- Download only from navicat.com: the Navicat Premium download page gives a 14-day fully functional trial, and the Navicat Premium Lite page gives the free edition.
- Windows: run the .exe and follow the setup wizard. macOS: open the .dmg and drag Navicat to Applications. Linux: make the AppImage executable and run it, or install the Flatpak.
- Navicat 18 needs Windows 8 or later (Windows Server 2012 or later), macOS 14 Sonoma or later, or a supported Linux distribution on x86_64 or aarch64.
- After the trial, activate with a perpetual licence key or sign in with the Navicat ID that holds your subscription.
Navicat download: which file to get
Start from the official Navicat download pages; there is no reason to use a mirror. Pick the product first:
- Navicat Premium 18 (paid, all engines). The download page offers a 14-day fully functional free trial for Windows (64-bit), macOS (separate Apple Silicon and Intel downloads) and Linux (AppImage for x86_64 and aarch64, or Flatpak).
- Navicat Premium Lite 18 (free). It has its own download page with the same platforms, limited to a maximum of 5 users per organisation.
- Single-engine products such as Navicat 18 for MySQL have their own trial downloads on the products page.
Each platform offers two direct download locations and a third "Download with Support" option. You do not need a different download to buy: when the trial ends, the same installation is activated with a licence key or a subscription sign-in, as described below. Prices are covered in the Navicat pricing guide in this series.
System requirements for Navicat 18
The same page notes that a few engines (GaussDB, openGauss, Dameng and OceanBase Enterprise Oracle Mode) are not available in the macOS edition. MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, MariaDB, MongoDB, Redis and Snowflake are supported on all three platforms.
| Platform | Supported versions |
|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and 11; Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025 |
| macOS | macOS 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia, 26 Tahoe and 27 |
| Linux (AppImage, x86_64) | Debian 10 to 13, Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, 24.04 and 26.04, Fedora 44, Linux Mint 20 to 22, Deepin, KylinOS Desktop 10 and others listed in the manual |
| Linux (AppImage, aarch64) | Debian 11 to 13, Ubuntu 22.04 to 26.04, Fedora 44, Linux Mint 20 to 22 and others listed in the manual |
| Linux (Flatpak) | Flatpak supported distributions |
Install Navicat on Windows, macOS and Linux
The manual suggests closing other open applications before you install.
Windows
- Download the Windows version (64-bit).
- Open the
.exefile. - Click Next on the Welcome screen.
- Read the License Agreement, accept it and click Next.
- Accept the location of the program icons with Next, or click Browse to choose another folder.
- Follow the remaining steps to finish.
macOS
- Download the macOS version for your Mac: Apple Silicon (arm64) or Intel (x86_64).
- Open the
.dmgfile. - Drag Navicat to your Applications folder.
Linux (AppImage or Flatpak)
The download page and manual give these commands for Navicat Premium 18; for Premium Lite the file and app names contain premium-lite and premiumlite instead, as shown on the Lite download page. For Flatpak, make sure Flatpak is set up first.
chmod +x navicat18-premium-en-x86_64.AppImage
./navicat18-premium-en-x86_64.AppImageflatpak install https://dn.navicat.com/flatpak/flatpakref/navicat18/com.navicat.premium.en.flatpakref
flatpak run com.navicat.premium.enchmod +x navicat18-premium-lite-en-x86_64.AppImage
./navicat18-premium-lite-en-x86_64.AppImageTrial, activation and subscription sign-in
A new installation of Navicat Premium runs as a 14-day trial. When the trial ends, the manual says Navicat needs a licence key or a subscription plan. Open Help > Registration and use one of the two sections:
- Perpetual License: paste your 16-digit licence key and click Activate. If the computer is offline, choose Manual Activation, copy the Request Code, get an Activation Code from
customer.navicat.com/manual_activate.phpon another computer, paste it back and click Activate. - Subscription: enter your Navicat ID (the email address used to subscribe) and password. Navicat reloads the plan from the licensing server once an hour by default.
Navicat Premium Lite needs no key. Its download page limits it to five users per organisation.
Updating Navicat and moving it to a new computer
To update, choose Help > Check For Updates; the Updater checks the installed version and replaces it while keeping your settings. You can also download the latest installer from the Customer Center with your registered email address. Whether a perpetual licence can move to a new major version depends on its maintenance; the pricing guide explains maintenance, and the Navicat review covers the product as a whole.
To move to another computer, the manual documents this order: File > Export Connections to save a .ncx file; in Help > Registration click Deactivate (perpetual licence) or Sign Out (subscription); uninstall; install on the new computer; then File > Import Connections. Deactivating first matters because a key or Navicat ID is tied to one installation.
Once installed, connect to your first database with the MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQL Server connection guides listed below.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Navicat download free?
Downloading is free. Navicat Premium runs as a 14-day fully functional trial and then needs a licence or subscription; Navicat Premium Lite is free to use, for up to five users per organisation.
Does Navicat run on Linux?
Yes. Navicat 18 is available for Linux as an AppImage (x86_64 and aarch64) or as a Flatpak. Supported distributions include recent Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora and Linux Mint releases.
Which Navicat download do I need for an M-series Mac?
Choose the Apple Silicon (arm64) download. Intel Macs use the x86_64 download. Navicat 18 requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Can I install Navicat on Windows 7?
Not Navicat 18: its requirements start at Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
How do I move my Navicat connections to a new PC?
Use File > Export Connections to save a .ncx file, deactivate or sign out under Help > Registration, then install on the new PC and use File > Import Connections.
Sources
- Navicat Premium download
- Navicat Premium Lite download
- Navicat 18 manual (Windows): Requirements
- Navicat 18 manual (Windows): Installation
- Navicat 18 manual (macOS): Installation
- Navicat 18 manual (Linux): Installation
- Navicat 18 manual: Registration
- Navicat 18 manual: Migration / Upgrade
- Navicat Premium release notes
- Navicat store: Navicat Premium (maintenance terms)
Checked 8 October 2026.
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