DataGrip from JetBrains is the most intelligent database IDE available. Its SQL auto-completion understands database schemas, suggests context-aware completions, and can even detect errors before you run queries. The tool supports all major databases with consistent quality across PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and more. Developers familiar with JetBrains IDEs will feel right at home.
Starting price$199/year
Strengths
Best-in-class SQL intelligence
Excellent refactoring tools
Consistent experience across databases
JetBrains ecosystem integration
Limitations
Subscription pricing
Resource intensive
Who it's for: Ideal for professional developers who work with multiple databases and want the most intelligent query editing experience available.
TablePlus delivers a beautiful, native Mac experience for database management (with Windows and Linux versions available). The interface is fast and responsive, making it a joy to work with data. It supports 20+ databases and offers features like inline editing, multi-tab queries, and secure connections. The one-time license makes it economical for long-term use.
Starting price$89
Strengths
Beautiful native interface
Lightning-fast performance
One-time license payment
Great keyboard shortcuts
Limitations
No ER diagrams
Less advanced features than DataGrip
Who it's for: Best for Mac developers who value design and speed, or anyone wanting a premium native experience without subscription costs.
DBeaver is a free, open-source database tool that supports over 100 databases through JDBC drivers. The community edition offers impressive functionality including SQL editor, data browser, ER diagrams, and data export. The enterprise edition adds NoSQL support, data compare tools, and team collaboration. It's the go-to choice for teams that need wide database coverage without licensing costs.
Starting priceFree/$199/yr
Strengths
Free community edition
Supports 100+ databases
ER diagram generation
Active open-source community
Limitations
UI can feel dated
Slower than native apps
Who it's for: Perfect for teams needing a free, comprehensive database tool with maximum database compatibility.
Beekeeper Studio is a modern, open-source SQL editor designed with simplicity in mind. The interface is clean and beautiful without overwhelming features. It supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, SQL Server, and more. The community edition is free forever, while the Ultimate edition adds features like data versioning, AI assistance, and priority support.
Starting priceFree/$99/yr
Strengths
Beautiful, simple interface
Open-source community edition
Fast and lightweight
Cross-platform support
Limitations
Fewer databases than DBeaver
Limited advanced features
Who it's for: Great for developers who want a simple, beautiful database tool without complexity or those starting with SQL.
Navicat is an enterprise-grade database management tool with comprehensive features for database administration, development, and modeling. It offers data modeling, structure sync, scheduled backups, and team collaboration. Different editions focus on specific databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, etc.) or the Premium edition covers all. The price reflects its enterprise positioning.
Starting price$599
Strengths
Comprehensive enterprise features
Data modeling and design
Automation and scheduling
Structure and data sync
Limitations
Expensive licensing
Can feel complex for simple tasks
Who it's for: Best for database administrators and enterprises needing advanced features like modeling, sync, and automation.
pgAdmin is the official management tool for PostgreSQL, developed by the PostgreSQL community. It's completely free and offers comprehensive PostgreSQL-specific features including server administration, query tool, and procedural debugging. The web-based interface can be run locally or on a server. It's the definitive tool for PostgreSQL power users.
Starting priceFree
Strengths
Official PostgreSQL tool
Completely free
Web-based or desktop
Comprehensive admin features
Limitations
PostgreSQL only
Web interface can be slow
Who it's for: Essential for PostgreSQL users who want the official, free tool with comprehensive database administration features.
MongoDB Compass is the official GUI for MongoDB, making it easy to explore data, run queries, and optimize performance without writing JSON queries. The visual aggregation pipeline builder is particularly useful for complex data transformations. It also includes schema analysis, real-time server stats, and explain plan visualization.
Starting priceFree
Strengths
Official MongoDB tool
Visual aggregation builder
Schema analysis
Free to use
Limitations
MongoDB only
Large datasets can be slow
Who it's for: Essential for MongoDB developers who want visual data exploration and aggregation pipeline building.
Our team tested each database tool with real development workflows. Here's what we measured:
Query Editor (25%) — Auto-complete, syntax highlighting, and query building.
Database Support (20%) — Number of databases supported and quality of drivers.
Performance (20%) — Speed with large datasets and responsiveness.
User Interface (20%) — Design quality and ease of navigation.
Value for Money (15%) — Features relative to price point.
How to Choose
Choose DataGrip if you need Best SQL intelligence.
Choose TablePlus if you need Beautiful native app.
Choose DBeaver if you need Free with max compatibility.
Choose pgAdmin if you need PostgreSQL only.
Choose MongoDB Compass if you need MongoDB only.
Common Questions
DBeaver Community Edition is the best free option for SQL databases with support for 100+ databases. For PostgreSQL specifically, pgAdmin is excellent, and MongoDB Compass is best for MongoDB.
DataGrip offers superior SQL intelligence and a more polished experience, but requires a subscription. DBeaver is free, supports more databases, and is excellent for most use cases. Try both to see which fits your workflow.
While you can use command-line tools, GUIs make data exploration, query writing, and schema visualization much faster. They're especially valuable when learning SQL or exploring unfamiliar databases.
DataGrip and DBeaver both excel at multi-database environments. DataGrip offers better intelligence, while DBeaver supports more databases and is free.
