Tools: 4 MySQL GUI’s Free (phpMyAdmin alternatives)
Analyzed it from different aspects:
- Cross platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Features
- Speed
- Exporting / Importing capabilities
Found:
I. HeidiSQL
1. You could compile the source for other platforms, but the binary is Windows only. So it’s a NO
2. Features: Not very rich, just for simple database administration like adding, deleting inserting tables, etc. But I didn’t find the more complex features like indexes, views, etc. I suppose you can do it in the query windows, but then why calls itself a GUI? So I give the features a POOR
3. Speed: It’s a desktop application. Application loading and the SQL queries are GOOD
4. Exporting / Importing: It can export / import to SQL, CSV files, it can import files into BLOB fields. So it’s GOOD
II. Navicat Lite
1. Cross platform: Available for Windows, Mac, Linux. It’s a YES
2. Features: Rich features, indexes, views, store procedures are all there. GOOD
3. Speed: Desktop app. FAST
4. Export / Import : Can export but not import (only in full version, remember this is a lite edition) which is very BAD
III. SQLYog
1. Cross platform: NOPE Windows only.
2. Features: GOOD everything is there.
3. Speed: FAST. app and sql query
4. Export / Import: VERY GOOD. Only SQL though, but options for setting different parameters like drop table is exist, export structure only or data only or both, etc.
IV. DB Designer 4
1. Cross platform: Windows, Linux, but not Mac. I say ENOUGH
2. Features: Different features available. As addition you can design the database schemas. GOOD
3. Speed: Not very fast. At least on my machine… SLOW
4. Import / Export: GOOD
Conclusion:
Depends on which platform do you want to develop. But setting up MySQL on one machine and using the desktop app on another, then I would prefer SQLYog. It has all the features available, most important it can export/import correctly. I don’t care if it’s not exporting to CSV, XML, Excel… I’m using a MySQL GUI I expect to export it into SQL.
Comments
March 15th, 2008
SQLyog got a nice option export table as CSV, HTML, XML, Excel XML format.
March 15th, 2008
SQLyog runs on Wine (Linux, BSDs, Solaris) and ‘darwine’/crossover for Mac (Mac OS-X).
Please refer to:
http://webyog.com/faq/content/31/71/en/can-i-use-sqlyog-with-the-wine-windows-emulator-on-linux.html?highlight=wine
Independent report here:
http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=10704&iTestingId=20560
March 15th, 2008
Yes, but it doesn’t support these platforms natively.
June 24th, 2008
hey Guys, Talking about sqlyog? Then let me show you some thing which has effective and efficient powertools and revised data and structure sync and also amazing grid features. Its recommendable than other gui tool.
August 22nd, 2008
Hi,
Free phpmyadmin alternative?
Why http://www.sqlbuddy.com works for me.
tri
September 27th, 2008
It’s strange for a list of 2008 to see DBDesigner this is old school and not working on mysql 5 or higher.
Also a good alternative is EMS SQL Manager (Lite for free)
September 27th, 2008
You can do indexes and views in heidiSQL, but you have to download a nightly build for that. It’s quite different from what you get downloading the official installer, seems they don’t update it very much with new stuff.
January 26th, 2009
sequel is a very nice choice. Simple and OSX native: http://www.sequelpro.com/ is the new CocoaMySQL
January 26th, 2009
@bruno: Sequel is nice although it only for Leopard.
February 24th, 2009
I’ve tried the export function of Navicat Lite, I found it offers a “Dump SQL File” option which is very useful for backing up my data.
For those who want to learn about this feature, they can visit at: http://www.navicat.com/win_manual/BackupDump.html.
May 3rd, 2009
I may also suggest AeroSQL - a Web based MySql Manager.
Homepage: http://www.burlaca.com/aerosql/
There is a demo, video and screenshots available on the homepage.
AeroSQL is a free web based tool for managing MySql servers written in PHP. The key feature of the product is an intuitive management of the database content. The result of SELECTs is displayed in a grid as in traditional desktop applications. The grid is editable: you can update cells and save the changes to the backend database server. For now, the query browser represents the main functionality. Additional features will be added in the next versions: administration tools (backup, restore), database object management (create tables).