Alternatives to HeidiSQL
Light Windows client for MySQL family
HeidiSQL ranks #6 of 9 in Database GUIs, with an Alt Score of 64. It is licensed under GPL-2.0, free and available on Windows. 7 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Database administrators and developers who work with MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or SQLite and want a single desktop client instead of the command line.
A GUI for browsing and editing table data in a spreadsheet-like grid, running SQL queries with syntax highlighting, and creating or modifying tables, views, stored procedures, triggers, and scheduled events. It supports importing/exporting data (CSV, HTML, XML, JSON, and more), managing user privileges, and connecting via SSH tunnel. It's free and open source, primarily for Windows but also runs on Linux and macOS via Wine.
You connect to a database server, browse its objects in a tree view on the left, and then either edit data/structure through visual dialogs or write and execute SQL directly in the query tab.
Why people leave HeidiSQL
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How HeidiSQL compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Database GUIs checklist | HeidiSQL | Beekeeper Studio | DbGate | TablePlus | pgAdmin | DataGrip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Databases supported | ||||||
| Query editor & autocomplete | ||||||
| ER diagrams | ||||||
| Data editing safety | ||||||
| SSH tunneling | ||||||
| Import / export formats | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| One-time purchase option | ||||||
| Team sharing of connections | ||||||
| Performance on large tables |
Every fact and feature listed for HeidiSQL is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
-
License GPL-2.0 verified 2026-07-10
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HeidiSQL/HeidiSQL/master/LICENSE -
Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-10
Download your free copy of HeidiSQL here. Or download the sources.
https://www.heidisql.com/download.php -
Platforms Windows verified 2026-07-10
HeidiSQL runs fine on Windows 11 (and on Windows 7 + 8 + 10 with some minor issues).
https://www.heidisql.com/help.php -
Status active verified 2026-07-10
Download HeidiSQL v12.20, released on 22 Jun 2026
https://www.heidisql.com/download.php -
Databases supported Yes verified 2026-07-10
make sure you have some MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL server or SQLite database file to connect to.
https://www.heidisql.com/help.php -
Query editor & autocomplete Yes verified 2026-07-10
query helpers" panel, with table columns, reserved words, SQL functions etc."
On the right hand of each query tab, you have the
https://www.heidisql.com/help.php -
Data editing safety Yes verified 2026-07-10
Pressing F2 or one-long-click in a grid cell will start the editor mode. This will allow you inserting ordinary values into a row.
https://www.heidisql.com/help.php -
SSH tunneling Yes verified 2026-07-10
If your MariaDB/MySQL/PostgreSQL server is located on a remote machine which is only accessible via SSH, then you still can use HeidiSQL to connect to it.
https://www.heidisql.com/help.php -
Import / export formats Yes verified 2026-07-10
HeidiSQL can import .sql files with data rows and/or structure, .csv files with data rows and binary files for BLOBs.
https://www.heidisql.com/help.php -
Open source Yes verified 2026-07-10
HeidiSQL is OpenSource and released under GPL (GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE).
https://www.heidisql.com/help.php -
One-time purchase option No verified 2026-07-10
Donationware; free, no purchase required.
Lets you hide the donate buttons, plus you get a sponsor link from 100€+
https://www.heidisql.com/download.php
FAQ
Yes. Beekeeper Studio, DbGate and pgAdmin have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Beekeeper Studio, DbGate and pgAdmin — every license claim links its source.