React Native Debugger vs Reactotron
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A standalone desktop app for debugging React Native apps, with React Inspector and Redux DevTools built in.
Open source · MIT
A desktop debugger for inspecting React and React Native apps: state, network requests, and logs.
The short answer
Choose React Native Debugger if you need…
- React Native developers who use Redux and want its DevTools in one place
- Developers debugging apps that still use the older Remote Debugger setup
- Teams on React Native 0.62 or newer who want a standalone debugging window
Choose Reactotron if you need…
- React Native developers who want to see app state and network calls while debugging
- Teams working on Redux-based apps who want to inspect and dispatch actions
- Developers who want console-style messages and global error traces in a separate window
- Developers working on small personal projects or large apps alike, per the README
Side-by-side
| React Native Debugger | Reactotron | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App | Dev tool |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 10.4k | 15.6k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Download the app | Download the app |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 3 years ago | 3 months ago |
What each one is
React Native Debugger
React Native Debugger is a desktop app that wraps the official React Native remote debugger and adds extra tools. It bundles React Inspector for looking at the component tree and Redux DevTools for inspecting Redux state and actions. Developers use it to debug React Native apps from one window instead of several.
Reactotron
Reactotron is a debugging app for React and React Native projects. You add a small client library to your app as a dev dependency, and the app shows what is happening inside it, such as application state, network requests, performance benchmarks, and console-style messages. The README says it is used at Infinite Red to build client apps and that it is free and open source under the MIT license.
Best for
React Native Debugger
- React Native developers who use Redux and want its DevTools in one place
- Developers debugging apps that still use the older Remote Debugger setup
- Teams on React Native 0.62 or newer who want a standalone debugging window
Reactotron
- React Native developers who want to see app state and network calls while debugging
- Teams working on Redux-based apps who want to inspect and dispatch actions
- Developers who want console-style messages and global error traces in a separate window
- Developers working on small personal projects or large apps alike, per the README
Strengths
React Native Debugger
- Combines the official remote debugger with React Inspector and Redux DevTools in one app
- Prebuilt binaries are available for macOS, Linux and Windows on the release page
- Released under the MIT license
Reactotron
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Covers state, network, benchmarks, errors, and logs in one tool
- Desktop builds are listed for macOS, Linux, and Windows
Not ideal for
React Native Debugger
- Projects on Hermes, JSI or the New Architecture, because the README says the app currently supports only the old Remote Debugger
- Developers who do not use React Native, since the app is built for that framework
Reactotron
- People who only need a plain browser devtools workflow, since Reactotron requires adding a client library to the app
- Teams who cannot add a dev dependency to their project
- Anyone looking for a production monitoring tool; the README describes it as a development dependency that adds nothing to production builds
Trade-offs
React Native Debugger
- The README says it only supports the old Remote Debugger, not Hermes or the New Architecture
- The last push shown is from October 2023, so current maintenance activity is unclear
Reactotron
- You must install and configure a client library in your app before it shows anything
- The README does not spell out a full setup procedure; it links to external docs for that
- Release page lists app builds for each platform, but the latest npm release notes only reference the client package, so check the Releases page for the desktop app version
Getting started
React Native Debugger
Install on macOS with Homebrew (Homebrew 2.6.0 or newer)
brew install --cask react-native-debuggerInstall on Arch-based Linux from AUR
paru -S react-native-debugger-binReactotron
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/infinitered/reactotronFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between React Native Debugger and Reactotron?
React Native Debugger: A standalone desktop app for debugging React Native apps, with React Inspector and Redux DevTools built in. Reactotron: A desktop debugger for inspecting React and React Native apps: state, network requests, and logs. React Native Debugger suits react native developers who use redux and want its devtools in one place, while Reactotron suits react native developers who want to see app state and network calls while debugging.
Are React Native Debugger and Reactotron free?
React Native Debugger: Free and open source. Reactotron: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, React Native Debugger or Reactotron?
React Native Debugger is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Reactotron is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is React Native Debugger or Reactotron more popular?
Reactotron has more GitHub stars (15.6k) than React Native Debugger (10.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to React Native Debugger and Reactotron?
Other options people compare them with include Redux DevTools.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.