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Head-to-head · Database Client Software

pgAdmin vs MongoDB Compass

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score pgAdmin #6 in Database Client Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit pgAdmin
MongoDB Compass #9 in Database Client Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit MongoDB

pgAdmin leads on 0 checks, MongoDB Compass 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 scorepgAdmin · 8.6/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMongoDB Compass · 4 of 4

pgAdmin scores higher on our rubric for database client software: 8.6 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #9.

On deployment, pgAdmin gives you Both where MongoDB Compass offers Desktop.

pgAdmin is the better fit for postgreSQL administrators. MongoDB Compass is the better fit for mongoDB developers and analysts.

  • pgAdmin fits best

    PostgreSQL administrators

  • MongoDB Compass fits best

    MongoDB developers and analysts

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Side by side

Feature pgAdmin 8.6/10 Visit ↗ MongoDB Compass 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.3
Ranking #6 in Database Client Software #9 in Database Client Software
Best for PostgreSQL administrators MongoDB developers and analysts
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features pgAdmin 3/4 · MongoDB Compass 4/4
SSH tunneling ✓ ✓
Data editing ✓ ✓
Visual query builder Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Query history ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Both Desktop
Database support PostgreSQL; EDB Postgres Advanced Server MongoDB
Result export formats binary; csv; text JSON, CSV
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source with desktop, web, and self-hosted options
  • Covers query plans, editing, backups, vacuum, restore, and analysis
  • Includes SSH tunneling, ERD tools, schema comparison, and exports
  • Free desktop client with macOS, Windows, and Linux support
  • Visual query, aggregation, schema, and explain-plan tools
  • Edits documents and imports or exports JSON and CSV
Cons
  • Verified database support is limited to PostgreSQL and EDB Postgres
  • A visual query builder is not part of the documented feature set
  • The broad feature set is focused on PostgreSQL rather than multiple engines
  • Supports MongoDB rather than multiple database systems
  • Desktop deployment may not fit browser-first workflows
  • No paid tier for additional Compass capabilities
Our verdict

pgAdmin is an open-source graphical administration, development, and monitoring tool for PostgreSQL and EDB Postgres Advanced Server. It is aimed at database administrators and developers who need to connect to database instances, manage…

Read the review →

MongoDB Compass is a free desktop graphical client for developers, database administrators, and analysts working with MongoDB. It supports visual exploration of collections, query writing, aggregation pipeline building, schema analysis,…

Read the review →
  1. pgAdminDatabase Client Software 8.6Free plan
  2. MongoDB CompassDatabase Client Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • pgAdmin — where it wins

    • Free and open source with desktop, web, and self-hosted options
    • Covers query plans, editing, backups, vacuum, restore, and analysis
    • Includes SSH tunneling, ERD tools, schema comparison, and exports

    Where it doesn't

    • Verified database support is limited to PostgreSQL and EDB Postgres
    • A visual query builder is not part of the documented feature set
    • The broad feature set is focused on PostgreSQL rather than multiple engines

  • MongoDB Compass — where it wins

    • Free desktop client with macOS, Windows, and Linux support
    • Visual query, aggregation, schema, and explain-plan tools
    • Edits documents and imports or exports JSON and CSV

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports MongoDB rather than multiple database systems
    • Desktop deployment may not fit browser-first workflows
    • No paid tier for additional Compass capabilities

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