Lighthouse vs DebugBear: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Lighthouse and DebugBear comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Lighthouse
Web performance auditing by Google
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Lighthouse is Google's tool for auditing web page performance and accessibility
- • It scores pages on performance, SEO, accessibility, and best practices
DebugBear
Website performance monitoring and optimization
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 7.9/10)
- • DebugBear is a website performance monitoring tool that tracks Core Web Vitals over time
- • It provides Lighthouse audits, real user monitoring, and performance regression alerts
| At a Glance |  Lighthouse |  DebugBear |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | SEO Tools | SEO Tools |
Rating | 79/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Lighthouse | DebugBear |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 79 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | SEO ToolsTesting & QA | SEO ToolsWeb Analytics |
How Lighthouse and DebugBear Compare
Lighthouse
Web performance auditing by Google
Free tier available · 79/100 score
DebugBear
Website performance monitoring and optimization
Paid · 80/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Lighthouse has a free tier. DebugBear is paid only.
Go with: Lighthouse
Want the highest-rated option?
Lighthouse: 79/100. DebugBear: 80/100.
Go with: DebugBear
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: DebugBear
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Lighthouse is freemium. DebugBear is paid. Lighthouse lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are seo tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
DebugBear scores higher: 80/100 vs 79/100.
Key Takeaways
DebugBear
- Higher score: 80/100 vs 79
- Our pick for this comparison
Lighthouse
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
DebugBear (80/100) is our pick. Lighthouse has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lighthouse or DebugBear better?
DebugBear scores 80/100 in our evaluation. Lighthouse is freemium and DebugBear is paid.
What are Lighthouse and DebugBear used for?
Lighthouse: Web performance auditing by Google. DebugBear: Website performance monitoring and optimization.
What does Lighthouse cost vs DebugBear?
Lighthouse is freemium (free tier + paid plans). DebugBear is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.