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10 Best Database GUI Tools of 2026

This list is for developers, data analysts and DBAs who query, browse and edit databases through a visual client instead of a terminal. It covers universal clients that connect to many engines (DBeaver, DataGrip, DbVisualizer, DbGate, Navicat Premium), lightweight editors built for speed (Beekeeper Studio, TablePlus), PostgreSQL specialists (pgAdmin, Postico 2) and a free Windows-first classic (HeidiSQL). We compared documented features and published prices for 10 tools. Scores weigh features at 40%, ease of use at 30% and value at 30%.

By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026

Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com

Mojolin is self-funded How we score

DBeaver is our top pick for most people: the free Community edition covers the main relational databases with a data editor, SQL editor and AI chat, and the PRO editions add NoSQL, cloud databases and a visual query builder from $12 a month. Beekeeper Studio is the easiest client to pick up, with a free Community Edition and paid plans that keep a lifetime license for the versions you paid for. DataGrip has the strongest SQL editor and is free for non-commercial use. TablePlus is the best native app for people who prefer a one-time license, DbGate is the best value web and desktop client, and pgAdmin remains the default free tool for PostgreSQL administration.

Top picks

Best overall

DBeaver

8.8 / 10

Developers and analysts who want one free client for many relational databases, with a paid path to NoSQL and cloud sources.

Read the review →

Runner-up

Beekeeper Studio

8.7 / 10

Developers who want a clean, quick SQL client that works the same on every desktop OS.

Read the review →

Also great

DataGrip

8.6 / 10

Developers who write a lot of SQL and want IDE-level completion, refactoring and history.

Read the review →

Comparison table

#ToolPricingScore
1DBeaverFree open-source Community edition; DBeaver Lite costs $12 per month or $113 per year8.8
2Beekeeper StudioFree Community Edition; Indie from $9 per user per month billed yearly ($18 monthly); Business $18 per user per month billed yearly8.7
3DataGripFree for non-commercial use; see vendor pricing for commercial subscriptions (USD check pending)8.6
4TablePlusOne-time license: Basic $99 for 1 device with a year of updates; Team $79 per seat, from 3 seats8.5
5DbGateFree Community edition; Premium $12 per month or $120 per year for one user; Team Premium $15 per user per month8.3
6DbVisualizerFree edition; Pro from $199 per user for the first year with 60-day support, then $89 a year; Pro with premium support $2298.2
7Navicat PremiumFree Navicat Premium Lite; see vendor pricing for subscriptions and perpetual licenses (USD check pending)8.0
8pgAdminFree and open source under the PostgreSQL licence7.9
9HeidiSQLFree and open source; donations accepted7.8
10Postico 2One-time license: Personal $69 for up to 3 devices; Commercial $99 per device; Student $297.8

Scoring weights

Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method

Features40%
Ease of use30%
Value30%

The full ranking

  1. Rank 1 · Best overall

    DBeaver

    Universal database client with a free open-source Community edition and paid PRO editions for NoSQL, cloud and enterprise security.

    dbeaver.com

    8.8

    out of 10

    Best for: Developers and analysts who want one free client for many relational databases, with a paid path to NoSQL and cloud sources.

    DBeaver is the most widely applicable client in this list because the free Community edition already covers MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite and other relational engines, with a data editor, SQL editor, task management, maintenance tools and AI Chat. When a team outgrows it, the commercial PRO line adds NoSQL support for MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis and CouchDB, cloud databases like Redshift, BigQuery and Oracle Cloud, native AWS, Google Cloud and Azure connections, a Visual Query Builder and a Task Scheduler.

    DBeaver Lite is the cheapest PRO entry at $12 a month or $113 a year, and DBeaver Enterprise adds schema and data compare, ERD edit mode, mock data generation and SSO with secret managers. A 14-day trial covers PRO, and students can request a free academic license. The tradeoff is breadth: the interface is dense, and choosing among Lite, Enterprise, Ultimate, CloudBeaver and Team Edition takes some reading.

    Standout feature

    A free open-source edition that covers the main relational databases, with paid editions reaching over 100 data sources.

