HeidiSQL vs Adminer

HeidiSQL—Visit AAdminer—Visit

HeidiSQL #7 in Database Client Software —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit HeidiSQL

vs

A Adminer #8 in Database Client Software —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Adminer

• HeidiSQL fits best

  Free users of common SQL databases

• Adminer fits best

  Simple free browser-based administration

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Side by side

Feature	HeidiSQL —/10 Visit ↗	AAdminer —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	—	—
Ranking	#7 in Database Client Software	#8 in Database Client Software
Best for	Free users of common SQL databases	Simple free browser-based administration
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web
Support	Community, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features HeidiSQL 3/4 · Adminer 2/4
SSH tunneling	✓ (best)	Not published
Data editing	✓	✓
Visual query builder	Not published	Not published
Query history	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment	Desktop	Web
Database support	MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL, Redshift	MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, CockroachDB, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle; additional plugin drivers include Elasticsearch, SimpleDB, MongoDB, Redis, Firebird, ClickHouse, IGDB and IMAP
Result export formats	CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, LaTeX, Textile, PHP, Markdown, JSON	SQL, CSV
Our review
Pros	Supports MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and more Combines data editing, administration, imports, and broad exports Includes SSH tunneling, SSL settings, and query history	Free, open-source distribution under the Apache License or GPL Edits data, schemas, permissions, routines and database objects Supports multiple databases with SQL and CSV export
Cons	Desktop deployment may not suit browser-based database workflows Its workflow centers on SQL rather than visual query building Database support is limited to the listed engines	Runs as a web-based PHP application rather than a native desktop client SSH tunneling is outside its stated feature set No visual query builder is included in its stated feature set
Our verdict	HeidiSQL is a free, open-source desktop database client for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It is designed for people who work with MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL, or Redshift and want… Read the review →	Adminer is a web-based database administration interface distributed as a single PHP file. It is designed for developers and database administrators who need a compact browser-based way to connect to database servers, create or select… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• HeidiSQL — where it wins

  • Supports MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and more
  • Combines data editing, administration, imports, and broad exports
  • Includes SSH tunneling, SSL settings, and query history

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-based database workflows
  • Its workflow centers on SQL rather than visual query building
  • Database support is limited to the listed engines

• Adminer — where it wins

  • Free, open-source distribution under the Apache License or GPL
  • Edits data, schemas, permissions, routines and database objects
  • Supports multiple databases with SQL and CSV export

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs as a web-based PHP application rather than a native desktop client
  • SSH tunneling is outside its stated feature set
  • No visual query builder is included in its stated feature set

• HeidiSQL—/10 · Free plan

  A capable free desktop client for managing several major SQL databases.

  Visit HeidiSQLFull verdict →
• AAdminer—/10 · Free plan

  A free, focused browser interface for everyday database administration.

  Visit AdminerFull verdict →