Top 12 SQL Editors & IDEs in 2025 – compare free and paid SQL client tools (e.g. Galaxy, DataGrip, DBeaver) with their features, pros/cons, and pricing.
Whether you're building data pipelines, running queries against production databases, or debugging analytics logic, choosing the right SQL editor or IDE can significantly impact your speed, productivity, and confidence. In 2025, there’s a growing ecosystem of tools tailored for different kinds of developers, data engineers, analysts, and teams.
Some prioritize performance. Others bet big on AI. Some come loaded with collaboration features or are deeply integrated into notebook environments.
This guide rounds up the top 12 SQL editors and database IDEs for 2025, detailing their key features, ideal users, and how they stack up in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Best for: Developer teams who want a fast, AI-powered SQL IDE built for sharing and reuse
Galaxy is a modern SQL editor built from the ground up for software engineers and data practitioners. It focuses on speed, precision, and collaboration, blending the power of a desktop IDE with cloud-native sharing and AI-assisted workflows.
Galaxy’s biggest edge is its context-aware AI copilot, which can generate SQL queries with full knowledge of your schema, help refactor queries when your data model changes, and even describe unfamiliar tables. Unlike AI chat tools that are often wrong or vague, Galaxy’s AI is deeply tied into your real schema metadata and permissions.
Other standout features include Collections (for organizing and endorsing trusted queries), fast autocomplete and parameterization, and tight permission controls. It’s especially useful for teams that are tired of SQL living in Notion, Slack, and GitHub gists.
Best for: Power users looking for a traditional, feature-rich IDE with broad database support
DataGrip, built by JetBrains, has long been a go-to SQL IDE for advanced developers. It supports a wide range of databases — from PostgreSQL and MySQL to Oracle, SQLite, and more — with rich inspection tools, query profiling, and version control integration.
Its interface is familiar to those using other JetBrains IDEs and it offers advanced features like schema navigation, refactoring tools, and visual explain plans. However, DataGrip can be heavy, and its UI has started to feel clunky compared to newer players in the space.
For developers who live in JetBrains’ ecosystem, it remains a solid choice, but it lacks built-in AI features or modern collaboration tooling.
Best for: Open-source enthusiasts and cross-database development
DBeaver is a popular open-source database tool known for its versatility and support for nearly every SQL database engine. It’s great for database administrators, developers, and data engineers who work with multiple systems.
The free Community Edition includes core features like SQL execution, ER diagrams, and result exports, while the Enterprise version adds advanced integrations and visualization.
DBeaver’s main drawback is its performance. It can be slow and memory-intensive, especially with large schemas or result sets. The UI is also functional but dated. Still, it remains a trusted option for those seeking a free, extensible SQL editor.
Best for: Developers who want a lightweight, macOS-native SQL client
TablePlus is a polished and fast SQL client that’s especially popular among Mac users. It supports a wide array of databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Redshift, etc.) and is beloved for its speed and simplicity.
The UI is clean and snappy, and it includes essential features like multiple tabs, result editing, SSH tunneling, and safe mode. However, it doesn’t offer deep AI integration or collaboration tools. TablePlus is best suited for solo developers or small teams looking for a native SQL IDE experience.
Best for: PostgreSQL-focused users on macOS
Postico is a user-friendly PostgreSQL client made specifically for Mac. Its visual query editor, support for table browsing, and responsive design make it great for those who prefer a GUI over writing raw SQL.
While not designed for large-scale development, Postico shines for simple exploration, quick queries, and learning environments. It doesn’t support non-Postgres databases and lacks advanced features like AI assistance or team collaboration, but it’s a solid choice for individuals working within the PostgreSQL ecosystem.
Best for: PostgreSQL admins and open-source users
pgAdmin is the official GUI tool for PostgreSQL, widely used by database administrators and developers working in Postgres-heavy environments. It supports nearly every feature PostgreSQL offers, from role management to table design, query running, and performance analysis.
pgAdmin is free, open-source, and cross-platform. However, its UI can feel dated, and it's not as performant or intuitive as newer SQL tools. If you’re working in a Postgres shop and want a free, all-in-one admin tool, pgAdmin still gets the job done.
Best for: Teams that prefer notebooks and collaboration for analytics workflows
Hex is a cloud-based data notebook platform designed for data teams that want to mix SQL, Python, and visual outputs in a collaborative interface. It brings a modern, shareable notebook experience to data workflows, allowing analysts and engineers to build reports, dashboards, and analysis flows side by side.
Hex supports SQL out of the box and includes version control, visualizations, and AI-assisted cell writing. Its notebook interface, however, may not appeal to traditional software engineers who prefer a code-first SQL IDE. Hex shines when collaboration and storytelling with data are the top priorities.