    Use cases

    • Backend developers

      Query MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite from one desktop app

      Outcome: One free client instead of a separate tool per engine

    • Data analysts

      Build joins with the Visual Query Builder in a PRO edition

      Outcome: Working SQL without writing every join by hand

    • Platform teams

      Compare schemas and data between staging and production in DBeaver Enterprise

      Outcome: Differences found and synced before a release

    Key features

    • Free Community edition with Data Editor, SQL Editor, task management and database maintenance tools
    • AI Chat and the @ai command in the Community edition
    • PRO editions add MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, CouchDB and cloud databases such as BigQuery and Redshift
    • Visual Query Builder, Task Scheduler and native AWS, Google Cloud and Azure support in PRO
    • Schema and data compare, ER diagrams and mock data generation in DBeaver Enterprise

    Pros

    • Community edition is free and open source
    • Enterprise lists support for over 100 data sources
    • Free academic licenses for students

    Cons

    • The many editions (Lite, Enterprise, Ultimate, Team) take time to compare
    • NoSQL and cloud database support need a paid PRO edition
    • DBeaver describes Community as recommended for personal projects
  2. Rank 2 · Runner-up

    Beekeeper Studio

    Fast, open-source SQL editor and database manager for Windows, macOS and Linux with a free Community Edition.

    beekeeperstudio.io

    8.7

    out of 10

    Best for: Developers who want a clean, quick SQL client that works the same on every desktop OS.

    Beekeeper Studio puts speed and simplicity first. Its SQL editor has syntax highlighting and table-aware autocomplete, saved queries and connections sit in folders, and you can open dozens of tabs without switching windows. Tables open in a spreadsheet-like grid where you edit cells directly, including JSON stored as text, and a table creator handles columns, indexes and foreign keys without SQL. The AI Shell connects your database to an AI model, explores the schema and runs SQL only with your permission.

    The Community Edition is free and supports engines such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, SQL Server and Redshift, though Beekeeper asks larger organizations to buy a license. Indie costs $9 per user a month billed yearly or $18 monthly, Business is $18 a month billed yearly, and Enterprise starts at $4,999 a month. Paid plans keep a lifetime license for the versions released during your term, and Cloud Workspaces share connections and queries across a team. Some engines, including MongoDB and DynamoDB, need a paid plan.

    Standout feature

    Paid plans include a lifetime license for every version released during your subscription.

    Use cases

    • Full-stack developers

      Fix a customer record by editing a cell in query results

      Outcome: Data corrected without writing an UPDATE statement

    • Linux users

      Use the same SQL client on Linux, macOS and Windows

      Outcome: One workflow across every machine

    • Small engineering teams

      Share connections and saved queries through Cloud Workspaces

      Outcome: New teammates connect in minutes

    Key features

    • Spreadsheet-like table view with inline editing of cells and query results
    • AI Shell that explores your schema and runs SQL with your permission
    • Table creator for columns, indexes and foreign keys without writing SQL
    • Import from CSV and export to CSV, JSON, JSONL and SQL
    • Cloud Workspaces to sync and share connections and saved queries

    Pros

    • Free Community Edition with SSH tunnels and common SQL engines
    • Paid plans include a lifetime license for versions released during your term
    • 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans

    Cons

    • Community Edition is meant for individuals and businesses under 10 employees or $1m revenue
    • Engines such as MongoDB, Trino and DynamoDB need a paid plan
    • Indie plan limits each user to one device
  3. Rank 3 · Also great

    DataGrip

    JetBrains IDE for relational and NoSQL databases with schema-aware SQL completion and AI agent support.

    jetbrains.com

    8.6

    out of 10

    Best for: Developers who write a lot of SQL and want IDE-level completion, refactoring and history.

    DataGrip brings the JetBrains IDE approach to databases. Its SQL support is the deepest in this list: schema-aware completion, error detection and quick-fixes across dialects, plus formatting and code style rules you define. It connects to over 50 local and cloud databases, from PostgreSQL, MySQL and Oracle to MongoDB, Redis, DuckDB, Snowflake and BigQuery, and can discover instances directly from AWS, Google Cloud and Azure accounts.

    Query results open in interactive tables with sorting, filtering, editing and no-code visualizations, and you can import or export in standard formats. Local history tracks every query run by you or an AI agent, lets you revert unwanted changes and recover deleted files, and Git versions your scripts. Agents can use your own API key, an existing subscription or JetBrains AI, with permissions and confirmation dialogs. DataGrip is free for non-commercial use; commercial work needs a subscription after a 30-day trial. The price page loads through scripts, so we could not confirm the USD figure.

