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Head-to-head · SQL Query Tools

HeidiSQL vs dbForge Studio for MySQL

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score HeidiSQL #5 in SQL Query Tools 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit HeidiSQL
dbForge Studio for MySQL #8 in SQL Query Tools 8.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Devart

HeidiSQL leads on 0 checks, dbForge Studio for MySQL on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHeidiSQL · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly dbForge Studio for MySQL

HeidiSQL scores higher on our rubric for sql query tools: 8.5 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

HeidiSQL is the better fit for free open-source database administration. dbForge Studio for MySQL is the better fit for mySQL teams needing administration depth.

  • HeidiSQL fits best

    Free open-source database administration

  • dbForge Studio for MySQL fits best

    MySQL teams needing administration depth

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Side by side

Feature HeidiSQL 8.5/10 Visit ↗ dbForge Studio for MySQL 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.2
Ranking #5 in SQL Query Tools #8 in SQL Query Tools
Best for Free open-source database administration MySQL teams needing administration depth
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features HeidiSQL 0/4 · dbForge Studio for MySQL 0/4
Scheduled queries Not checked yet Not checked yet
Team query sharing Not checked yet Not checked yet
SQL notebooks Not checked yet Not checked yet
AI query assistance Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Query history retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment options Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source across Windows, Linux, and macOS
  • Supports multiple database systems with SSH tunneling and SSL settings
  • Combines SQL editing, data editing, imports, exports, and administration
  • Covers querying, editing, comparison, profiling, backup, and administration
  • Supports MySQL, MariaDB, Percona, HeatWave, and cloud database services
  • Includes visual tools plus command-line automation for recurring operations
Cons
  • No verified visual query builder
  • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-based workflows
  • Its broad feature set is focused on database administration rather than analytics
  • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-first database workflows
  • The Express edition has a limited feature set
  • Paid plans start at $9.95 per month for Standard
Our verdict

HeidiSQL is a free, open-source desktop database client for administrators and developers who need to connect to, manage, and edit databases across Windows, Linux, and macOS. It supports MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL,…

Read the review →

dbForge Studio for MySQL is a desktop database IDE for developers, database administrators, analysts, and DevOps teams working with MySQL and MariaDB environments. It combines a SQL editor with context-aware completion and formatting, a…

Read the review →
  1. HeidiSQLSQL Query Tools 8.5Free plan
  2. dbForge Studio for MySQLSQL Query Tools 8.2Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • HeidiSQL — where it wins

    • Free and open source across Windows, Linux, and macOS
    • Supports multiple database systems with SSH tunneling and SSL settings
    • Combines SQL editing, data editing, imports, exports, and administration

    Where it doesn't

    • No verified visual query builder
    • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-based workflows
    • Its broad feature set is focused on database administration rather than analytics

  • dbForge Studio for MySQL — where it wins

    • Covers querying, editing, comparison, profiling, backup, and administration
    • Supports MySQL, MariaDB, Percona, HeatWave, and cloud database services
    • Includes visual tools plus command-line automation for recurring operations

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-first database workflows
    • The Express edition has a limited feature set
    • Paid plans start at $9.95 per month for Standard
  • HeidiSQL8.5/10 · Free plan

    A capable free database client for administration, SQL editing, and data management.

    Visit HeidiSQLFull verdict →
  • dbForge Studio for MySQL8.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A broad desktop toolkit for MySQL teams that need query, administration, and database operations in one IDE.

    Visit DevartFull verdict →

More comparisons

All SQL query tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update