For PostgreSQL administration, pgAdmin 4 is the free, open-source default, with graphical EXPLAIN, an ERD tool, backup and restore, schema diff and a debugger. If you live in an editor, Microsoft's PostgreSQL extension for VS Code adds a query plan visualiser and schema diagrams at no cost. DBeaver Community is the free choice when you also use other engines, and DataGrip the paid IDE (free for non-commercial use). Mac users who want a native client can look at Postico 2.
PostgreSQL has a rich set of features that GUI tools expose to different degrees: EXPLAIN and EXPLAIN ANALYZE plans, roles, extensions, functions written in PL/pgSQL, backup with pg_dump and so on. A general client may handle the SQL and data well but leave administration to the command line, while a PostgreSQL-specific tool such as pgAdmin covers more of the server.
For each tool below we list the PostgreSQL-relevant features the vendor documents. Where a vendor does not document something, we do not claim it. If you are still choosing an engine, see MySQL vs PostgreSQL and SQL Server vs PostgreSQL.
Quick picks
Free, PostgreSQL licence, with graphical EXPLAIN, ERD, backup and restore, schema diff and debugger.
Microsoft's extension with a query plan visualiser, schema diagrams and a psql terminal.
Apache-licensed, cross-platform, with execution plans and ER diagrams.
Explain Plan, Explain Analyse, plan diagrams and flame graphs for PostgreSQL.
How we chose
Considered: pgAdmin 4, DBeaver, DataGrip, the PostgreSQL extension for VS Code, TablePlus, Postico 2, Beekeeper Studio, Navicat for PostgreSQL, DbVisualizer and dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL.
Inclusion criteria: currently available and maintained according to the vendor; connects to PostgreSQL; offers a graphical query editor and data view; and its platforms, licence or price model and PostgreSQL features could be confirmed on official pages. Azure Data Studio, which once offered a PostgreSQL extension, was retired by Microsoft on 28 February 2026 and is not included; Microsoft points PostgreSQL users to the VS Code extension listed here.
What was checked, not tested: vendor documentation, download pages, edition and pricing pages and release information on 7 October 2026. The order is not a ranking: PostgreSQL-specific tools first, then multi-database tools, then commercial suites.
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Platforms | PostgreSQL features | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pgAdmin 4 | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, web server mode | Graphical EXPLAIN, ERD, backup/restore, schema diff, debugger | Administration | PostgreSQL only |
| PostgreSQL extension for VS Code | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Plan visualiser, schema diagram, server dashboard, psql | Developers in VS Code | Needs VS Code; Azure features prominent |
| DBeaver Community | Free (paid PRO editions) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Execution plans, ER diagrams | Several engines, free | PostgreSQL debugger is in paid editions |
| DataGrip | Paid (free non-commercial) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Explain Plan/Analyse, flame graphs | SQL-heavy development | Commercial use is paid |
| Postico 2 | Paid (free evaluation) | macOS 14+ | Table structure and function editors | Mac users | macOS only; some features locked in evaluation |
| TablePlus | Paid (limited free trial) | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS | General querying and editing | Quick editing | No PostgreSQL admin features listed |
| Beekeeper Studio | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux | General querying and editing | Simple open-source client | Community Edition aimed at small organisations |
| Navicat for PostgreSQL | Paid (free Premium Lite) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Designer, query builder, sync, backup | Commercial admin and sync | Full features cost money |
| DbVisualizer | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux | Explain plan (Pro) | Teams using many JDBC databases | Explain plan is Pro-only |
| dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL | Freemium | Windows (macOS, Linux via CrossOver) | Profiler, debugger, schema/data compare (paid) | Windows teams | Not native on macOS or Linux |
pgAdmin 4
pgAdmin is the open-source administration tool for PostgreSQL, released under the PostgreSQL licence. pgAdmin 4 v9.18 was released on 17 September 2026. It runs as a desktop application or in server (web) mode on Windows, macOS and Linux, and can be deployed as a container.
