For a free, cross-platform replacement that also runs on Intel Macs, start with DBeaver Community (Apache 2.0, many engines, ER diagrams). If you only use MySQL, Oracle's own MySQL Workbench is free, but it targets MySQL 8.4 LTS and later and does not document MariaDB. For a MySQL or MariaDB client on a Mac, Sequel Ace is free and runs on Intel and Apple silicon. If you want a full SQL IDE, DataGrip is free for non-commercial use. If you just need something in a browser, Adminer and phpMyAdmin are free. Paid native-style clients include TablePlus and Navicat.
HeidiSQL is a free, GPL-licensed client for MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite and a few other engines (see our HeidiSQL review). It is a capable everyday tool, and many people never need anything else. These are the reasons, from its own website and download page, that lead people to look elsewhere:
- Windows heritage. HeidiSQL was a Windows application for most of its life. According to its website, the Windows version is built with Delphi and the Linux and macOS versions with Lazarus, so the non-Windows builds come from a different toolchain. Version 12.21 (3 August 2026) offers Linux packages (DEB, RPM, Flatpak and tarballs) and a macOS ARM64 app bundle only, so Intel Macs are not covered. The v13 preview on the download page is for Windows.
- The engine list. The website lists MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL and Redshift. There is no Oracle, no MongoDB or Redis, and no cloud warehouse such as Snowflake or BigQuery.
- Feature scope. ER diagrams, schema comparison and a visual query builder do not appear on its feature list, and SQL Server administration (for example Agent jobs) is not described.
- The download page. On 7 October 2026 the download page still said: "Please disable your adblocker and reload the page to enable HeidiSQL downloads." Some users and company networks cannot or will not do that; package managers (winget, Chocolatey, Flatpak) are a way round it.
For head-to-head pages, see DBeaver vs HeidiSQL, HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench, TablePlus vs HeidiSQL and Navicat vs HeidiSQL.
Quick picks
Apache 2.0, runs on Windows, Linux and both Intel and Apple silicon Macs, with many engines and read-only ER diagrams.
Free from Oracle, with administration, Performance Reports and Visual Explain for MySQL 8.4 LTS and later.
Free and MIT-licensed, for MySQL and MariaDB on Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
Code analysis, refactoring, diagrams and schema compare; free for non-commercial use.
One PHP file covering MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MS SQL and Oracle, under Apache or GPL 2.
How we chose
Considered: DBeaver Community, MySQL Workbench, DataGrip, Beekeeper Studio, TablePlus, Navicat Premium, DbGate, DbVisualizer, Sequel Ace, Adminer, phpMyAdmin and SQLyog.
Inclusion criteria: currently maintained; able to do HeidiSQL's everyday job for MariaDB or MySQL (browse and edit data, run queries, edit tables); and addresses at least one of the reasons above, verified on the vendor's own pages. SQLyog is still sold by Webyog (an Idera company), but we could not confirm its current version or supported platforms on its product page, so it is left out. DbVisualizer is covered in its own alternatives guide; its Free edition has no table data editor, which rules it out as a like-for-like HeidiSQL replacement.
What was checked, not tested: download, editions, pricing and documentation pages on 7 October 2026. The order is not a ranking: free cross-platform desktop tools first, then paid desktop tools, then Mac-only and web tools.
