database client · Ansgar Becker

HeidiSQL

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

66/100

#9 of 12 database clients
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

HeidiSQL is free and open source, with builds for Windows, Linux and macOS¹.
The home page names MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL and Redshift¹.
Version 12.21 was released on 3 August 2026².
Source code is public on GitHub under GPL-2.0³.
Connections can go through an SSH tunnel, and table rows export to CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, JSON and more¹.

HeidiSQL suits developers who want a no-cost client for MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server or SQLite¹. It is open source, runs on three systems and was updated in August 2026^1,2,3. The catch: it lists no Oracle, MongoDB or Redis support, and its published pages do not mention a query plan viewer, ER diagrams, schema compare or an AI assistant^1,4.

Best for: Developers who want a free desktop client for MySQL-family and a few other engines.

Where the points come from

Systems6 of 6

Databases12 of 27

Connections and trust17 of 17

Tools10 of 29

Price21 of 21

Systems 6 of 6 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Other systems	macOS, LinuxThe download page offers a macOS arm64 app bundle and several Linux packages next to the Windows builds².	6 / 6

Databases 12 of 27 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Main SQL engines	PostgreSQL, MySQL or MariaDB, SQL Server, SQLiteHome page lists MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite; Oracle is not named¹.	12 / 15
NoSQL and cloud engines	NoneSupported-database list names none of MongoDB, Redis, BigQuery or Snowflake; Redshift does not count here¹.	0 / 8
JDBC or ODBC drivers	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's home page or help page^1,4.	0 / 4

Connections and trust 17 of 17 points

Rule	What is published	Points
SSH tunnel	YesHome page lists connecting via SSH tunnel; the help page has an SSH tunnel section^1,4.	8 / 8
Open-source apps	YesRepository is licensed GPL-2.0³.	6 / 6
Recent release	YesVersion 12.21 is dated 3 August 2026 on the download page².	3 / 3

Tools 10 of 29 points

Rule	What is published	Points
SQL code completion	YesHome page lists customizable syntax highlighting and code completion in the query editor¹.	4 / 4
Visual query builder	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's home page, help page or screenshots page^1,4,5.	0 / 3
ER diagrams	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's home page, help page or screenshots page^1,4,5.	0 / 4
Schema or data compare	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's home page, help page or screenshots page^1,4,5.	0 / 4
Import from CSV or Excel	YesHome page lists importing text files; the help page covers importing CSV files into a table^1,4.	4 / 4
Export formats	CSV, JSONHome page lists exporting table rows as CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, LaTeX, Textile, PHP, Markdown and JSON; Excel is not named¹.	2 / 3
Query plan viewer	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's home page; the help page mentions only a query profile with timings^1,4.	0 / 4
AI assistant	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's home page¹.	0 / 3

Price 21 of 21 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Free edition	YesDescribed as free, open-source software; the pages state no time or use limit¹.	6 / 6
Perpetual licence	YesThe app is entirely free¹.	5 / 5
Cheapest paid plan	$0No paid plan; the app is free¹.	10 / 10

The rule behind each line: how we score database clients.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

Plan	Price as listed	Per month	Notes
HeidiSQL1 person	Free¹	$0	Entirely free, open source

Strengths

Free and open source under GPL-2.0; the download page only asks for optional donations^1,2,3.
Builds for Windows, Linux and macOS are offered for download².
SSH tunnel, CSV import and code completion are listed^1,4.
Exports table rows to CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, JSON and other formats¹.

Limits

No Oracle, MongoDB, Redis, BigQuery or Snowflake on the supported-database list¹.
The vendor's pages do not mention a visual query builder, ER diagrams or schema compare^1,4,5.
The vendor's pages do not mention an AI assistant¹.
The repository accepts pull requests only for bug fixes, not new features³.

Other database clients

1
DBeaverDevelopers and analysts who work with many database engines
91/100
$113/yrcheapest paid plan
2
DbVisualizerDevelopers who connect to many engines and want a free edition for basic work
84/100
$199/yrcheapest paid plan
3
Beekeeper StudioDevelopers who want a multi-engine client with a free open-source edition
81/100
$108/yrcheapest paid plan
4
DataGripDevelopers who write a lot of SQL and want an IDE-style editor
81/100
$121.93/yrcheapest paid plan

All 12 database clients

Sources

HeidiSQL - MariaDB/MySQL, MSSQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite and Interbase/Firebird made easy, HeidiSQL. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Download HeidiSQL, HeidiSQL. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
HeidiSQL/HeidiSQL, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
HeidiSQL help, HeidiSQL. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
HeidiSQL screenshots, HeidiSQL. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.heidisql.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Ansgar Becker.