PostgreSQL features (vendor documented): a query tool with syntax highlighting, autocompletion, query history and graphical EXPLAIN; management of PostgreSQL objects with the generated SQL shown; backup and restore; schema diff; a debugger for functions and procedures; and an ERD tool. The site states PostgreSQL 14 as the oldest supported server version.
See DBeaver vs pgAdmin and pgAdmin alternatives.
- PostgreSQL only, so you need another tool for other engines.
- Schema diff is listed, but table data comparison and synchronisation are not, so data compare needs another tool.
- Older PostgreSQL versions below the stated support floor are not supported.
PostgreSQL extension for VS Code
Microsoft's PostgreSQL extension (ms-ossdata.vscode-pgsql) was announced in public preview in May 2025; its GitHub repository now describes it as generally available. It connects to local, on-premises and cloud PostgreSQL servers, not only Azure, and also runs in Cursor. Microsoft supports it on Windows, macOS and Linux (x64 and Arm64).
PostgreSQL features (vendor documented): object explorer with scripting, IntelliSense query editor and query history, a query plan visualiser for EXPLAIN output (tree, icicle, table and source views, with cost, row counts, timing and buffer metrics), a schema visualiser that draws an ER diagram, a server dashboard, a psql terminal, local PostgreSQL in Docker, Microsoft Entra ID and AWS IAM authentication, and Copilot and MCP integration. Azure Database for PostgreSQL users also get server management and Azure Monitor metrics.
- The extension is not open source; its GitHub repository is for issues and documentation only.
- Several features, such as server management and Azure Monitor metrics, apply only to Azure Database for PostgreSQL.
- No backup and restore or debugger features are listed, so administration still needs pgAdmin or command-line tools.
DBeaver Community
DBeaver Community is free and open source under the Apache licence; version 26.2.2 was current on the download page, for Windows, macOS and Linux.
PostgreSQL features (vendor documented): SQL editor with autocomplete, data editor, ER diagrams, execution plans, import and export and maintenance tasks. DBeaver's editions page lists a PostgreSQL SQL debugger in the paid Enterprise edition and above, alongside a Visual Query Builder in all PRO editions.
See DBeaver vs pgAdmin.
- The PostgreSQL debugger is not in the free Community edition.
- It is a Java application; the vendor documents memory settings for large result sets.
- As a general tool it covers less PostgreSQL server administration than pgAdmin.
DataGrip
JetBrains' DataGrip is free for non-commercial use, with a 30-day trial and subscription for commercial use. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
PostgreSQL features (vendor documented): the 2026.2 documentation covers Explain Plan and Explain Analyse, plan diagrams, raw plan view, flame graphs of total and startup cost, and copying plans in native formats for PostgreSQL. Code completion is aware of foreign keys and database objects, and Git integration is built in.
See DBeaver vs DataGrip and DataGrip vs TablePlus.
- Commercial use requires a subscription.
- JetBrains lists 8 GB of total RAM as a system requirement.
- Focused on development rather than server administration such as backup scheduling.
Postico 2
Postico 2 is a native macOS application from Egger Apps for PostgreSQL. The vendor lists first-class support for PostgreSQL, Amazon Redshift, CockroachDB and Greenplum, and limited support (SQL execution only) for some other PostgreSQL-compatible databases. An evaluation version has no time limit but disables some features; a licence unlocks them.
Features (vendor documented): multi-file SQL editor with auto-save and formatting, data entry and search, a graphical table structure editor, a function and procedure editor, and connection organisation with iCloud or Dropbox sync.
- macOS only, and macOS 14 or later for the current version.
- No explain plan visualisation, backup or role management is listed on the product page.
- Some features are disabled until you buy a licence.
TablePlus
TablePlus is a native client that connects to PostgreSQL, Redshift and CockroachDB among many other engines. It is sold as a perpetual, per-device licence with a year of updates; the free trial allows two tabs, two windows and two advanced filters.
Features (vendor documented): inline editing, advanced filters, a code review step before changes are committed, safe mode for production, SQL import and export and an editor with autocomplete. See DBeaver vs TablePlus.
- The TablePlus site does not list PostgreSQL administration features such as backup, role management or plan visualisation.
- The free trial is restricted.