    Standout feature

    Local history records every query, including those run by AI agents, and lets you revert unwanted changes.

    Use cases

    • Backend engineers

      Write and refactor complex queries across PostgreSQL and MySQL

      Outcome: Fewer errors thanks to schema-aware completion and inspections

    • Teams using AI agents

      Let an agent work on a database with confirmation dialogs

      Outcome: Agent changes logged and reversible through local history

    • Students

      Learn SQL in a full IDE under the non-commercial license

      Outcome: Professional tooling at no cost

    Key features

    • Schema-aware code completion, error detection and quick-fixes across SQL dialects
    • Over 50 local and cloud databases, including PostgreSQL, Oracle, MongoDB, Redis and Snowflake
    • Instance discovery from AWS, Google Cloud and Azure accounts
    • Local history to revert changes and recover deleted files, plus Git for SQL scripts
    • AI agents with schema context, customizable permissions and confirmation dialogs

    Pros

    • Free for non-commercial use
    • Custom formatting and code style rules for SQL
    • Same database tools are available inside other JetBrains IDEs

    Cons

    • Commercial use requires a paid subscription
    • An IDE has more settings to learn than a lightweight client
    • Commercial price did not load as a USD figure for us
  4. Rank 4

    TablePlus

    Native database GUI for macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS sold as a one-time license.

    tableplus.com

    8.5

    out of 10

    Best for: Mac-first developers who want a fast native app and prefer to buy once rather than subscribe.

    TablePlus is a native client that stays small and fast. It supports a wide set of engines, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, SQLite, Redis, MongoDB, Redshift, Oracle, ClickHouse, BigQuery, Snowflake, DuckDB, libSQL and Cloudflare D1. You edit rows, structure and results inline, filter with multiple advanced filters and jump to any table or function from a quick-open box. Safe mode and a code review step help prevent mistakes on production databases, and the SQL editor offers autocomplete, split panes, a reformatter and streaming results.

    Pricing is a one-time purchase: Basic is $99 for one device, Standard covers two devices, and Team is $79 per seat starting with three seats and adds a license manager. Each license includes a year of updates, after which the app keeps working and renewal costs $59 per device. The trial has no time limit but caps tabs, windows and filters at two. TablePlus does less than DBeaver or DataGrip on modeling and administration, by design.

    Standout feature

    Native apps on four platforms with a perpetual license and no subscription.

    Use cases

    • Mac developers

      Browse and edit Postgres and Redis data in a native app

      Outcome: Quick lookups without a heavy Java client

    • On-call engineers

      Check a production row with Safe mode enabled

      Outcome: Lower risk of an accidental write

    • Small agencies

      Buy a Team license for three developers

      Outcome: Perpetual seats managed in one license manager

    Key features

    • Native apps for macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS
    • Inline editing of rows, table structure and query results
    • Safe mode and a code review step before changes reach the database
    • SQL editor with instant autocomplete, split panes, reformatter and streaming results
    • Support for PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Redis, MongoDB, ClickHouse, Snowflake, DuckDB and more

    Pros

    • Perpetual license with no subscription
    • iOS app unlocks free for desktop license owners while updates are active
    • 7-day money-back guarantee

    Cons

    • Updates and support last one year, renewals cost $59 per device
    • Free trial limits you to 2 tabs, 2 windows and 2 advanced filters
    • Basic license covers only one device
  5. Rank 5

    DbGate

    SQL and NoSQL database manager that runs as a desktop app or a self-hosted web app.

    dbgate.io

    8.3

    out of 10

    Best for: Teams that want the same client on the desktop and in a browser at a low monthly price.

    DbGate is a modern client for SQL and NoSQL databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, SQLite, MongoDB and Redis. Its data browser supports many filters, master-detail views and foreign key lookups for moving between related tables, and you can edit data with batch updates and macros. The query console has parameters, history and autocomplete, and an AI Database Chat answers questions in natural language and runs generated SQL only with your permission.

    The free Community edition runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and as a self-hosted web app. Premium costs $12 a month or $120 a year for one user and adds the query designer, charts, data compare, advanced import and export, and unlimited cloud storage for connections. Team Premium is $15 per user a month and adds administration of users, roles and connections plus external identity providers. DbGate also sells AWS and Azure editions priced by the hour. It is a smaller project than the market leaders, so check engine-specific features before you commit.

