Oracle SQL Developer vs HeidiSQL

Oracle SQL Developer8.7Visit HeidiSQL8.5Visit

Higher score Oracle SQL Developer #5 in Database Client Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Oracle

vs

HeidiSQL #7 in Database Client Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit HeidiSQL

• Oracle SQL Developer fits best

  Oracle users seeking a free client

• HeidiSQL fits best

  Free users of common SQL databases

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Side by side

Feature	Oracle SQL Developer 8.7/10 Visit ↗	HeidiSQL 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.5
Ranking	#5 in Database Client Software	#7 in Database Client Software
Best for	Oracle users seeking a free client	Free users of common SQL databases
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Oracle SQL Developer 4/4 · HeidiSQL 3/4
SSH tunneling	✓	✓
Data editing	✓	✓
Visual query builder	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Query history	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Database support	Oracle Database; MySQL; Microsoft SQL Server; Microsoft Access; selected third-party databases; Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database	MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL, Redshift
Result export formats	XML; CSV; SQL Insert; SQL*Loader	CSV, HTML, XML, SQL, LaTeX, Textile, PHP, Markdown, JSON
Our review
Pros	Free desktop IDE for Windows, macOS, and Linux PL/SQL debugging, unit testing, and visual query building Exports data to XML, CSV, SQL Insert, HTML, XLS, and more	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
Cons	Its primary focus is Oracle Database work Desktop deployment does not provide a browser-based client Third-party database support is narrower than general-purpose clients	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
Our verdict	Oracle SQL Developer is a free graphical database IDE for developers and database administrators working with Oracle Database. The desktop application supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, with tools for SQL and PL/SQL editing and execution,… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Oracle SQL Developer — where it wins

  • Free desktop IDE for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • PL/SQL debugging, unit testing, and visual query building
  • Exports data to XML, CSV, SQL Insert, HTML, XLS, and more

  Where it doesn't

  • Its primary focus is Oracle Database work
  • Desktop deployment does not provide a browser-based client
  • Third-party database support is narrower than general-purpose clients

• 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

• Oracle SQL Developer8.7/10 · Free plan

  A capable free desktop client for Oracle SQL, PL/SQL, administration, and migration.

  Visit OracleFull verdict →
• HeidiSQL8.5/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit HeidiSQLFull verdict →