For a free IDE that works across many relational databases on Windows, macOS and Linux, start with DBeaver Community. If you write a lot of SQL and want the deepest code assistance, DataGrip is the stronger editor, and it is now free for non-commercial use. If you already work in Visual Studio Code, Microsoft's MSSQL and PostgreSQL extensions turn it into a capable SQL editor at no cost. For SQL Server work on Windows, SSMS remains the reference tool. No single IDE is right for everyone; the picks below say which assumption each one rests on.
A SQL IDE is the tool you keep open while you write queries: an editor with autocomplete, a way to run statements and read the results, a schema browser, and ideally help with execution plans, formatting and version control. This page is about that daily writing-and-running job. If your main need is administering servers (users, backups, jobs, monitoring), see our best database management tools guide instead, and if budget is the deciding factor, see best free database management tools.
One status change matters for this list: Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio on 28 February 2026, and it no longer receives updates or security fixes. Microsoft directs users to Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension, so Azure Data Studio is not recommended here. Our Azure Data Studio page covers the retirement.
Quick picks
Open source Community Edition (Apache licence) on Windows, macOS and Linux, with a SQL editor, data editor and ER diagrams for many relational databases.
JetBrains documents context-aware completion, on-the-fly analysis with quick-fixes and Git integration. Free for non-commercial use; a subscription for work.
Free Microsoft extensions add IntelliSense, object explorers, plan visualisers and schema diagrams for SQL Server and PostgreSQL inside the editor you already use.
Microsoft's free, Windows-only tool for querying, tuning and administering SQL Server and Azure SQL in one place.
The GPLv3 Community Edition is aimed at students, individuals, non-profits and small businesses, with unlimited connections, queries and tabs.
How we chose
Considered: DBeaver, DataGrip, Visual Studio Code with Microsoft's MSSQL and PostgreSQL extensions, SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), TablePlus, DbVisualizer, Beekeeper Studio, HeidiSQL, dbForge Studio, Navicat, Toad, MySQL Workbench, pgAdmin, DbGate and Azure Data Studio.
Inclusion criteria: the product is currently maintained (a release or documentation update in 2026), its SQL editor offers autocomplete or IntelliSense and a results grid, it runs on at least one desktop operating system, and its current features and licence terms could be confirmed on the vendor's own pages. Tools whose main purpose is server administration (pgAdmin, MySQL Workbench, Navicat, Toad) are covered in the management tools guide rather than here; Azure Data Studio was excluded because it is retired.
What was checked (no product was installed or run): editions, licences, platforms, database support and documented editor features, as published by each vendor on 7 October 2026. We did not install and time these tools. The order is not a ranking. Multi-database IDEs come first, then single-ecosystem tools. We considered a "best for data analysts" pick but could not support one from vendor documentation alone, so it is left out.
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Platforms | Databases | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBeaver | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux | Many relational databases; NoSQL in PRO | One free tool for many databases | NoSQL and cloud connectivity need a paid PRO edition |
| DataGrip | Paid (free for non-commercial use) | Windows, macOS, Linux | 25+ per JetBrains, incl. MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake | Developers who write a lot of SQL | Commercial use needs a subscription; free licence sends telemetry |
| VS Code with MSSQL and PostgreSQL extensions | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | SQL Server family and PostgreSQL | Developers already in VS Code | No Microsoft MySQL extension yet; SQL Agent jobs still need SSMS |
| SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) | Free | Windows only | SQL Server, Azure SQL, Fabric SQL | SQL Server developers and DBAs | Windows only; one database family |
| TablePlus | Freemium | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle and more | A native, uncluttered client | Free version limited to 2 tabs, 2 windows and 2 advanced filters |
| DbVisualizer | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux | Many databases via JDBC | A long-established JDBC-based client | Free edition lacks the data editor, import/export and explain plan |
| Beekeeper Studio | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux | PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, SQL Server and more | Individuals and small teams | Community Edition eligibility is limited; ER diagrams and import/export are paid |
| HeidiSQL | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite and more | MySQL and MariaDB users who want a free client | No Oracle or document-database support |
| dbForge Studio | Paid (free Express edition for SQL Server) | Windows (macOS, Linux via CrossOver) | SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, PostgreSQL | Windows teams wanting deep tooling per engine | Windows-native; refactoring and debugging are in paid editions |
DBeaver
DBeaver Community is free and open source under the Apache licence and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. The project lists a SQL editor, a data editor for viewing and changing rows, entity-relationship diagrams, data transfer, task management and an AI chat feature. It connects to MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite and many other relational databases from one application, which is why it is a common default for people who work across several engines.
The commercial DBeaver PRO editions add NoSQL databases such as MongoDB, Cassandra and Redis, cloud database connectivity and vendor support. The project released version 26.2.2 on 5 October 2026, so it is actively maintained. Compare it with its closest paid rival in DBeaver vs DataGrip.
- NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis) and cloud-specific connectivity need a paid PRO edition.
- The PRO line is split into several editions (Lite, Enterprise, Ultimate, Team), and the entry Lite edition excludes development tools, so check the edition before buying.
