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Head-to-head · Database Client Software

HeidiSQL vs DbGate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score HeidiSQL #7 in Database Client Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit HeidiSQL
DbGate #21 in Database Client Software 7.1/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit DbGate

HeidiSQL leads on 0 checks, DbGate on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks 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 DbGate
  • Most featuresDbGate · 4 of 4

HeidiSQL scores higher on our rubric for database client software: 8.5 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #21.

On deployment, DbGate gives you Both where HeidiSQL offers Desktop.

HeidiSQL is the better fit for free users of common SQL databases. DbGate is the better fit for teams wanting a broad, flexible client.

  • HeidiSQL fits best

    Free users of common SQL databases

  • DbGate fits best

    Teams wanting a broad, flexible client

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Side by side

Feature HeidiSQL 8.5/10 Visit ↗ DbGate 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.1
Ranking #7 in Database Client Software #21 in Database Client Software
Best for Free users of common SQL databases Teams wanting a broad, flexible client
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $120/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features HeidiSQL 3/4 · DbGate 4/4
SSH tunneling ✓ ✓
Data editing ✓ ✓
Visual query builder Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Query history ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Desktop Both
Database support MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL, Redshift MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, MongoDB, Cassandra, ClickHouse, Redis, MariaDB, CockroachDB, DuckDB, Firebird, libSQL, CosmosDB, Amazon Redshift, Firestore, Amazon DynamoDB
Result export formats CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, LaTeX, Textile, PHP, Markdown, JSON SQL, CSV, JSON, XML, NDJSON, Excel, DBF, YAML
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
  • Supports SQL and NoSQL databases across desktop, web, and self-hosted deployments
  • Combines browsing, editing, query design, diagrams, exports, and backup tools
  • Community is free and open source with unlimited connections
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
  • Premium is limited to 1 user
  • Team Premium requires a minimum of 2 users
  • Team administration features are part of the Team Premium plan
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 →

DbGate is a cross-platform database client for developers, analysts, and database administrators working across SQL and NoSQL systems. It provides desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, along with a browser-based web…

Read the review →
  1. HeidiSQLDatabase Client Software 8.5Free plan
  2. DbGateDatabase Client Software 7.1Free plan · 30-day trial

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

  • DbGate — where it wins

    • Supports SQL and NoSQL databases across desktop, web, and self-hosted deployments
    • Combines browsing, editing, query design, diagrams, exports, and backup tools
    • Community is free and open source with unlimited connections

    Where it doesn't

    • Premium is limited to 1 user
    • Team Premium requires a minimum of 2 users
    • Team administration features are part of the Team Premium plan

More comparisons

All database client software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update