Top 8 PostgreSQL GUI Software in 2021

PostgreSQL is an advanced Open Source object-relational database management system. Mainly, it’s used in enterprises and supports SQL and JSON queries.

According to Stack Overflow, PostgreSQL is the second most used database after MySQL in 2021. Over 40% of the 70,000+ respondents prefer Postgres over SQLite, MongoDB, Redis, and other databases.

As a Postgres user, you have two ways to administrate the database:

• Write queries via the command line (not everyone likes it).

• Use a Postgres graphical user interface (GUI) built with one of the PostgreSQL management tools.

The second option is much more convenient than CLI. Moreover, it allows you to increase your productivity. Let us now make you au fait with Postgres GUI and the most commonly used PostgreSQL GUI tools.

What Is PostgreSQL GUI?

PostgreSQL GUI is a management tool for PostgreSQL databases. It allows you or any database user to query, visualize, manipulate, analyze your Postgres data. You can also access and navigate your database servers via a Postgres GUI.

The main reasons why users prefer Postgres GUI over the CLI are:

• A long learning curve and complex onboarding.

• Not pleasant-to-use CLI interface.

• A lack of information a console gives you at a time.

• Difficulties in browsing and monitoring databases via a console.

The use of Postgres GUI, in its turn, offers you the following advantages:

• Shortcuts you can use for faster and simpler work.

• Rich data visualization opportunities.

• Remote database server access.

• Easy access to your operating system.

Best PostgreSQL GUI software

It will probably be out of the blue for someone that Postgres-focused pgAdmin is not the only Postgres GUI tool available today. 

First of all, there’s UI Bakery, a low-code internal tool builder. It was not created for Postgres management initially. However, using this internal tool builder, you can connect multiple data sources (databases, third-party apps, REST APIs) under one UI. UI Bakery also offers rich data visualization opportunities allowing you to display PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL, Redis, and other database content in the needed form.

Since UI Bakery is web-based, you don’t need to spend time on installation and configuration. You can create a GUI for your Postgres database using a range of ready-made UI components like Tables, Charts, Graphs, Maps, Buttons, Dropdowns, etc. The process takes minutes or hours instead of days and weeks of hand-coding.

A low-code approach to database management is much more time-saving and flexible than the use of traditional GUI tools like pgAdmin. Nevertheless, let’s now take a look at the other GUI management tools.

1. pgAdmin

An Open Source cross-platform PostgreSQL GUI tool. 

Strengths:

• Compatible with Linux, Windows, macOS.

• Allows for working with multiple servers at a time.

• CSV file export.

• Query planning functionality.

• An ability to monitor your sessions, database locks via the dashboard.

• Shortcuts in the SQL editor for more convenient work.

• A procedural language debugger inside aimed to help in code debugging. 

• Thorough documentation and vibrant community.

Weaknesses:

• Slow and not intuitive UI compared to the paid competitors.

• Too heavy.

• Not easy to onboard.

• You need advanced skills to work with several databases at a time.

2. DBeaver

An Open Source PostgreSQL management tool supporting multiple databases.

Strengths:

• Cross-platform.

• Over 80 databases support.

• A Visual Query Builder allowing you to add SQL queries without SQL skills.

• Multiple data views.

• Data import/export in CSV, HTML, XML, JSON, XLS, XLSX.

• Advanced data security.

• Full-text data search and an ability to display search results as Tables/Views.

• Free plan available.

Weaknesses:

• Slow performance compared to the competitors.

• Too frequent updates, which annoys.

• After some time of your inactivity, DBeaver disconnects from your database. You need to re-launch the app.

3. Navicat

A very intuitive graphical tool for Postgres database management. Not Open Source.

Strengths:

• Very easy and fast installation.

• Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS support.

• A convenient and fast visual SQL builder. 

• Code auto-completion feature.

• Data Modeling Tool: manipulate your database objects, design schemas.

• Job Scheduler: run jobs, get notifications upon the job completion.

• In-built team collaboration.

• Data sources synchronization.

• Data import/export in Excel, Access, CSV, and other formats.