- In our view the interface exposes a lot of options, which can feel heavy if you only want to run a few queries.
DataGrip
DataGrip is JetBrains' database IDE. JetBrains documents context-sensitive code completion, on-the-fly analysis with quick-fixes, a query console with local history, schema- and context-aware AI assistance, import and export in formats including CSV, JSON and Excel, and integration with Git, SVN and Mercurial. It lists support for more than 25 databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake, BigQuery and ClickHouse, and runs on Windows 10 and 11, current macOS and major Linux distributions.
Since October 2025 DataGrip has been free for non-commercial use: learning, hobby projects, open source work without commercial benefit, and content creation. JetBrains states the free licence includes all features of the commercial version. Paid work needs an individual or organisation subscription. See DataGrip vs TablePlus for a lighter alternative.
- Any commercial use requires a paid subscription; there is no free tier for work.
- The free non-commercial licence requires sending anonymised usage statistics, and JetBrains states it is not possible to opt out.
- It is built for writing SQL rather than running servers: JetBrains' feature list centres on coding, not on tasks such as scheduled backups or SQL Server Agent jobs.
VS Code with MSSQL and PostgreSQL extensions
Microsoft's MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code supports SQL Server, Azure SQL and SQL database in Fabric. Microsoft lists as generally available: Object Explorer, a query results pane with export, a query plan visualiser, a table designer, a schema designer, schema compare, inline data editing, backup and restore, a query profiler, SQL notebooks, a T-SQL formatter and GitHub Copilot integration. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux (x64 and Arm64).
Microsoft's separate PostgreSQL extension connects to local, on-premises and cloud PostgreSQL servers and adds IntelliSense, an object explorer, query history, a plan visualiser, a schema diagram and a server dashboard. Together they are Microsoft's stated replacement for Azure Data Studio. Details are in our VS Code mssql review.
- The MSSQL extension covers the SQL Server family only; Microsoft lists its MySQL extension as pending announcement.
- Microsoft still points to SSMS for SQL Server Agent jobs and full administration.
- Some features rely on GitHub Copilot, which is a separate service with its own terms.
Read our VS Code with MSSQL and PostgreSQL extensions review · Official site
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
SSMS is Microsoft's integrated environment for SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL database in Fabric. Microsoft's FAQ describes it as free for personal or enterprise use. For day-to-day query work it offers a query editor with IntelliSense and snippets, execution plans, results as grid, text or CSV, and Git integration and GitHub Copilot as optional components installed through the Visual Studio Installer. The current release is SSMS 22 (22.10.2, released 28 September 2026).
If SQL Server is your only database, SSMS covers both writing queries and administering the server, which is why it also appears in our SQL Server GUI tools guide.
- Windows only; Microsoft states it does not run on macOS.
- Works only with the SQL Server family of databases.
- Microsoft does not support third-party extensions, and system requirements list 4 GB to 50 GB of disk space depending on components.
Read our SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) review · Official site
TablePlus
TablePlus describes itself as a native GUI for relational databases, with apps for macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS. It lists MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, Amazon Redshift, MariaDB, CockroachDB, Vertica, Redis, MongoDB, Oracle, Cassandra, BigQuery, ClickHouse and Turso. It is aimed at people who want a lighter client than a full IDE.
Paid licences are per device and include one year of updates, after which the licence keeps working for the versions you already have. See DBeaver vs TablePlus.
- The free version is limited to 2 open tabs, 2 open windows and 2 advanced filters at a time, and filters are not available in the free Windows version.
- A licence includes one year of updates; the vendor states you keep using it after that, but later updates are not included.
- It is designed as a lightweight client, so it has less built-in tooling for refactoring or code analysis than a full IDE such as DataGrip.
DbVisualizer
DbVisualizer is a cross-platform database client that connects through JDBC drivers. Its feature pages describe SQL autocomplete, a visual query builder, inline data editing, export, version control integration, a command-line interface and an AI assistant. The Free edition is free for commercial and non-commercial use; the Pro edition is a per-user annual subscription that includes a perpetual licence for versions released during the term.
- Many everyday features are Pro only, including the table data viewer and editor, table import and export, the query builder and explain plan.
- Charts, the command-line interface and database job scheduling are also Pro only.
- We have no review page for it yet, so check the vendor's edition comparison before deciding.
Beekeeper Studio
Beekeeper Studio is an open source SQL editor and database manager. The vendor documents autocomplete for table and column names, multiple tabs, saved queries organised in folders, inline editing of results and SSH tunnelling. The Community Edition is GPLv3 and supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, Redshift, TiDB, BigQuery, Redis and GreengageDB; inline editing of query results needs a paid plan, while table data can be edited in Community. Version 6.1.5 was released on 5 October 2026.
Paid tiers (Indie, Professional, Business) add databases such as Oracle, MongoDB, DuckDB, ClickHouse, CockroachDB and Cassandra (Snowflake is Business only), plus features listed below.
- The vendor states the Community Edition is intended for students, individuals, non-profits and businesses with fewer than 10 employees and/or under 1 million US dollars annual revenue; larger organisations are expected to buy a licence.