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Platforms | Databases | Fixes which HeidiSQL issue | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBeaver Community | Freemium | Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple silicon), Linux | Many relational; NoSQL in PRO | Intel Macs; more engines; ER diagrams | Java-based; compare and NoSQL paid |
| MySQL Workbench | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | MySQL 8.4 LTS and later | Official MySQL administration and explain | MySQL only; rebuild still filling gaps |
| DataGrip | Paid (free non-commercial) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Many relational and NoSQL | Oracle, NoSQL, diagrams, schema compare | Commercial use is a subscription |
| Beekeeper Studio | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, Redis and more (free) | Cross-platform free client | Import/export and result editing paid |
| TablePlus | Freemium | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, Redis and more | Native-style Mac client | Free version capped at 2 tabs |
| Navicat Premium | Paid (free Lite) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Many relational and NoSQL | Modelling, sync, automation | Higher cost; features split by edition |
| DbGate | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux, web | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB, Redis and more | NoSQL and Oracle in a free client | Compare and AI tools paid |
| Sequel Ace | Free (MIT) | macOS (Intel and Apple silicon) | MySQL, MariaDB | Intel Mac support | Mac only; MySQL and MariaDB only |
| Adminer | Free | Web (PHP) | MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MS SQL, Oracle | Nothing to install on the desktop | Runs on a web server you must secure |
| phpMyAdmin | Free | Web (PHP) | MySQL, MariaDB | Often already installed by the host | MySQL and MariaDB only |
DBeaver Community
DBeaver Community 26.2.2 is open source under Apache 2.0 and connects to a long list of relational databases, including Oracle, which HeidiSQL does not list. It has a data editor, SQL editor, data transfer and export wizards, read-only ER diagrams and a Simple Structure Compare, and it runs on Windows, Linux and macOS on both Intel and Apple silicon, which fixes HeidiSQL's Intel Mac gap.
NoSQL databases, ER diagram edit mode, full schema and data compare and Git integration need a paid edition (Lite, Enterprise or Ultimate). See DBeaver vs HeidiSQL.
- Java-based; the vendor documents memory settings for large result sets.
- A larger, busier interface than HeidiSQL (editorial).
- MongoDB and Redis need a paid edition.
MySQL Workbench
MySQL Workbench 26.7.0 (July 2026) is a rebuild on MySQL Shell. Oracle's product page lists a Script Editor and SQL Notebooks, administration screens for server status, users and grants, Performance Reports, and Visual Explain and Visual Explain Analyze, which go beyond HeidiSQL's process list and query editor. Oracle says it supports MySQL 8.4 LTS and later; earlier Workbench releases are end of life.
See HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench. Many MySQL users keep both installed.
- MySQL only; MariaDB is not documented as supported.
- MySQL 8.0 is not officially supported by Workbench 26.
- EER modelling and the Migration Wizard are not on the current product page; confirm before relying on them.
DataGrip
DataGrip covers the features HeidiSQL leaves out: database diagrams with export, structure comparison that generates a migration script, and SQL refactoring and inspections. It supports many relational and NoSQL databases, including Oracle and MongoDB.
DataGrip has been free for non-commercial use since 1 October 2025 (an annual, renewable licence that needs online activation and anonymised usage statistics). Commercial use needs a subscription after a 30-day trial.
- Commercial use is a paid subscription, unlike HeidiSQL.
- JetBrains lists 8 GB of RAM in its system requirements.
- A full IDE takes longer to learn than HeidiSQL (editorial).
Beekeeper Studio
Beekeeper Studio is a focused SQL editor and database manager with the same features on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its Community edition is GPLv3 and includes PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, Redshift and Redis, which covers most of HeidiSQL's engines.
According to its pricing page, import and export, backup and restore, and direct editing of query results are in the paid plans (Indie and above), as are engines such as Oracle, MongoDB, DuckDB, ClickHouse, Cassandra and CockroachDB. See Beekeeper Studio vs DBeaver.
- The Community edition is meant for individuals, students, non-profits and businesses with fewer than 10 employees or under USD 1M revenue.
- Import/export and query-result editing, which HeidiSQL includes free, need a paid plan.
TablePlus
TablePlus is a compact commercial client that its vendor describes as native, for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, Redis and other engines, on macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS. Licences are perpetual per device with one year of updates.
The free version is limited to 2 tabs, 2 windows and 2 filters at a time, so treat it as an extended trial. See TablePlus vs HeidiSQL.
- The free version is too restricted for daily use; a licence is needed.
- Licences are tied to devices.
- No ER diagram or schema comparison feature in its documentation.
DbGate
DbGate Community is GPL-3.0 and covers MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle, MongoDB, Redis, ClickHouse, DuckDB and others, filling the gaps in HeidiSQL's engine list. It runs as a desktop application or as a web application in Docker; version 7.3.1 (24 September 2026) added built-in MySQL and MariaDB backup and restore.