• Data protection ensured via SSH tunneling and SSL.

• Collaboration with cloud services by Amazon, Google, and others.

Weaknesses:

• Slow GUI tool performance.

• Rather a heavy price compared to the competitors.

• One license is limited to one platform (you’ll need 2 separate licenses for PostgreSQL and MySQL).

• A lot of advanced features requiring time to learn how to work with them.

• Inconvenient: you need to refresh the app when you add rows.

4. DataGrip

An advanced IDE supporting multiple databases built by JetBrains.    

Strengths:

• Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux support).

• Easy schema navigation.

• A customizable UI with a query console to keep your work progress safe.

• Prompt bugs detection.

• In-built version control system.

• MySQL, SQLite, MariaDB, Cassandra, and other databases support.

• Clear reports with an ability to integrate them with charts and graphs.

• Great auto-complete functionality that suggests relevant code completions.

Weaknesses:

• Rather expensive.

• RAM-consuming.

• A complicated error debugging process.

• Long learning curve both for DataGrip and JetBrains.

• Not meant to serve as a cloud-based admin web app.

• Not good for managing more than one database simultaneously.

5. HeidiSQL

An Open Source Postgres (and not only) GUI tool. Supports only Windows now.

Strengths:

• Easy installation, quite lightweight compared to the competitors.

• PostgreSQL, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MariaDB support.

• Ability to connect and manage several database servers in one window.

• Direct SQL export from one database or server to another.

• Bulk table browsing and editing via a simple-to-use grid.

• Code-completion and syntax-highliting functionality.

• Active support community regularly enhancing this GUI tool.

• Grid and Data export as Excel, HTML, JSON, PHP files.

• 100% encrypted data connection.

Weaknesses:

• Not cross-platform (supports Windows only).

• Stability issues arising frequently.

• No procedural language debugger to simply code debugging. 

6. TablePlus

Native GUI software for managing both SQL and NoSQL databases. Not Open Source.

Strengths:

• High performance and speed according to users’ feedback.

• A very customizable UI: you have no need to turn to Mojave at all.

• Syntax-highlighting support.

• Shortcuts are available to save your time and increase efficiency.

• High-level data security ensured due to the end-to-end encryption of the Client-Server connection.

Weaknesses:

• UX issues occur frequently when you work with other databases than PostgreSQL.

• Not cheap. A free trial offers strictly limited functionality.

• Customer support leaves much to be desired.

7. OmniDB

A simple Open Source GUI management tool for PostgreSQL.

Strengths:

• Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS support).

• PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, MariaDB support.

• Very responsive and lightweight compared to some of its alternatives.

• SQL-autocomplete functionality.

• Syntax-highlighting feature.

• Ability to create customizable Charts to display the relevant database metrics.

• In-built debugging functionality.

Weaknesses:

• Not the best fit for you if you work with several databases at a time.

• A lack of support and educational documentation.

Instead of summing up: UI Bakery – not obvious yet powerful competitor

When you choose GUI software, you should base your final decision on several aspects:

• Team size.

• Your OS.

• Database type.

• A number of databases you’re planning to work with.

DBeaver, DataGrp, and HeidiSQL are more suitable for one person working with one database. Navicat is the choice for a team due to this GUI tool collaboration functionality. Almost all of the mentioned tools are cross-platform except for HeidiSQL that supports Windows only. Being PostgreSQL-focused, pgAdmin is rather powerful as a PostgreSQL GUI tool. 

But there’s UI Bakery, a visual internal tool builder. This low-code development platform is great if you need to integrate several different data sources together – be it databases, third-party tools, APIs. You don’t have to stay within only one ecosystem. You can also use prebuilt UI components and templates not to start from scratch and save your time.

If you’re not sure whether this internal tool builder fits your specific needs, go ahead and give a low-code approach a try. The entire GUI tool development process will take hours or even minutes depending on your development experience.

It seems like pgAdmin and the other classic GUI software are losing momentum. A low-code approach to Postgres (and others) database management allows you to get much better results in less time.