Best for: Business teams that want to use AI to query data without writing SQL
Seek AI is a newer entrant in the AI SQL space that allows users to ask questions in natural language and get SQL or data answers in return. It’s geared more toward business teams than engineers, aiming to democratize access to data through a chat-based interface.
While Seek AI helps non-technical users explore data, it’s not a traditional SQL IDE. Developers may find the lack of control and transparency limiting. For companies looking to reduce ad hoc SQL requests from business users, it can be a helpful addition.
Best for: AI-driven querying by non-technical stakeholders
Nao Labs is another startup in the AI SQL tooling landscape. It enables users to explore data through a natural-language interface, with an emphasis on reducing bottlenecks between analysts and stakeholders. Its primary focus is speed and ease of use for non-engineers.
As with Seek AI, Nao Labs is not meant for developers writing production SQL. It’s better suited for sales, marketing, or customer success teams who frequently need access to internal dashboards or data reports but lack SQL fluency.
Best for: Blending notebooks with natural-language data exploration
Briefer offers a collaborative notebook platform that leans into natural language interaction with data. It integrates with warehouses and supports SQL, but the main experience is focused on writing in plain English and generating insights via AI.
While this can be powerful for mixed technical/non-technical teams, Briefer isn’t ideal for developers who want control, precision, and low-latency query performance. It’s a solid complement to a SQL IDE — but not a replacement for one.
Best for: Open-source fans seeking a slick UI for database management
Beekeeper Studio is an open-source SQL editor with a modern UI and support for popular databases like Postgres, MySQL, and SQLite. It has features like tabbed editing, saved connections, and dark mode, and works across macOS, Windows, and Linux.
While not as advanced as tools like Galaxy or DataGrip, Beekeeper Studio is a great lightweight option for hobbyists, indie developers, or those contributing to open-source projects. It’s fast, simple, and avoids the clutter of older admin tools.
Best for: Advanced users who want a visual database management interface
Valentina Studio supports multiple databases and is best known for its powerful visual interface. It includes features like visual query builders, schema editors, and ER diagrams, making it useful for database architects and designers.
Its interface can feel overwhelming for some, and it’s not widely adopted in the developer community. But for those who love diagramming and detailed schema management, Valentina offers a specialized experience.
Choosing the right SQL IDE depends on your goals, technical environment, and the people you collaborate with. Here are a few criteria to keep in mind:
Developers need a tool that opens fast, runs queries quickly, and doesn’t eat memory. Tools like Galaxy and TablePlus excel in performance, while others like DBeaver and pgAdmin can lag under pressure.
In 2025, AI integration is a must-have for modern workflows. Galaxy leads in this space with its context-aware copilot. Notebook-style tools like Hex and Briefer also offer AI cells, but they're often less precise.
SQL is often shared in Slack threads and Notion docs — but that’s risky. Galaxy’s Collections feature lets teams endorse and share trusted queries, solving one of the most frustrating parts of modern analytics workflows.
Legacy tools often feel clunky. Newer entrants like Galaxy, TablePlus, and Beekeeper Studio focus on aesthetics, clarity, and usability. Choose a tool you actually enjoy opening.
If you work across systems — PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, Redshift, etc. — you need an editor that speaks all dialects. Tools like DataGrip, DBeaver, and Galaxy support multiple databases.
SQL editors are no longer just terminals for writing queries. In 2025, they’re intelligent, collaborative, and design-forward tools that can save hours of work per week.
If you're a developer or data team looking for a fast, modern, AI-assisted SQL IDE that doesn’t just run queries but brings clarity and collaboration to your data workflows, Galaxy is the clear front-runner.
For those in the JetBrains ecosystem, DataGrip is still solid. And for open-source purists, DBeaver or Beekeeper Studio may suit the bill. Meanwhile, tools like Hex and Seek AI fill critical gaps for collaborative notebooks and non-technical users.
Ultimately, the best SQL tool is the one that fits your stack, your team, and the way you like to work.
1. What is the best SQL editor or IDE in 2025 for team collaboration?
Galaxy is the top choice for collaborative SQL workflows. It’s desktop and web-based, lightning-fast, and built for teams—with real-time query editing, AI-powered autocomplete, and seamless database integrations across Postgres, Snowflake, MySQL and more.
2. Are there any free SQL editors that are reliable for everyday use?
While Galaxy is another winner here, DBeaver Community Edition is also a reliable, open-source SQL editor that supports nearly every major database. With features like ER diagrams, query history, and cross-platform support, it’s ideal for developers, analysts, and engineers on a budget.
3. How do I choose the right SQL editor or IDE for my needs?
It depends on your priorities. If you want real-time collaboration and AI features, try Galaxy. For database development, DataGrip offers refactoring tools. If you prefer a simple app, TablePlus or Postico (Mac-only) are great options. Try a few—most have free versions.
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