    Standout feature

    The same client runs as a desktop app or a self-hosted web app, even on the free edition.

    Use cases

    • Dev teams on mixed stacks

      Query Postgres and MongoDB from the same app

      Outcome: One tool for relational and document data

    • IT administrators

      Host the web app for a team with role-based access

      Outcome: Browser access to databases without local installs

    • Analysts

      Export several tables to Excel in one batch

      Outcome: Reports prepared without scripting

    Key features

    • Data browser with master-detail views, foreign key lookups, batch updates and macros
    • Query designer that joins SQL tables, MongoDB collections and CosmosDB containers
    • ER diagrams, charts and map views for geo data
    • Import and export in SQL, CSV, JSON, XML, NDJSON, Excel, DBF and YAML
    • AI Database Chat that generates and runs SQL with your explicit permission

    Pros

    • Free Community edition for desktop and self-hosted web
    • Covers SQL databases plus MongoDB and Redis
    • Team Premium adds user, role and connection administration

    Cons

    • Free edition caps DbGate Cloud at 5 connections and 5 SQL files
    • Query designer, charts and data compare need Premium
    • Smaller vendor than DBeaver or JetBrains
  6. Rank 6

    DbVisualizer

    Universal SQL client and database tool with a free edition and a Pro license that never expires.

    dbvis.com

    8.2

    out of 10

    Best for: Data professionals who work across Oracle, SQL Server, Db2 and other enterprise databases.

    DbVisualizer is a long-running universal client aimed at data professionals who deal with many engines, including Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake, Elasticsearch, Db2, SQLite and Microsoft Access. Its SQL editor formats pasted queries, suggests completions and supports variables so you can rerun a query with new values. JDBC drivers are managed through Maven with version handling, and the tool supports database-specific object types and actions. An opt-in AI assistant helps write and improve SQL, explain schemas and results, and troubleshoot errors.

    The free edition covers a standard feature set. Pro costs $199 per user for the first year with support during the first 60 days, then $89 a year to renew, or $229 with premium support for the whole term. Every Pro subscription includes a perpetual usage license, so the app keeps working if you stop paying. A 21-day trial unlocks Pro without sign-up. The installers ship with Java, and the interface is more traditional than Beekeeper Studio or TablePlus.

    Standout feature

    Every Pro subscription includes a perpetual usage license, so the app keeps working after you stop paying.

    Use cases

    • Enterprise DBAs

      Manage Oracle, SQL Server and Db2 from one client

      Outcome: One tool with database-specific object support

    • Data analysts

      Rerun saved queries with different values using variables

      Outcome: Repeat reports without editing SQL by hand

    • Companies buying in volume

      License 50 or more users

      Outcome: Per-user price drops to $144 for the first year

    Key features

    • Advanced SQL editor with formatting, auto-suggestions and query variables
    • Support for Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake, Db2, Elasticsearch and more
    • Built-in JDBC driver management via Maven with version handling
    • Opt-in AI assistant for writing SQL, understanding schemas and troubleshooting errors
    • Support for database-specific object types and actions

    Pros

    • Pro subscriptions include a perpetual usage license
    • Free 21-day Pro trial with no sign-up or credit card
    • Volume discounts down to $144 per user for 50+ users

    Cons

    • Installers bundle Java, so downloads are larger than native clients
    • Most advanced features need the Pro license
    • Renewal is needed to keep receiving updates
  7. Rank 8

    pgAdmin

    Free, open-source administration and development tool for PostgreSQL, available as a desktop or web app.

    pgadmin.org

    7.9

    out of 10

    Best for: PostgreSQL users and DBAs who want a free, full administration tool maintained by the community.

    pgAdmin is the open-source management tool for PostgreSQL, covering administration, development and monitoring. It runs as a desktop application on Windows, macOS and Linux, or as a web application in server mode that a team can reach from a browser, with packages for DEB, RPM, pip and a container image. The Query Tool includes auto-completion, query history and a graphical EXPLAIN to see where a query spends its time, and you can view and edit data, including through simple auto-updatable views.

    The project releases roughly every six weeks; version 9.19 in October 2026 included 136 bug fixes and new features, among them fixes for 15 security vulnerabilities. pgAdmin is free under the PostgreSQL licence. The tradeoffs are scope and polish: it supports only PostgreSQL, and the tree-heavy interface takes longer to learn than Postico 2 or TablePlus. For PostgreSQL administration tasks such as roles, backups and server settings, it remains the reference tool.

