Top 7 MySQL GUIs in 2024

MySQL Database

MySQL is among the most widely used and popular database technologies. Ahead of SQL databases like Postgres and SQLite, MySQL has been the more popular choice for many years. This article compares some of the best MySQL GUIs for database developers and administrators.

Developers and database managers are faced with several tasks when working with a database such as creating and executing queries, managing objects, debugging, etc. This can quickly become challenging to manage. Database GUIs have been created to make it easy to manage MySQL databases visually, without having to manually type SQL commands. GUIs make the processes of designing, creating, and administering databases easier and more convenient. 

1. MySQL Workbench 

MySQL Workbench is a unified visual tool for database architects, developers, and DBAs. A full-fledged GUI solution, MySQL Workbench offers functionality to design, develop, and administer your MySQL database. This is the only SQL client that is supported and developed by Oracle, the company behind MySQL itself. So you can be sure that it will contain all recent features to match the updates for MySQL’s server. 

Pros:

1. Create and manage database-server connections, connection parameters, and integrated query execution
2. Assemble data into meaningful graphical designs
3. Table Editor makes it easy to alter tables, columns, indexes, triggers, options, privileges, inserts, and partitioning
4. MySQL Enterprise support. Regularly maintained
5. See server status and health, as well as server logs – using intuitive dashboards
6. Available for Linux, Mac and Windows
7. available in 3 editions – Community, Standard, and Enterprise. Community is a free open-source edition offering a basic set of features, and the remaining two are commercial editions with extended functionality.

Cons:

1. Sometimes buggy. Some users have reported it tool crashes
2. Sometimes large queries can’t be stopped and have to be forcefully killed. In some cases, the entire application has to be killed.

Installation process:

You can download the MySQL Workbench installer from the official MySQL website and follow the prompts to install it on your machine.

Use-cases supported:

MySQL Workbench is a comprehensive database design and management tool that supports tasks such as schema design, SQL development, server administration, data migration, and backup/restore operations.

Cost:

MySQL Workbench is free and open-source software.

2. DbVisualizer

DBVisualizer stands out as a versatile SQL GUI client, supporting a spectrum of databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and SQL Server. Its user-friendly interface simplifies navigation, providing a graphical representation of database structures. With a robust SQL editor featuring syntax highlighting and auto-completion, writing and debugging queries become seamless. The tool’s proficiency extends to data exploration and editing, visual database design, scripting support, and secure connection management.

Pros:

1. DBVisualizer supports a wide range of databases, promoting cross-database compatibility.
2. Its intuitive interface and graphical representation facilitate easy navigation and understanding of database structures.
3. The robust SQL editor enhances query development with features like syntax highlighting and auto-completion.
4. Data exploration and editing are streamlined, enabling efficient interaction with database records.
5. The tool provides visual database design tools, aiding in the creation and modification of database structures.

Cons:

1. The extensive feature set may be overwhelming for users seeking a simpler, more lightweight solution.
2. Some advanced features may require a learning curve for new users.

Installation process:

To install DBVisualizer, download the installer from the official website, run the executable file, and follow the on-screen instructions. Choose installation preferences and configure database connections during setup.

Use case supported:

DBVisualizer is ideal for SQL developers and database administrators working across diverse databases. Its versatile use cases include efficient SQL development, seamless data exploration and editing, and visual database design for streamlined management of database structures.

Cost:

DBVisualizer provides users with a choice between a complimentary version and a premium Pro version. The Pro version has an initial cost of $197 per user for the first year, followed by subsequent years at $69 per user.

3. dbForge

The dbForge GUI is the best option when it comes to IDE for MySQL. It’s the first thing that pops out when you search for it online. A positively reviewed database GUI, dbForge is a multi-purpose tool that offers a lot of worthwhile features and functionality necessary for MySQL database development and maintenance. 

dbForge helps in creating and executing queries, developing and debugging stored routines, automating database object management, and much more.

