HeidiSQL suits people who want a free, compact client for everyday work on MariaDB or MySQL, with SQL Server, PostgreSQL and SQLite available from the same window. It covers browsing and editing data, writing queries, editing tables and routines, user privileges and exports between servers. It is no longer Windows only: version 12.21 has Linux packages and a macOS build, although the macOS build is for Apple silicon (ARM64) only. It is a weaker fit if you need ER diagrams, schema comparison or deep SQL Server administration, none of which appear on its feature list.
Overview
HeidiSQL is an open source database client created by Ansgar Becker. Its website describes it as "free software for people who work with databases" that "aims to be intuitive to use". The GitHub repository describes it as a lightweight client for MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase and Firebird, and the website adds ProxySQL and Redshift to the supported list. The licence is GPL-2.0.
For years HeidiSQL was a Windows application. The current website lists Windows, Linux and macOS. According to the site, the Windows version is built with Delphi 12.3 and the Linux and macOS versions with Lazarus 4.4, so the non-Windows builds come from a different toolchain. The download page for version 12.21 (released 3 August 2026) offers:
- Windows: x64 installer, x64 portable ZIP, and packages through winget and Chocolatey. The Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is required.
- Linux: DEB and RPM packages (Qt6), Flatpak, tarballs for GTK2, Qt5 and Qt6, an ARM64 Qt6 build for Raspberry Pi OS, and Arch Linux and FreeBSD packages. Ubuntu 24.04 needs the libqt6pas library installed.
- macOS: an ARM64 app bundle only, so Intel Macs are not covered.
A v13 preview for Windows x64, labelled "new codebase", is on the download page (updated 22 September 2026). It is a preview, not the stable release. Nightly builds are also offered, and the site warns that they "are not official releases and therefore probably have more bugs".
Key features
- Multiple connections in one window, connection from the command line, and connections over an SSH tunnel or with SSL settings
- Grid for browsing and editing table data, plus bulk table edits such as moving tables or changing engine and collation
- Create and edit tables, views, stored routines, triggers and scheduled events
- Query editor with customisable syntax highlighting, code completion and an SQL reformatter
- SQL exports, direct export from one server or database to another, text file import, and row export as CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, LaTeX, Textile, PHP, Markdown and JSON
- User privilege management with roles and authentication plugins, a process list to monitor and kill client processes, and batch optimise and repair of tables
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source under GPL-2.0, with no paid tier
- One client for MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase and Firebird
- Now offered for Windows, Linux and Apple silicon Macs, with a portable Windows build
- Practical data tools: server to server export, many export formats and search across all tables of a server
- Long-running, actively maintained project with a v13 preview in progress
Cons
- The macOS build is ARM64 only, so Intel Macs are not supported
- Windows and Linux/macOS builds use different toolchains (Delphi and Lazarus), so check that a feature works on your platform
- No ER diagram, schema comparison or visual query builder on its feature list
- The feature list is centred on MariaDB and MySQL; it does not describe SQL Server Agent or other SQL Server administration tools
- The download page asks visitors to disable ad blockers to enable downloads
Pricing
HeidiSQL is free and open source. The official GitHub repository is licensed under GPL-2.0, and the website lists no paid edition. The project accepts donations. The download page asks visitors to disable their ad blocker and reload the page to enable the download links.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 October 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Developers and DBAs who work mainly with MariaDB or MySQL, sometimes with SQL Server, PostgreSQL or SQLite, and want a free, compact client on Windows, Linux or an Apple silicon Mac.
Who should look elsewhere
- Intel Mac users: the macOS build is ARM64 only. Look at DBeaver or Beekeeper Studio, or see best database tools for Mac.
- Anyone who needs ER diagrams or data modelling: see best ER diagram tools.
- SQL Server DBAs who need Agent jobs and full administration: use SSMS.
- Teams that want deep code analysis, refactoring and version control in the editor: compare DataGrip.
Verdict
HeidiSQL remains a practical free client for MariaDB and MySQL work, and the 12.x series has widened its reach to Linux and Apple silicon Macs. Its feature list is focused on everyday tasks (editing data and structure, writing queries, exporting between servers, managing privileges) rather than modelling or administration of other engines. Check the build for your platform, since Windows and the other platforms use different toolchains, and keep an eye on the v13 preview. If you need a broader cross-platform tool, compare it with DBeaver; if you are choosing an official MySQL tool, see HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench.
HeidiSQL how-to guides
- Is HeidiSQL Free? Licence & Limits Explained
- How to Download & Install HeidiSQL (Windows, Linux, macOS and Wine)
- How to Connect HeidiSQL to MySQL
- How to Connect HeidiSQL to SQL Server
- How to Connect HeidiSQL to PostgreSQL
- HeidiSQL ER Diagram: Not Supported, and What to Use Instead
- How to Import CSV in HeidiSQL
- How to Export Query Results to Excel/CSV in HeidiSQL
- HeidiSQL Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
Frequently asked questions
Is HeidiSQL free?
Yes. HeidiSQL is free and open source; its GitHub repository is licensed under GPL-2.0 and there is no paid edition. The project accepts donations.
Does HeidiSQL run on macOS or Linux?
Yes, since the 12.x series. Version 12.21 offers DEB, RPM, Flatpak and tarball builds for Linux (plus Arch, FreeBSD and Raspberry Pi OS packages) and an ARM64 app bundle for macOS. There is no build for Intel Macs.
Which databases does HeidiSQL support?
The website lists MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL and Redshift.
What is HeidiSQL 13?
A preview of version 13, described on the download page as a "new codebase", is available for Windows x64. It is a preview; the stable release in October 2026 was 12.21.
HeidiSQL or MySQL Workbench?
HeidiSQL is a multi-engine client focused on data and structure editing; MySQL Workbench is Oracle's MySQL-only tool, rebuilt in 2026 on MySQL Shell. See HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench.
Sources
- HeidiSQL website (features and supported databases)
- HeidiSQL downloads (version 12.21, platforms, v13 preview)
- HeidiSQL GitHub repository (GPL-2.0 licence)
Checked October 2026.
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