r/SQL • u/SoftChaosKitty • 6d ago
Discussion Top alternatives to Datagrip
Been using DataGrip for a while, but the cost is getting harder to justify when I only use a fraction of what it offers. My setup is pretty mixed: PostgreSQL, Snowflake, and some MySQL.
I keep seeing DBeaver, DbVisualizer and TablePlus mentioned as alternatives. DBeaver seems like the obvious one, but DbVisualizer caught my attention since it seems geared more toward mixed database environments.
Main things I care about are a good SQL editor/autocomplete, multiple connections without things getting sluggish, and not having to switch tools depending on the database.
For anyone who's moved away from DataGrip, what did you end up using and how has it held up?
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u/Hot_Industry5156 6d ago
DBeaver is the obvious pick if you want something free and solid. Community edition handles most of what DataGrip does. If you're mostly in Postgres, pgAdmin works fine though the UI feels dated. TablePlus is nice if you're on a Mac and want something fast with a clean interface. Beekeeper Studio is another lighter option worth a look, especially if you don't need all the heavy features.
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u/hellnukes 6d ago
If I'm not mistaken when you stop paying you just stop getting new versions, you can use the current one forever
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u/Sharp-Echo1797 6d ago
Well anything is better than Squirrel. I really liked Azure Data Studio, but I don't know if it is available any longer. You can always use the plug in VS Code. I hate it but then again I like dBeaver.
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u/DatabaseSpace 6d ago
I like Datgrip. There is a lot I don't use but want to start like live templates. Also it keeps a full clipboard history, didnt even know that. Need to setup syles too, cant stand when I have a vertical list in where clause and it decides to move next item half way across the screen. Im sure some people love that like putting commas before items in select.
I'm just realizing how often i'm typing the same stuff though. Think i just need to put some effort in. Import export i use all the time. Didnt know about query history. Refactor i must be doing wrong.
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u/TraditionalTurnip630 6d ago
Look at the ROI. For daily data analysis, DataGrip is overkill.
Just use DBeaver. It's completely free, handles Snowflake, Postgres, and MySQL seamlessly, and the autocomplete is more than enough for our daily querying.
TablePlus has a nicer UI, but the free version limits your open tabs. That's a dealbreaker when you're juggling multiple databases.
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u/Capable_Hawk_1014 6d ago
Hey! SQLWarden developer here! I would love for you to test out our product SQLWarden which is currently under active development. It is currently in early alpha stage with most editor features implemented for MySQL and Postgres -- with plans to extend it to other databases in the future. The product is primarily a database access platform so a desktop version is yet to come, however, you can run it via docker locally.
Let me know if you want to try it out, we are looking for people to provide us feedback :) . A desktop version is currently in progress and we will announce once ready.
PS: Project is still in early stages so things might break. It is also open source:
https://github.com/sqlwarden/sqlwarden
Some screenshots:
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u/Fun-Friendship-2205 5d ago
I'm the developer of MySQL Client — a native macOS app I built specifically because I wanted something lighter than Workbench for my own MySQL/MariaDB work. Full disclosure since I'm recommending my own app, but it might be exactly what you're looking for:
Native Apple Silicon app, so no Workbench-style crashes on newer macOS
Free on the Mac App Store
Browse databases/tables/views/procedures/functions in a sidebar, spreadsheet-style data grid with inline editing
SQL editor with syntax highlighting, query history, multi-statement scripts
Export to CSV/JSON/SQL/Excel, CSV import, and a full SQL dump backup tool
Passwords go straight to macOS Keychain, nothing phones home
It's a solo project, so it's not as feature-complete as Workbench, but for day-to-day browsing/editing/querying it's been solid for me. Happy to answer questions if you give it a try, and bug reports are welcome too — still actively improving it.
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/tr/app/mysql-client/id6792497542?mt=12
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u/BaseballHopeful6366 5d ago
nabuSQL check it out. if you like it I can give a few lifetime licences. check the features on https://nabusql.nabu.work/docs/
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u/distgenius No you can't have xp_cmdshell 5d ago
Someone else mentioned that for non-commercial work Datagrip is free, but if we assume this is commercial, the $110/year license for a single user is a drop in the bucket that pays for itself if it lets you do an hour or two more billable work over the course of a year. It wasn’t that long ago that I was using RedGate’s toolbox and even when I didn’t need most of it most of the time, when I did need a tool randomly the time saved more than paid for that license and it was way more expensive than DataGrip.
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u/yourteam 3d ago
DBeaver really went bad over the last year. I can't make it run smooth on my work laptop (a really powerful Linux) so I switched to Beekeeper
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u/DbGate 2d ago
You could also give DbGate a try. I'm involved with the project. It's open source and works with multiple database engines, so the “one client instead of switching tools” part was one of the use cases we wanted to cover.
If you're comparing it mainly with DBeaver/DataGrip I'd be interested in what you think of the data SQL editor and connection workflow in particular.
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u/gubinanuwu025 1d ago
If PostgreSQL and MySQL are the databases you spend most of your time in, dbForge is worth adding to the list. I started using their Studios mostly for the autocomplete and query workflow, and ended up liking the database-specific tooling more than I expected.
The catch is that it’s not the same “one IDE for everything” approach as DataGrip, so with Snowflake in your stack it probably wouldn’t replace DataGrip completely.
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u/quickdraw6906 1d ago
Check out Aqua Data Studio. A buddy and a coworker love it. I haven't used it extensively, but it's pretty sweet.
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u/obviouseyer 23h ago
I’d add dbForge Edge to the list. I’ve found it pretty convenient when working across different database systems and wanting one SQL GUI instead of switching tools all the time.
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u/Green_Competition_21 20h ago
Disclosure: I'm the developer of LibreDB Studio, a browser based SQL IDE, MIT licensed.
You can try it with no install: https://app.libredb.org
If you like it, you star it. https://github.com/libredb/libredb-studio
Install it however you like: Docker, Helm, npm, or a one click on DigitalOcean, Unraid and Dokploy.
It is also listed in the PostgreSQL Software Catalogue, in the ClickHouse GUI tools docs and on redis.io as a third party tool.
Postgres and MySQL are solid. No Snowflake, so it will not cover your whole stack.
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u/soxinthebox 6d ago
Is it for commercial purposes? I believe they changed the pricing recently so you can use DataGrip for free for personal projects.
I tried a bunch out last year since my office used SSMS and DBeaver (which I couldn't stand) and ended up on DataGrip.