Pros:

1. It can connect to several MySQL flavors – MariaDB to Percona to even Alibaba Cloud’s MySQL 
2. Query profiler helps DBAs capture different session statistics such as execution time, query plan, status variables
3. dbForge uses MySQL native commands like EXPLAIN and SHOW PROFILE to gather session data and presents it in an easy-to-understand format in the GUI
4. Master-detail browsers, pivot tables, and MS Access style reporting help in data analysis
5. GUI functionalities can be saved as command-line outputs before you run them
6. Use text-based commands for automating tasks like backups or data import/exports
7. Natively import JSON, XML, Google Sheets, Excel, Access or ODBC databases

Cons:

1. A complete version can be expensive for some users
2. Very basic JSON viewer (for example, no way to collapse or expand blocks of data).
3. Users report that in some cases the autocomplete feature stops working, whenever many connections are opened.

Installation process:

You can download the dbForge installer from the Devart website and follow the prompts to install it on your machine.

Use-cases supported:

dbForge is a MySQL GUI that offers tools for schema management, query development, data analysis, and server administration. It also supports working with other database systems such as Oracle, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL.

Cost:

dbForge comes in both free and paid versions, with the paid versions starting at $109/ year and offering more advanced features.

4. DBeaver

DBeaver is another open-source cross-platform GUI tool popularly used for SQL databases by both developers and database administrators. The GUI allows you to navigate easily through your data and perform full-text searches to create filtered tables and views. DBeaver runs as a desktop application. The process of connecting it to your local database is very intuitive and you don’t need to have CLI experience to get started with this tool.

This tool supports the import and export of data with many file formats such as CSV, HTML, XML, JSON, XLS, and XLSX. You can also use this tool to generate ER diagrams for a database/schema.

Pros:

1. DBeaver connects to any database that has a JDBC driver – such as MariaDB, Sybase, SQLite, Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, MS Access, Firebird, Teradata, Apache Hive
2. You can run DBeaver MySQL GUI on Windows, Linux, and macOS
3. Table Editor makes it easy to alter tables, columns, indexes, triggers, options, privileges, inserts, and partitioning
4. create multiple data views to support a variety of user needs. 
5. It has a free open-source edition as well as an enterprise edition. You can buy the standard license for the enterprise edition at $199. 
6. Easy Import/Export/Backup
7. Mock Data Generator

Cons:

1. It can be a bit slow when dealing with large data sets compared to some expensive GUI tools 
2. Sometimes buggy 
3. Sometimes large queries can’t be stopped and have to be forcefully killed. In some cases, the entire application has to be killed. 

Installation process:

You can download the dBeaver installer from the official website and follow the prompts to install it on your machine.

Use-cases supported:

dBeaver is a universal database tool that supports multiple database systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and more. It offers features such as data editing, SQL query development, schema management, and data transfer.

Cost:

dBeaver is free and open-source software, but a paid version starting at $99 with additional features is also available.

5. PHPMyAdmin

PHPMyAdmin is another widely popular web-based MySQL administration tool written in PHP.

Easy to install and use, PHPMyAdmin is completely free to use. Allows you to use either the GUI or direct commands.

It sports basic functionality, enough to help users create functioning websites without having the expertise in MySQL. Over the years, however, it has had the time to develop and enhance the tool for a bunch of top-requested features. Database administrators and architects can use the tool to handle tasks ranging from simple to complex such as creating multi-format database graphics. 

Pros:

1. Support for MySQL functions like browse or drop for tables, databases, fields, views, and indexes
2. Importing and exporting data in a wide range of formats
3. Transformation of stored data using predefined functions and formats
4. It can be easily accessed from most computers because it’s web-based
5. Simple to install and use
6. Available in 80 languages – both left-to-right and right-to-left ones, making it accessible to global users

Cons:

1. It cannot be used for any databases, as it supports only MySQL and MariaDB 
2. Though it supports the classic servers and systems, its growth is not parallel to the technological growth of the current industry standards

Installation process:

PHPMyAdmin is a web-based tool that can be installed on a web server. You can download the latest version from the official website and follow the instructions to set it up on your server.

