading up to the error, which are crucial elements for effective use of any JavaScript debugging tool.
• Insightful Diagnostics: TrackJS doesn't stop at capturing errors; as a robust JavaScript debugging tool, it delves into diagnostics. It helps you comprehend the frequency of errors, identify which users are most affected, and observe trends over time — insights highly valuable to developers who rely on JavaScript debugging tools to maintain code quality.
• Integration and Alerting: Integration is a key feature of TrackJS and other similar JavaScript debugging tools. It seamlessly meshes with various development tools and workflows, offering the flexibility to set up alerts via Slack, email, or other notification systems. This integration simplifies the process of staying informed about errors in real-time, which leads to a more responsive development process.
• Performance Monitoring: TrackJS isn't limited to error tracking; it also encompasses performance monitoring, a feature beneficial for analyzing and improving the performance of your web applications. By monitoring resource usage and identifying bottlenecks, TrackJS aids in fine-tuning your application for optimal performance.

Ways Developers Use TrackJS and other JavaScript Debugging Tools:

• Error Tracking and Prioritization: Developers choose TrackJS for its ability to debug javascript errors in real time. This tool enables them to spot critical issues as they occur, allowing for swift prioritization and resolution, which is crucial for maintaining application health and user satisfaction.
• Debugging: TrackJS excels in providing detailed error reports, a feature that makes it a powerful ally in the debugging process. Developers can pinpoint the exact location of issues in their JavaScript code and understand the context surrounding these errors, making the debugging process much more efficient when using JavaScript debugging tools.
• Improving User Experience: By quickly identifying and addressing errors, developers can significantly improve the user experience. A stable and reliable application is key to user satisfaction, and TrackJS plays a vital role in achieving this.
• Performance Optimization: TrackJS is also valuable for performance analysis. It assists in identifying and addressing performance issues, such as resource-intensive operations, helping ensure your application runs smoothly and efficiently, ultimately leading to a better end-user experience.

Wrapping up

You just looked at some of the best JavaScript debugging tools out there. If you are a developer working with JavaScript, you can go through their features and pricing and pick one that serves you the best. By going with a tool that offers a trial or free version, you would be able to test it out before making any commitment.Give these tools a shot and start using a javascript debugging tool to deliver bug resolutions faster. You may also check our blog which talks about how Zipy use Cube.js

Read our comprehensive guide on Javascript Debugging for more insights.

Javascript debugging tools - FAQ

What are Javascript debugging tools?
JavaScript debugging tools are essential aids for developers in identifying and fixing errors in their code. These tools break down how the code is run and include features like breakpoints, console logs, network logs, stack traces and sometimes even AI assistance for debugging.

What are Javascript debugging tools chrome?

JavaScript debugging tools in Chrome are crucial for finding and fixing errors in your code. The Chrome DevTools include features like breakpoints, step-by-step execution, and real-time code inspection, making them effective Javascript debugging tools. The Console allows developers to log messages and interact with the code dynamically. To pinpoint errors, developers can go through the source code and set breakpoints. Additionally, for effective debugging, they can inspect and modify the Document Object Model (DOM) using these tools.

What are the best debugging tools for Javascript?

JavaScript debugging tools help developers to identify, track, and fix errors. Chrome DevTools, a prominent example of JavaScript debugging tools, is loved by developers for its open-source nature and great features for debugging.  Zipy is also among the best JavaScript debugging tools out there. Zipy tracks errors in real time and helps developers debug them faster with console logs, network logs, stack traces, and AI assistance.

What are some common issues that JavaScript debugging tools can help with?

JavaScript debugging tools are essential for identifying and fixing various coding issues. They efficiently handle syntax errors, such as incorrect grammar or typos, and runtime errors, which occur during code execution and can include problems like accessing undefined variables. These tools, notable for their role in debugging, are also invaluable for addressing logical errors where the code behaves differently than intended, and unexpected behavior, where the code operates without errors but not as expected. By tackling these challenges, javascript debugging tools streamline the development process, ensuring smoother and more reliable application performance.

Are there any best practices for effective JavaScript debugging?

For efficient JavaScript debugging, it's recommended to use descriptive names for variables and functions, which aids in understanding the code's purpose and enhances the use of JavaScript debugging tools. Breaking down complex problems into smaller, testable parts simplifies the debugging process. Thorough documentation of your code and error messages is crucial for clarity, especially when revisiting or sharing the code. Employing version control, such as Git, helps in tracking changes and identifying when issues were introduced. Additionally, collaborating with team members on debugging with these tools can bring diverse perspectives and solutions, making the process more effective.