Best mycli Alternatives in 2026
15 SQL query tools our editors would look at instead of mycli, in our ranking order.
mycli: A capable free terminal client for MySQL-family databases, without visual query building. Where it falls short: terminal-only experience with no visual query builder.
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. Scores and reviews are set by our editors and never change for payment; paid placements are marked Featured. How we rank.
-
Best forBroad database coverage and deep desktop tooling
A broad desktop database client with deep SQL tooling and a free open-source edition.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit DBeaver -
Best forDevelopers needing advanced SQL intelligence
Advanced SQL intelligence, broad database coverage, and strong developer tooling.
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit DataGrip -
Best forProfessional multi-database desktop work
A capable multi-database desktop client with broad connectivity and a useful free edition.
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit DbVisualizer -
Oracle SQL Developer not yet scored
Best forFree Oracle-focused SQL and PL/SQL work
A free, Oracle-focused desktop IDE with broad SQL, PL/SQL, and database administration tools.
—not yet scoredVisit Oracle -
HeidiSQL not yet scored
Best forFree open-source database administration
A capable free database client for administration, SQL editing, and data management.
—not yet scoredVisit HeidiSQL -
Best forAffordable cross-platform database editing
An affordable, cross-platform database editor with a capable free plan and broad engine support.
Free plan · paid from $9/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Our Beekeeper Studio verdict → Visit Beekeeper5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Beekeeper -
Best forVisual database administration across many engines
A broad desktop toolkit for visual administration across SQL and NoSQL databases.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit Valentina -
Best forMySQL teams needing administration depth
A broad desktop toolkit for MySQL teams that need query, administration, and database operations in one IDE.
Free plan · paid from $9.95/user/mo · 30-day trial Our dbForge Studio for MySQL verdict → Visit Devart6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Devart -
Best forPaid users needing broad JDBC database coverage
A broad desktop database client for paid users who need JDBC coverage across platforms.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit RazorSQL -
Best forPolished cross-platform SQL editing
A polished SQL client with strong editing tools, broad database support, and no free plan.
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit TablePlus -
SQL Workbench/J not yet scored
Best forFree open-source JDBC SQL workflows
A free, open-source SQL workbench for interactive and batch JDBC workflows.
—not yet scoredTry SQL Workbench/J -
SQuirreL SQL Client not yet scored
Best forExtensible free JDBC database querying
A flexible desktop SQL client for JDBC databases, with plugins and visual query tools.
—not yet scoredVisit SQuirreL SQL -
Best forWindows database teams
A capable Windows SQL client with broad driver support, visual tools, and a free Lite edition.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit WinSQL -
SQLPad not yet scored
Best forSimple self-hosted web SQL querying
A free, self-hosted SQL workspace with broad connectors and practical exports.
—not yet scoredVisit SQLPad -
Execute Query not yet scored
Best forMinimal free JDBC database querying
A free, open-source desktop SQL utility for JDBC querying, editing, and schema work.
—not yet scoredVisit Execute Query
mycli Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to mycli?
DBeaver: #1 in our SQL Query Tools ranking, with an editor score of 5.0 out of 10. A broad desktop database client with deep SQL tooling and a free open-source edition.
Is there a free alternative to mycli?
Yes. DBeaver, DataGrip, DbVisualizer, Oracle SQL Developer and HeidiSQL have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to mycli?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Beekeeper Studio starts lowest, at $9/user/mo.
mycli vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Query history retention | Scheduled queries | Team query sharing | SQL notebooks | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| not scored | mycli | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1 | DBeaver | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 5.0 |
| 2 | DataGrip | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 4.8 |
| 3 | DbVisualizer | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 5.8 |
| not scored | Oracle SQL Developer | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — |
| not scored | HeidiSQL | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | Beekeeper Studio | Yes | $9/user/mo | — | — | — | — | 5.8 |
| 7 | Valentina Studio | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 5.0 |
| 8 | dbForge Studio for MySQL | Yes | $9.95/user/mo | — | — | — | — | 6.0 |
| 9 | RazorSQL | No | — | — | — | — | — | 5.0 |
| 10 | TablePlus | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 4.8 |
| not scored | SQL Workbench/J | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — |
| not scored | SQuirreL SQL Client | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | WinSQL | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 6.0 |
| not scored | SQLPad | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — |
| not scored | Execute Query | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026