Use-cases supported:

PHPMyAdmin is primarily used for managing MySQL databases through a web interface. It offers features such as query development, data manipulation, schema management, and server administration.

Cost:

PHPMyAdmin is free and open-source software.

6. HeidiSQL

HeidiSQL is a lightweight freeware tool for working with databases. An easy-to-use GUI, HeidiSQL can be used to browse or edit data, create and modify tables, manage user privileges, or do other tasks. HeidiSQL is available for Windows and Linux

It is free to use and also allows you to connect to your database via SSH tunneling. It also supports batch insertion of ASCII and binary files into database tables.

Pros:

1. A portable version is available for download, so you can use it without administrative privileges, or requiring installation 
2. Easy to use and very intuitive user interface
3. Full database user management and privileges management options
4. Automate connections via command-line utility
5. Great syntax checks and auto-completion features.

Cons:

1. It can work with Linux distributions but will require the Wine platform
2. Some users are reporting sudden crashes/bugs, but nothing that significantly interrupts the daily usage
3. No official support for Mac OS

Installation process:

You can download the HeidiSQL installer from the official website and follow the prompts to install it on your machine.

Use-cases supported:

HeidiSQL is a lightweight MySQL GUI offering query development, data editing, schema management, and server administration features.

Cost:

HeidiSQL is free and open-source software.

7. DronaHQ

DronaHQ is a web-based low-code internal tool builder to create internal tools like database GUIs, Admin Panels, Dashboards, and custom apps.  The low-code platform makes it easy to build apps on top of your team’s data using ready connectors and API integrations. 

Thanks to a WYSIWYG UI editor and pre-built UI controls, you can create full-feature MySQL GUIs, and MySQL viewer, perform CRUD operations, connect to anything with a REST or GraphQL API, view data in tables, charts, and JSON viewers, and automate tasks. By creating interactive GUI tools on the platform, you get to quickly view, edit, and analyze information whether you prefer lists, tables, charts 

Pros:

1. Easily connect to MySQL and practically anything with a REST or GraphQL API in a couple of clicks
2. Visual builder is easy to learn. Reusable controls like charts, table grids, lists, detailed views, buttons, form fields, and custom UI controls further save time spent in designing the perfect user interface 
3. A visual query builder to query your SQL/NoSQL databases when you need server-side filtering based on criteria defined at run time.
4. Built once, you can access your database GUIs from any end-user portal – web, tablet, mobile
5. Support multiple pricing plans including developer-only plans.
6. If you need to share the tool/app with more end-users, you can grant role-based access permissions to control who has view rights, edit rights, delete permissions, and so on.

Cons:

1. DronaHQ is not primarily designed for MySQL so it is missing some features like real-time query debugging
2. There are only about 50 ready connectors but more are in the queue 

Installation process:

DronaHQ is a cloud-based tool that can be accessed through a web browser. You can sign up for an account and start with a 30-day free trial of the business plan.

Use-cases supported:

DronaHQ is a low-code app development platform that includes a visual database builder for MySQL and other database systems. It can be used for building web and mobile apps, database GUIs, admin panels, dashboards, CRUD interfaces, reporting tools, MySQL GUIs, and more.

Cost:

DronaHQ offers both free forever and paid plans, with the paid plans starting at $10 and offering more advanced features.

Best MySQL GUIs for Your Project

In addition to the above, there are a plethora of MySQL GUIs to choose from. 

MySQL Workbench is ideal if it’s just some quick and easy querying that you need to do. If you need to build a more robust MySQL viewer, you would be better suited to build it with a framework such as DronaHQ.  

dbForge has loads of features for the developer. Code Completion is anyone’s game, but what about database schema data comparison and an advanced debugger for your code? What about generating test data for your load testing? This tool offers these features and more.

 DronaHQ offers a complete set of powerful building blocks to design custom internal tools. You can create a frontend app in under a minute visually by dragging and dropping UI controls from a library of over 100+ pre-built controls. Bind the UI controls to the SQL database of choice or pick from over 50 data integrations or any other data source with a REST or GraphQL API. Get started for free >