Its pricing page lists schema comparison, data compare, AI tools and advanced import/export as Premium features.
- Compare and some import/export features are Premium only.
- A smaller vendor than DBeaver or JetBrains (editorial).
Sequel Ace
Sequel Ace, the successor to Sequel Pro, is free and MIT-licensed, supports MySQL 5.7 and later and MariaDB 10.0 and later, and runs on Intel and Apple silicon Macs with macOS 13.5 or later. Version 6.0.1 was released in September 2026. For a HeidiSQL user who moves to an Intel Mac, it is the most direct free replacement for MySQL and MariaDB work. See the best database tools for Mac.
- MySQL and MariaDB only.
- Mac only, maintained by an open source community rather than a vendor.
Adminer
Adminer is "database management in a single PHP file". Version 6.1.1 (25 September 2026) supports MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MS SQL and Oracle out of the box, with plugins for others such as MongoDB, Redis, Firebird and ClickHouse. It is free for commercial and non-commercial use under the Apache License or GPL 2.
- You must host it on a web server and protect it; a database admin page exposed to the internet is a risk (editorial).
- A browser tool, with less editing comfort than a desktop client.
phpMyAdmin
phpMyAdmin is the long-standing free web tool for MySQL and MariaDB administration and is bundled with many hosting control panels and with XAMPP. Its latest release on 7 October 2026 was still 5.2.3 (October 2025).
- MySQL and MariaDB only.
- No release in the 12 months to October 2026.
- Same hosting and security considerations as any web admin tool.
When to stay with HeidiSQL
Stay if you work mainly with MariaDB or MySQL on Windows or Linux, or on an Apple silicon Mac, and your work is browsing and editing data, writing queries, editing tables and routines, exporting between servers and managing users. HeidiSQL does all of that free, with no paid tier, and several alternatives above charge for features it includes, such as data export or editing query results. If the ad-blocker request is the only problem, install it with winget, Chocolatey or Flatpak instead.
Move if you are on an Intel Mac (DBeaver, Sequel Ace, TablePlus), need Oracle, MongoDB or Redis (DBeaver PRO, DataGrip, DbGate, Navicat), need ER diagrams or schema compare (DataGrip, DBeaver, Navicat), or want Oracle's own MySQL administration and explain tools (MySQL Workbench).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to HeidiSQL?
For most people, DBeaver Community: it is free under Apache 2.0, runs on Windows, Linux and Intel and Apple silicon Macs, and supports more engines. For MySQL only, MySQL Workbench is also free.
Does HeidiSQL run on a Mac?
Yes, but only on Apple silicon. Version 12.21 offers an ARM64 app bundle for macOS; there is no Intel Mac build. On an Intel Mac, look at DBeaver, Sequel Ace or TablePlus.
Why does the HeidiSQL download page ask me to disable my ad blocker?
On 7 October 2026 the download page said "Please disable your adblocker and reload the page to enable HeidiSQL downloads." The page does not give a reason. You can install it through winget or Chocolatey on Windows, or Flatpak on Linux, instead.
Does HeidiSQL support Oracle or MongoDB?
No. Its website lists MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL and Redshift. DBeaver supports Oracle free; DbGate, DataGrip and Navicat cover Oracle and MongoDB.
Is MySQL Workbench better than HeidiSQL?
For MySQL administration and query analysis, Workbench has more (Performance Reports, Visual Explain). For multi-engine data editing, and for MariaDB, HeidiSQL fits better. See HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench.
Sources
- HeidiSQL website (features, supported databases, toolchains)
- HeidiSQL downloads (12.21 builds, ad-blocker notice, v13 preview)
- DBeaver Community download page
- DBeaver editions
- MySQL Workbench product page
- DataGrip is now free for non-commercial use (JetBrains blog)
- Beekeeper Studio pricing
- TablePlus documentation: Licensing
- Navicat Premium feature matrix
- DbGate repository and releases
- DbGate pricing
- Sequel Ace repository
- Adminer
- phpMyAdmin downloads
Checked October 2026.
How we research these guides: our editorial method.