- Entity-relationship diagrams, import/export, backup/restore, query result editing and the AI SQL shell are paid features.
- Oracle, MongoDB, DuckDB, ClickHouse, Cassandra and CockroachDB need a paid tier.
HeidiSQL
HeidiSQL is free, open source software that supports MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL and Redshift. It began as a Windows tool, and the project now publishes Linux packages (DEB, RPM, Flatpak) and an Apple Silicon macOS build alongside the Windows installer and portable version. Version 12.21 was released on 3 August 2026, and a version 13 preview is available.
It suits people who mainly work with MySQL or MariaDB and want a free editor and data browser. See HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench and DBeaver vs HeidiSQL.
- No Oracle support and no document databases such as MongoDB.
- The Windows build is compiled with Delphi and the Linux and macOS builds with Lazarus, so the non-Windows versions come from a different toolchain and may behave differently.
- The macOS download is an ARM64 build, so check compatibility on older Intel Macs.
dbForge Studio
Devart sells dbForge Studio as separate products for SQL Server, MySQL and MariaDB, Oracle and PostgreSQL, and as the dbForge Edge bundle covering all of them. For SQL Server, Devart lists a free Express edition and paid Standard, Professional and Enterprise editions. Express includes code completion and formatting, a visual query builder, a data editor, database diagrams, backup and restore, and import and export.
The paid editions add SQL refactoring, snippets, a T-SQL code analyser, a debugger and profiler, data generation, source control and command-line automation. Devart documents that the Studio is a Windows application that can run on macOS and Linux through the CrossOver compatibility layer.
- Windows-native: on macOS and Linux it needs CrossOver, a commercial compatibility product.
- Each database engine is a separate Studio unless you buy the Edge bundle.
- Refactoring, debugging, source control and data generation are not in the free Express edition.
How to choose
Start from your databases. If you only use SQL Server, SSMS (on Windows) or VS Code with the MSSQL extension (anywhere) cover the job at no cost. If you only use PostgreSQL, compare these with pgAdmin in our PostgreSQL GUI tools guide; for MySQL, see MySQL GUI tools. If you work across several engines, a multi-database IDE (DBeaver, DataGrip, TablePlus, DbVisualizer, Beekeeper Studio) saves switching tools.
Then check the licence against how you will use it. DataGrip's free licence excludes commercial work, and Beekeeper Studio's Community Edition is aimed at individuals and small businesses. DBeaver Community, SSMS, HeidiSQL and the VS Code extensions carry no such restriction. Finally, decide how much code assistance you need. If refactoring, inspections and version control matter, DataGrip or a paid dbForge edition go further; if you mostly browse data and run ad hoc queries, a lighter client is enough.
When none of these fit: if most of your work is server administration rather than writing SQL, use the management tools guide. If you are learning SQL and do not want to install anything yet, our SQL exercises show the schema and expected results in the browser.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a SQL IDE and a database management tool?
A SQL IDE is built around writing and running queries: autocomplete, formatting, results, plans and version control. A database management tool is built around running the server: users and permissions, backups, jobs and monitoring. Many products do both to some degree. See our best database management tools guide for the administration side.
Which SQL IDE is free for commercial use?
DBeaver Community (Apache licence), SSMS (Microsoft states it is free for personal or enterprise use), HeidiSQL and Microsoft's VS Code extensions are free to use at work. DataGrip is free only for non-commercial use. Full details are in our free database tools guide.
What replaced Azure Data Studio?
Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio on 28 February 2026. Microsoft recommends Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension for SQL development, the PostgreSQL extension for PostgreSQL, and SSMS for SQL Server Agent jobs and full administration. See SSMS vs Azure Data Studio.
Is DataGrip worth paying for over DBeaver?
It depends on how much SQL you write. DataGrip documents deeper code analysis, quick-fixes and refactoring; DBeaver Community is free for any use and covers many databases. Our DBeaver vs DataGrip comparison sets out the differences.
Can I use VS Code as a SQL IDE for MySQL?
Microsoft does not yet publish a MySQL extension; its retirement notes list one as pending announcement. Third-party extensions exist, but we have not reviewed them. For MySQL today, DBeaver, DataGrip, HeidiSQL, TablePlus or MySQL Workbench are the documented options.
Sources
- DBeaver Community (dbeaver.io)
- DBeaver PRO editions
- DataGrip product page (JetBrains)
- DataGrip is now free for non-commercial use (JetBrains blog)
- DataGrip installation guide and system requirements
- MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code (Microsoft Learn)
- PostgreSQL extension for Visual Studio Code (Microsoft Learn)
- What is happening with Azure Data Studio (Microsoft Learn)
- SSMS FAQ (Microsoft Learn)
- SSMS release notes (Microsoft Learn)
- SSMS system requirements (Microsoft Learn)
- TablePlus pricing
- DbVisualizer editions
- Beekeeper Studio pricing
- Beekeeper Studio Community Edition
- HeidiSQL download page
- dbForge Studio for SQL Server editions (Devart)
- Running dbForge Studio on Linux and macOS (Devart docs)
Checked October 2026.
How we research these guides: our editorial method.