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ltrace VS API Monitor

Compare ltrace VS API Monitor and see what are their differences

ltrace logo ltrace

ltrace intercepts and records dynamic library calls which are called by an executed process and the...

API Monitor logo API Monitor

API Monitor is a software that monitors and displays API calls made by applications and services. Its a powerful tool for seeing how Windows and other applications work or tracking down problems that you have in your own applications
  • ltrace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-01
  • API Monitor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20

ltrace features and specs

  • Function Call Tracing
    ltrace can intercept and record calls to dynamically linked library functions that are made by a program. This is useful for debugging and understanding program behavior.
  • Dynamic Library Tracking
    It focuses on tracing the use of library functions, which helps developers identify issues in the external libraries used by their applications.
  • Compatibility
    ltrace works on most Unix-like operating systems and supports a variety of application types, making it versatile for different environments.

Possible disadvantages of ltrace

  • Limited to Dynamic Libraries
    ltrace only traces dynamic library calls; it does not trace system calls or static library functions, limiting its scope in certain debugging scenarios.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running an application under ltrace can introduce performance overhead, which might affect the timing and behavior of the application being analyzed.
  • Complexity in Analysis
    The output of ltrace can be extensive and detailed, making it challenging to analyze and interpret without a good understanding of the program's libraries.

API Monitor features and specs

  • Comprehensive Monitoring
    API Monitor provides a comprehensive toolset for monitoring API calls made by applications, allowing developers to capture details such as function calls, parameters, and return values.
  • Real-Time Surveillance
    It allows users to intercept and display API activity in real-time, which can be beneficial for debugging and understanding how applications interact with the operating system or other software components.
  • Customizable Filters
    Users can set up filters to monitor specific APIs or applications, enhancing the focus and efficiency of the monitoring process.
  • Ease of Use
    The interface and setup of API Monitor are user-friendly, making it accessible to a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced developers.
  • Detailed API Information
    Offers detailed information about API functions, including their parameters and modules, which helps in thorough analysis and development.

Possible disadvantages of API Monitor

  • Windows Exclusivity
    API Monitor is designed for Windows operating systems, limiting its use for applications or developers working on other platforms like macOS or Linux.
  • Resource Intensive
    Monitoring extensive API activity in real-time can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting the performance of the system being monitored.
  • No Source Code
    Being a proprietary tool, it does not provide access to its source code, which may be a downside for developers looking for open-source alternatives.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, users may still face a learning curve when understanding how to effectively use all the features and interpret the data provided.
  • Limited Documentation
    Some users report that the documentation is not as comprehensive as they would like, which can hinder new users from fully utilizing the tool's capabilities.

ltrace videos

How to Spy on Running Programs (strace, ltrace)

More videos:

  • Review - Sudo ltrace | Ryan's CTF [15] Strings wont help you

API Monitor videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ltrace and API Monitor)
Monitoring Tools
46 46%
54% 54
IDE
100 100%
0% 0
APIs
0 0%
100% 100
Software Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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API Monitor Reviews

The 5 Best Reverse Engineering Software for 2022
API Monitor includes individual versions for monitoring both 32-bit and 64-bit applications, with definitions for over 15,000 APIs, 1,800 COM interfaces, and almost 200 DLL files. The latest version supports breakpoints, structural decoding, arrays, unions, and enumerated data types. API Monitor runs on both Windows Desktop and Server and includes a portable version that...
Source: online.yu.edu

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ltrace and API Monitor, you can also consider the following products

perf - Perf is a simple app monitoring solution paired with meaningful alerts.

Process Monitor - Monitor file system, Registry, process, thread and DLL activity in real-time.

strace - Trace system calls and signals. A diagnostic, debugging and instructional userspace utility.

Valgrind - Valgrind is an instrumentation framework for building dynamic analysis tools.

DTrace - DTrace is a performance analysis and troubleshooting tool for Solaris, Mac OS X and FreeBSD.

ftrace - A function tracer for the Linux kernel.