C++ Logging Libraries
C++ logging libraries provide high performance and low-level control. spdlog, glog, Boost.Log, and others offer features suitable for systems programming and game development including header-only implementation, multi-threading support, and zero overhead.
Key Features
- Multiple Output Levels
- Structured Logging
- High Performance
- Multiple Output Destinations
- Rich Ecosystem
Representative Libraries
- Pino: Ultra-fast JSON logging library
- Winston: Most versatile logging library
- Bunyan: Structured JSON-focused logging library
- Morgan: Express.js HTTP logging middleware
GitHub Star Comparison
| No | Name | GitHub Stars | Description | Trend | License | Type | Official Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | spdlog | - | Ultra-fast logging library for C++. Header-only with no dependencies, provides rich formatting features using excellent fmt library. Supports multi-threading, rotating/daily log files, color console output, and backtrace support. | Performance leader among C++ logging libraries in 2025. Significantly faster than other libraries in benchmarks (0.302s vs others 1+ seconds). Header-only design valued for ease of introduction, adoption rapidly increasing in modern C++ projects. | MIT | Header-only Library | Official |
| 2 | Google glog | - | Robust C++ logging library by Google. Distinguished as only library with crash handling capabilities (SIGSEGV, SIGILL, SIGFPE, etc.). Designed for simple and robust standalone applications. Developed as successor to G2log. | Maintains important position as only choice for applications requiring crash handling in 2025. Demand continues in system-level software and environments requiring high reliability. Retains steady support due to compatibility with Google ecosystem. | BSD-3-Clause | System Library | Official |
| 3 | Boost.Log | - | Comprehensive C++ logging framework provided as part of Boost library collection. Offers advanced customization and enterprise-level features. Possesses powerful configuration options and extensibility to handle complex requirements. | Valued as choice for large and complex C++ projects in 2025. Adoption continues in enterprise environments due to reliability and maturity of Boost ecosystem. Tends to be avoided in small-scale projects due to configuration complexity. | Boost Software License | Framework Library | Official |
| 4 | Easylogging++ | - | High-performance, extensible, lightweight C++ logging library. Provides customizable format, logging support for classes/third-party libraries/STL containers, and thread-safe design. Characterized by balance of ease of use and functionality. | Stable adoption in medium-scale projects in 2025. While not as fast as spdlog, valued as balanced choice due to ease of configuration and rich functionality. Low learning cost serves as reason for adoption in new projects. | MIT | Feature-rich Library | Official |
| 5 | Apache log4cxx | - | C++ port of Java log4j by Apache Foundation. Provides API design and configuration methods familiar to Java developers. Traditional logging framework applying concepts like appenders, layouts, and filters to C++. | Adoption examples still exist in development teams with Java background in 2025. Recommended for small-scale/hobby projects, but other choices tend to be prioritized in modern C++ projects. Issues pointed out regarding maintainability and latest features. | Apache-2.0 | Apache Framework | Official |
| 6 | G3log | - | Asynchronous and crash-safe C++ logging library. Design emphasizing high performance and system stability. Characterized by functionality preventing log loss during crashes and minimizing impact on applications through asynchronous processing. | Maintains steady demand in embedded systems and real-time processing where system reliability is important in 2025. Selection examples continue in mission-critical applications due to asynchronous processing and crash-safe functionality. | Unlicense | Asynchronous Library | Official |