DBeaver vs HeidiSQL: Free SQL Clients Compared (2026)

Quick verdict

Short answer

Pick HeidiSQL if you mainly work with MariaDB or MySQL (or SQL Server, PostgreSQL and SQLite) on Windows and want a small, direct tool for browsing, editing, exporting and managing users. Pick DBeaver if you need a wider range of databases, ER diagrams, a data transfer wizard, or a client that is equally established on Windows, macOS and Linux. Both are free, so trying both costs nothing but time.

How we know: This comparison is research-based: features, supported databases, platforms and licences were checked against DBeaver's and HeidiSQL's official websites, documentation and GitHub repositories on 7 October 2026. We have not run either product or measured performance.

DBeaver Community is a free, open source (Apache 2.0) universal database client. Its repository states that it supports any database with a JDBC or ODBC driver, and its documentation covers an SQL editor, data editor, ER diagrams, data transfer (import, export, migration), execution plans and AI chat. Paid DBeaver PRO editions add NoSQL databases and further tools. See our DBeaver review.

HeidiSQL is a free, open source client released under the GNU GPL, created in 2002 by Ansgar Becker. Its website lists support for MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase and Firebird (plus ProxySQL and Redshift). The Windows version is built with Delphi; the project now also publishes Linux and macOS builds made with Lazarus. See our HeidiSQL review.

Side by side

Aspect	DBeaver	HeidiSQL
Free version	Community edition, free and open source (Apache 2.0)	Entirely free, open source (GNU GPL); donations invited
Paid options	PRO editions (Lite, Enterprise, Ultimate, Team) on subscription	None
Windows	Yes (x86 and ARM)	Yes, installer and portable; the most established build
macOS and Linux	Yes, macOS (Apple silicon and Intel) and Linux (DEB, RPM, TAR.GZ)	Official builds exist: Linux (DEB, RPM, Flatpak, ARM64) and macOS for Apple silicon only; Linux build does not ship client libraries
Supported databases	Any JDBC or ODBC source in Community; NoSQL in PRO	MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL, Redshift
ER diagrams	Yes	Not part of the documented feature set
Import and export	Data transfer wizard for import, export and migration between databases	Export rows as CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, LaTeX, Textile, PHP, Markdown and JSON; CSV file import
User and privilege management	Database-dependent, via object editors	Built-in user manager with privileges and roles
Main trade-off	Broader and heavier; some tools only in paid editions	Narrower database list; non-Windows builds are newer and have documented constraints

Key differences

Breadth of databases

DBeaver is built around JDBC and ODBC drivers, so Community can reach a long tail of relational and analytical sources, and the PRO editions add NoSQL databases such as MongoDB and Redis. HeidiSQL supports a specific list: MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase and Firebird, plus ProxySQL and Redshift. If your database is not on that list, HeidiSQL is not an option.

Platforms: HeidiSQL is no longer Windows only

HeidiSQL has long been known as a Windows application, and the Windows build (installer or portable, also on winget and Chocolatey) remains its main release. The download page now also offers Linux packages (DEB and RPM with Qt6, other Qt and GTK builds, Flatpak and an ARM64 build) and a macOS app bundle. HeidiSQL's help page notes that the macOS version currently runs only on Apple silicon Macs, and that the Linux version does not ship the database client libraries, which you install separately.

DBeaver publishes Windows, macOS (Apple silicon and Intel) and Linux packages from one codebase. In our view, if you work across several operating systems or support colleagues on Intel Macs, DBeaver is the safer common choice.

Depth of tools

DBeaver Community documents ER diagrams, a data transfer wizard, execution plans, task management and AI chat. HeidiSQL concentrates on day-to-day server work: creating and editing tables, views, routines, triggers and events, browsing and editing data, a user manager with roles, SSH tunnels, query profiling, batch table operations and server-wide text search.

The trade-off, in our assessment, is scope versus focus: DBeaver offers more modelling and migration tooling, while HeidiSQL keeps to the tasks a MySQL or MariaDB developer does most often.