    Standout feature

    A free PostgreSQL tool that runs on the desktop or as a shared web app.

    Use cases

    • PostgreSQL DBAs

      Manage roles, backups and server objects

      Outcome: Full administration at no license cost

    • Developers tuning queries

      Read a graphical EXPLAIN plan

      Outcome: Slow steps found quickly

    • Platform teams

      Run pgAdmin in server mode from a container

      Outcome: Shared browser access for the whole team

    Key features

    • Administration, development and monitoring for PostgreSQL
    • Desktop mode or server mode reachable from a browser
    • Query Tool with auto-completion, query history and graphical EXPLAIN
    • Installers for Windows and macOS, DEB and RPM packages, pip and a container image
    • View and edit data, including simple auto-updatable views

    Pros

    • Completely free under the PostgreSQL licence
    • Released roughly every six weeks
    • Can be deployed as a shared web app in containers or Kubernetes

    Cons

    • Supports PostgreSQL only
    • Interface is busier than lightweight clients
    • Community support rather than a commercial support plan
  8. Rank 9

    HeidiSQL

    Free, open-source database client for MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite and more.

    heidisql.com

    7.8

    out of 10

    Best for: Windows users who work mainly with MariaDB or MySQL and want a free, light client.

    HeidiSQL has been a go-to free client for MariaDB and MySQL since 2002 and is still actively maintained. It also connects to SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL and Redshift, and supports SSH tunnels and SSL settings. You can create and edit tables, views, stored routines, triggers and scheduled events, manage user privileges with roles, monitor and kill client processes, and optimize or repair tables in batches.

    Export options are broad: SQL dumps, direct transfer from one server to another, and table rows as CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, LaTeX, Textile, PHP, Markdown or JSON. A search finds text across all tables of all databases on a server, which helps when you do not know where a value lives. The Windows version is built with Delphi, while macOS and Linux builds use Lazarus, and the October 2026 release 12.22 added Interbase and Firebird on those platforms. HeidiSQL is free, with donations accepted, but it lacks NoSQL support and the modern polish of paid clients.

    Standout feature

    A free client that can export directly from one server or database to another.

    Use cases

    • PHP and WordPress developers

      Browse and edit MySQL tables on a local or remote server

      Outcome: Quick edits with no license cost

    • Database administrators

      Copy a database directly from one server to another

      Outcome: Migration without intermediate dump files

    • Support engineers

      Search for a value across every table on a server

      Outcome: The right row found without knowing the schema

    Key features

    • Connects to MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL and Redshift
    • Create and edit tables, views, stored routines, triggers and scheduled events
    • SQL exports and direct export from one server to another
    • Export rows as CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, LaTeX, Markdown and JSON
    • SSH tunnel and SSL connections, user privilege management and process monitor

    Pros

    • Completely free and open source
    • Actively maintained since 2002
    • Finds text across all tables of all databases on a server

    Cons

    • Strongest on MariaDB and MySQL, lighter on other engines
    • No NoSQL support
    • macOS and Linux builds are newer than the Windows version
  9. Rank 10

    Postico 2

    Native Mac app for PostgreSQL focused on data entry, search and SQL queries.

    eggerapps.at

    7.8

    out of 10

    Best for: Mac users who work with PostgreSQL and want the simplest possible native client.

    Postico 2 is a Mac app built for people who use PostgreSQL rather than administer it, from researchers and analysts to app developers and students. Click a table and the data appears; add, edit or filter rows, use the foreign key picker to fill relations, and open the row detail sidebar for wide records. The structure editor puts columns, indexes and constraints in one view, with a DDL view for those who prefer raw SQL, and a function editor handles stored procedures.

    The query editor works with multiple SQL files in folders, autosaves changes and formats queries with the built-in pgFormatter. Postico supports PostgreSQL plus Amazon Redshift, Greenplum and CockroachDB. A Personal license costs $69 once for up to three devices, Commercial is $99 per device, a team license for up to 10 devices is $799, and students pay $29. The evaluation version has no time limit but disables some features. It runs only on macOS 14 or later and only with PostgreSQL-compatible databases.

    Standout feature

    A Mac-native PostgreSQL client focused on data entry and search rather than administration.