Beekeeper Studio
Beekeeper Studio's Community Edition is GPLv3 open source and, according to its pricing page, includes PostgreSQL in every edition. CockroachDB requires a paid plan, as do import and export, backup and restore and editing of query results. The vendor states feature parity across macOS, Windows and Linux.
Features (vendor documented): SQL editor with autocomplete, spreadsheet-style editing, visual table creation, import and export, SSH tunnelling and SSL.
- The Community Edition is intended for individuals and organisations with fewer than 10 employees and/or under $1m revenue, per the vendor.
- No PostgreSQL-specific administration or explain plan tools are listed.
DbVisualizer
DbVisualizer (version 26.2.3 on the vendor site) ships Free and Pro in one installer, with Pro unlocked by a licence key and a 21-day Pro trial. It runs on Windows (x64 and ARM64), macOS and Linux.
PostgreSQL features (vendor documented): the Explain Plan feature supports PostgreSQL 9 and later, with graph, tree and text views and cost-based colouring, but it is only in DbVisualizer Pro. Git integration and an AI assistant are also listed.
- Explain Plan is a Pro-only feature.
- A general multi-database tool rather than a PostgreSQL administration console.
dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL
Devart's dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL has a free Express edition and paid Standard and Professional subscriptions. Devart documents support for PostgreSQL 8.4 to 18 and services such as Amazon RDS and Aurora, Azure, Google Cloud SQL and Supabase.
PostgreSQL features by edition (vendor documented): Express offers code completion, a visual data editor and import and export. Standard adds advanced formatting, a query builder, query profiler with execution plans and a debugger. Professional adds schema and data compare and sync, test data generation and reporting.
- Native on Windows only; macOS and Linux need CodeWeavers CrossOver installed first, per Devart's requirements page.
- Profiling, debugging and compare are paid features.
Read our dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL review · Official site
How to choose
You run PostgreSQL servers: keep pgAdmin 4, because it documents backup and restore, schema diff and a debugger at no cost. You write application SQL in VS Code: the Microsoft PostgreSQL extension gives you plan visualisation and diagrams without another app. You use several engines: DBeaver Community if free matters, DataGrip if you want a full IDE.
On a Mac: Postico 2 for a native PostgreSQL-only client, or TablePlus if you also connect to other engines. Commercial suites: dbForge (Windows) and Navicat if you want compare and sync tooling with vendor support.
For other engines see the best MySQL GUI tools and best SQL Server GUI tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is pgAdmin free?
Yes. pgAdmin is open source under the PostgreSQL licence and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, either as a desktop app or in server mode.
Does Microsoft have a PostgreSQL extension for VS Code?
Yes. The PostgreSQL extension (ms-ossdata.vscode-pgsql) works with any PostgreSQL server, local or cloud, and includes a query plan visualiser, schema diagrams and a psql terminal. It entered public preview in May 2025 and its GitHub repository now describes it as generally available.
What replaced Azure Data Studio for PostgreSQL?
Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio on 28 February 2026 and recommends the PostgreSQL extension for Visual Studio Code for PostgreSQL work.
Which PostgreSQL GUI shows EXPLAIN plans visually?
pgAdmin (graphical EXPLAIN), the VS Code PostgreSQL extension (query plan visualiser), DataGrip (plan diagrams and flame graphs), DBeaver (execution plans) and DbVisualizer Pro all document visual plans.
What is a good PostgreSQL client for Mac?
Postico 2 is a native macOS client for PostgreSQL; pgAdmin, DBeaver Community and the VS Code extension are free cross-platform options that also run on macOS.
Sources
- pgAdmin website
- PostgreSQL extension for VS Code (Microsoft Learn)
- vscode-pgsql repository (Microsoft, GitHub)
- What is happening with Azure Data Studio (Microsoft Learn)
- DBeaver Community download page
- DBeaver editions
- DataGrip query execution plan documentation
- Postico 2
- TablePlus pricing
- Beekeeper Studio pricing
- Navicat products
- DbVisualizer Explain Plan feature
- dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL requirements
Checked October 2026.
How we research these guides: our editorial method.