Runtime and footprint

DBeaver is a Java application, and its documentation explains how to raise the Java memory limit for large workloads. HeidiSQL is a native application compiled with Delphi on Windows and Lazarus/Free Pascal elsewhere. We have not measured memory use or start-up time for either, so we make no performance claim here.

Pricing and licensing

HeidiSQL is free software under the GNU GPL with no paid edition; the project invites donations.

DBeaver Community is free under the Apache 2.0 licence. If you later need NoSQL or the extra PRO tools, the DBeaver edition comparison page listed (USD, October 2026) Lite at $113 per year or $12 per month, Enterprise at $255 per year or $26 per month, and Ultimate at $510 per year, with a 14-day trial.

Pricing checked on the vendors' official pages on 7 October 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.

Where each one leads

DBeaver strengths

Connects to a far wider range of databases through JDBC and ODBC
ER diagrams, execution plans and a data transfer wizard in the free edition
Mature builds for Windows, macOS (Apple silicon and Intel) and Linux
Upgrade path to paid editions with NoSQL and schema compare

HeidiSQL strengths

Free with no paid tier, released under the GNU GPL
Focused on MariaDB and MySQL tasks, with a built-in user and role manager
Wide range of export formats, from SQL and CSV to Markdown and JSON
Portable Windows build that needs no installation

Limitations

DBeaver limitations

NoSQL databases and tools such as schema compare need a paid PRO edition
Java based; the vendor documents raising the memory limit for large result sets
More screens and options than a MySQL-only user may need

HeidiSQL limitations

Supports a fixed list of engines; no Oracle and no NoSQL databases
macOS build runs on Apple silicon only; the Linux build needs separately installed client libraries
No documented ER diagram or visual modelling tool
No vendor or commercial support option

When to choose each

Choose DBeaver if

You work with several database engines, including ones HeidiSQL does not support
You need ER diagrams or a wizard to move data between databases
You use an Intel Mac or want the same tool on every operating system
You may later need NoSQL support or vendor support through a paid edition

Choose HeidiSQL if

You mostly work with MariaDB or MySQL on Windows
You want a free tool with no paid tier and no upsell
You need quick data export in many formats and a simple user manager
You want a portable client you can run without installing

When neither is right

You design MySQL schemas visually and want Oracle's own modelling and administration tool: see MySQL Workbench and HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench.
You only use PostgreSQL and want its dedicated administration tool: pgAdmin.
You only use SQL Server and need full administration (Agent jobs, security, backups): SSMS.
You need a browser-based tool on a web host rather than a desktop client: phpMyAdmin.

Final recommendation

Bottom line

If your world is MariaDB or MySQL on Windows, HeidiSQL is a focused, entirely free tool that covers the everyday jobs. If you work across many engines or operating systems, or want ER diagrams and data migration tooling, DBeaver Community is the more general choice. Many developers keep both installed, which is a reasonable answer when neither costs anything.

Frequently asked questions

Does HeidiSQL run on Mac or Linux?

Yes, there are now official builds. The HeidiSQL download page offers Linux packages (DEB, RPM, Flatpak and an ARM64 build) and a macOS app bundle. According to HeidiSQL's help page, the macOS version runs only on Apple silicon Macs, and the Linux version does not ship database client libraries, so you install those separately.

Is HeidiSQL completely free?

Yes. HeidiSQL is open source under the GNU GPL and has no paid edition. The project accepts donations.

Can HeidiSQL connect to PostgreSQL and SQL Server?

Yes. HeidiSQL lists MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase and Firebird among its supported systems. It is most often associated with MariaDB and MySQL.

Is DBeaver heavier than HeidiSQL?

DBeaver is a Java application and HeidiSQL is a native one, and DBeaver documents how to raise its memory limit for large workloads. We have not measured either, so we cannot give figures; if footprint matters, try both on your own machine.

Sources

Checked October 2026.

How we research comparisons: our editorial method.