Quick answer: If your project is on Unity 6.2 or later, Unity's built-in Diagnostics is the low-effort option: crash and exception reporting, debugging symbols and Android ANRs in the Unity Dashboard. Crashlytics is free and works on older Unity versions, but only in production on iOS and Android. Neither collects player-written bug reports in the same place as crashes; tools like Bugnet do, on any Unity version from 2020.3 and on desktop and web as well.
Unity developers used to choose between Unity Cloud Diagnostics and Firebase Crashlytics. Cloud Diagnostics is now deprecated and replaced by Diagnostics in Unity 6.2, which changes the comparison. Here is where each stands in October 2026 and how to pick.
At a glance
| Unity Diagnostics | Firebase Crashlytics | |
|---|---|---|
| Unity versions | 6.2 and later (replaces deprecated Cloud Diagnostics) | Projects using the Firebase Unity SDK |
| Platforms in production | Unity build targets, through the Unity Dashboard | iOS and Android (desktop is development-only) |
| Crash and exception reports | Yes | Yes |
| Player bug reports | Separate User Reporting package | No |
| Lives in | Unity Dashboard | Firebase console |
| Cost | Part of Unity's services; check your plan | Free |
Unity Diagnostics
In Unity 6.2 and later, the built-in Diagnostics service replaces Cloud Diagnostics for crash and exception reporting and debugging symbols, and adds Application Not Responding reports for Android 11 and later plus more device and stability data. New 6.2 projects get it by default; projects upgraded to 6.2 enable data collection in the editor.
The catch is the version requirement. A shipped game on 2021.3, 2022.3 or 6.0 LTS cannot use it without an engine upgrade, and legacy Cloud Diagnostics is on a sunset path with no published end date. Player-written reports come from the separate User Reporting package, which Unity says is not deprecated. More in Unity Cloud Diagnostics is deprecated.
Firebase Crashlytics
Crashlytics is free, mature and excellent on iOS and Android, capturing managed exceptions and native crashes, and it plugs into the rest of Firebase if you use it for analytics or remote config. It works regardless of your Unity version, which makes it the easy pick for older mobile projects.
Its limit is platform reach: the Firebase Unity SDK supports desktop platforms for development only, so there is no production crash reporting for Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck or WebGL builds. See Does Crashlytics work for PC and Steam games?
How to choose
- Unity 6.2+, mobile or cross-platform, want the built-in path: Unity Diagnostics.
- Older Unity, mobile-only, already on Firebase: Crashlytics.
- Older Unity and shipping on PC or WebGL: neither covers you well; use a third-party SDK that supports your version and platforms.
What both leave out
Both are crash reporters first. Neither puts the bugs players describe (softlocks, broken quests, visual glitches) in the same list as crashes, and neither knows about Steam reviews or gives you a public known-issues page. Bugnet covers that ground for Unity 2020.3 and later on every platform the engine exports to: automatic capture of exceptions and errors with the last 100 log lines, a screenshot, hardware details and a performance snapshot; an in-game report widget; one tracker for both; and Steam, Google Play and App Store reviews alongside. It is free for one project and 100 reports. Try it, or see the best crash reporting tools for Unity.
Frequently asked questions
Is Unity Diagnostics replacing Crashlytics?
No. Unity Diagnostics replaces Unity's own deprecated Cloud Diagnostics in Unity 6.2 and later. Firebase Crashlytics is a separate Google product and continues to work for iOS and Android builds.
Which Unity versions support Unity Diagnostics?
Unity Diagnostics is available in Unity 6.2 and later. Older projects need to upgrade the engine to use it or use a third-party crash reporter.
Does Crashlytics work on Unity desktop builds?
Not in production. The Firebase Unity SDK supports desktop platforms for development purposes only.
Does Unity Diagnostics report ANRs?
Yes. Diagnostics in Unity 6.2 and later includes Application Not Responding reports for Android 11 and later.
How do players report bugs in a Unity game?
Unity User Reporting is Unity's package for player reports, and it is not deprecated. Bugnet offers an in-game report widget that puts player reports in the same tracker as crashes, for Unity 2020.3 and later.
The best crash reporter is the one that sees the platforms your players actually use.