    Use cases

    • Researchers and analysts

      Enter and filter rows in a Postgres table

      Outcome: Data work without learning an IDE

    • Mac app developers

      Keep a folder of SQL files for a project

      Outcome: Queries organized and autosaved

    • Students

      Learn PostgreSQL with the $29 student license

      Outcome: A full native client at low cost

    Key features

    • Multi-file SQL query editor with folders, autosave and built-in pgFormatter
    • Table structure editor that unifies columns, indexes and constraints
    • Foreign key picker and row detail sidebar for data entry
    • Function and stored procedure editor
    • Support for PostgreSQL, Amazon Redshift, CockroachDB and Greenplum

    Pros

    • Very focused, easy interface for PostgreSQL
    • Perpetual licenses, including a $29 student license
    • Evaluation version has no time limit

    Cons

    • Mac only, and requires macOS 14 or later
    • PostgreSQL-compatible databases only
    • Some features are disabled in the evaluation version

Buying guide

How to choose

Start with the databases you actually use

List every engine you touch today and the ones you expect next year, then check each vendor's supported databases page. DBeaver Enterprise lists over 100 data sources and DataGrip over 50, while pgAdmin and Postico 2 focus on PostgreSQL and compatible systems. NoSQL support often sits behind a paid tier: DBeaver adds MongoDB, Cassandra and Redis in its PRO editions, and Beekeeper Studio's comparison table marks MongoDB, Trino and DynamoDB as paid.

Decide how much SQL help you need

Analysts who mostly browse and filter tables want a spreadsheet-like grid with inline editing, which every tool here offers. Developers who write long queries benefit from schema-aware completion, refactoring, local history and Git support, where DataGrip leads. Visual query builders help people who prefer not to write joins by hand: DBeaver PRO, DbGate Premium and Navicat Premium include one.

Compare license models, not just headline prices

Prices here mix subscriptions and one-time purchases. TablePlus Basic is $99 once per device with a year of updates, Postico 2 Personal is $69 once, and DbVisualizer Pro is $199 per user for the first year with a perpetual usage license. Beekeeper Studio and DbGate bill monthly or yearly, and DBeaver Lite is $12 a month. Work out what you will pay over three years, including renewals for updates.

Check safety features before connecting to production

A GUI makes it easy to edit a live row by mistake. TablePlus has a Safe mode and a code review step that shows pending changes, DataGrip lets you revert changes through local history and set permissions for AI agents, and Beekeeper Studio's AI Shell runs SQL only with your permission. Use read-only connections or startup settings for production where the tool supports them.

Think about sharing connections across a team

Solo users can keep connections on one machine, but teams waste time copying credentials. Beekeeper Studio Cloud Workspaces, DbGate Cloud and DBeaver Team Edition share connections and saved queries, and Navicat offers Navicat Collaboration. TablePlus and Postico 2 sell team licenses but focus on per-device activation rather than shared workspaces.

Frequently asked questions

+What is the best database GUI tool in 2026?

DBeaver is our top pick because its free Community edition covers the main relational databases and its PRO editions, from $12 a month for Lite, add NoSQL and cloud sources. Beekeeper Studio is the best alternative for people who want a simpler, faster client, with paid plans from $9 per user a month billed yearly.

+What is the best free database GUI?

DBeaver Community, HeidiSQL and pgAdmin are free and open source. Beekeeper Studio and DbGate also have free Community editions, and DataGrip is free for non-commercial use.

+Which database GUI is best for PostgreSQL?

pgAdmin is the free reference tool for PostgreSQL administration, and Postico 2 is the easiest native PostgreSQL client on a Mac, from $69 once. Universal clients such as DBeaver, DataGrip and TablePlus also handle PostgreSQL well.

+Which database GUI tools work on Mac?

TablePlus and Postico 2 are native Mac apps, and DBeaver, Beekeeper Studio, DataGrip, DbGate, DbVisualizer, Navicat Premium, pgAdmin and HeidiSQL all offer macOS builds. Postico 2 requires macOS 14 or later.

+Is a one-time license or a subscription better for a database client?

TablePlus ($99 per device) and Postico 2 ($69 personal) sell perpetual licenses with update periods, and DbVisualizer Pro includes a perpetual usage license with a $199 first-year price. Subscriptions such as Beekeeper Studio, DbGate and DBeaver Lite cost less up front and include ongoing updates, so compare the three-year total.

About this list

Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded

Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com

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