Top Five Best Database Management Tools
For a database administrator, DBM (database management) tools make tasks related to maintaining relational databases efficient and fast. Prior to the popularity of these tools, most DBA’s had to use the command line to create, edit, and delete databases. In this article, we present to you the top five most popular/most voted for database management tools.
Late last month, we asked what your favorite database management tool was, and now, here are the top five most-voted-for tools.
5. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
For Microsoft SQL Server database admins, there probably isn’t a better tool out there than Miscosoft’s freeware app (downloadable at $0 dollars on the Microsoft site), SQL Server Management Studio. SQL Server Management Studio has a GUI that Windows OS users will find straightforward, and it has an innovative feature called Object Explorer that lets you browse, select, and perform tasks on database objects. It’s the only tool you need for creating and administering Microsoft SQL Server databases.
4. Sequel Pro
For Mac OS users, Sequel Pro–an open source MySQL database management front-end tool–is a top pick. It has a slick and intuitive GUI that keeps it barebones so that you can easily navigate the app. To get started with Sequel Pro, make sure to check out their docs page (but a word of caution, the docs is still under development at this time).
3. SQLyog
SQLyog is a GUI administration tool for MySQL developed by Indian-based software company, Webyog. It comes in two flavors: Enterprise (with the price ranging from $99 to $999) and the pared down Free Community version; to see the differences, check out the feature comparison table. SQLyog’s list of features is outstanding and unfathomable – a top-notch tool for professional database admins.
2. Navicat for MySQL
Navicat for MySQL is part of the family of cross-platform (Windows/Mac/Linux) relational database management tools created by PremiumSoft. It has a visual query builder for creating complex database queries in a snap, import/export/backup tools for your databases, a report builder for printing out db queries that the boss can understand, a task scheduling assistant for scheduled execution of jobs, and much more.
Navicat also produces front-ends for Oracle and PostgreSQL. Navicat products have a Lite version (non-commercial) and a Premium version; check out the feature matrix to see the difference in features of both versions.
1. phpMyAdmin
phpMyAdmin, the most popularly voted database management tool by you (and where my vote would have gone), is an open source web-based MySQL manager. Don’t let it’s simple and aesthetically-challenged GUI fool you, phpMyAdmin packs a punch: you can create/manage databases, tables, db users, optimize and check for errors in your db tables, run queries, export/import data in plenty of file formats, and much more; couple all of that with ease of installation and you’ve got yourself a true winner.
To learn more about phpMyAdmin, you should consider getting the Mastering phpMyAdmin 3.1 for Effective MySQL Management
Is your favorite database management tool not mentioned? Tell us about it in the comments!
Related Content
- 10 Free Server & Network Monitoring Tools that Kick Ass
- 12 Essential Security Tips and Hacks for WordPress
- 10 Promising Free Web Analytics Tools
- Related categories: Tools and Web Development
About the Author
.
59 Comments
Bodgan Pop
November 14th, 2009
phpMyAdmin has its issues but is indeed truly awesome. Plus, it is platform independent. If phpMyAdmin had visual database design features it would certainly appeal to everyone.
Tyler
November 14th, 2009
phpMyAdmin has to win this one.
Not saying the others aren’t good, but phpMyAdmin has everything you’d want (Well I know its got all that I want) and being able to access it from anywhere is a great plus, I can use any computer to access the MySQL databases.
Keith Davis
November 14th, 2009
phpMyAdmin comes bundled with XAMPP and it’s the only database tool I’ve heard of.
Only found it because I followed Jacobs tutorial on how to setup a local Wordpress installation using XAMPP… best tutorial ever!
qim
November 14th, 2009
If it must be an quick and easy installation I’m using Adminer from http://www.adminer.org/ .
It’s a single file alternative to phpMyAdmin. Not all features are implemented, but if you don’t have a chance to install phpMyAdmin on a server it’s a good choice.
Dave
November 14th, 2009
EMS MySQL Manager rocks. They have a paid and a lite version, and versions for most other major databases as well. Check it out.
Lailson Bandeira
November 14th, 2009
Sequel is so, so awesome good! =D
It really deserves the 1st place!
Henrique
November 14th, 2009
Navicat is great on OS X, I use it for PostgreSQL every day at work.
Ben
November 15th, 2009
phpMyAdmin looks really ugly, here’s a beautiful alternative – SQLBuddy http://sqlbuddy.com/. Free and open source too.
You’ll never go back to phpMyAdmin.
Kyle W
November 15th, 2009
phpMyAdmin is alright for a web application, but I like SQL Buddy much better. The interface is super clean, it’s just as easy (if not easier) to set up and uses AJAX to do most of the database management.
For a software application, I LOVE Sequel Pro. It’s nice to see it on the list.
I normally use Sequel Pro to do assist with locally developed applications and SQL Buddy to do production queries/updates.
Imran Khan
November 15th, 2009
navicat is simply superb fast and GUI , easy to edit , etc.
Tinu Cleatus
November 15th, 2009
If you are on a mac, there is no better tool than Sequel Pro. Can’t imagine my workflow without it and its open source !
Schalk Neethling
November 15th, 2009
If one looks at specifically MySQL than some tools I think a lot of people overlook the MySQL GUI tools, they are really an awesome set of tools. If you need web based tools, then I agree phpMyAdmin takes the top prize.
expressions
November 15th, 2009
Yes my vote is also for phpmyadmin.
nice articles would be trying others soon
stooni
November 15th, 2009
I have also another one – HeidiSQL is an easy-to-use interface and a “working-horse” for web-developers using the popular MySQL-Database. http://www.heidisql.com/
—good article
— stooni
Abdulhakim Haliru
November 15th, 2009
My unreserved vote will always go to PhpMyadmin. on the SQL server, i will give it up for SSMS.
Jacob, thankx for this article.
Max
November 15th, 2009
phpMyAdmin is the best for setting up and managing a db… but I use it side by side with Querious http://www.araelium.com/querious/
Querious is much more clearly arranged when it comes to view a filled db.
colm
November 15th, 2009
Toad is conspicuous by it’s absence… Doesn’t anyone use Oracle anymore??
Em
November 15th, 2009
phpMyAdmin for me too. It’s a great tool.
James
November 15th, 2009
What about the official Sun MySQL administrator?
I find it very good and would rate it above PHPMyAdmin.
http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/gui-tools/5.0.html
Nikko
November 15th, 2009
Have you guys used MySQL GUI Tools? It’s a really nice desktop application for MySQL management.
Andrei
November 15th, 2009
Hey there, where did MySQL Administrator and MySQL Query Browser from MySQL GUI tools go?
http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/gui-tools/5.0.html
I personally find it faster and more flexible than phpMyAdmin.
Bruno Daniel
November 15th, 2009
I really love the official MySQL Query Browser, included in the MySQL GUI Tools.
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/query-browser/en/mysql-query-browser-tour-mainwindow.html
Goldmin
November 15th, 2009
SQL Server Management Studio and Phpmyadmin are the tools of choice for sql and mysql, phpmyadmin is just such a breeze to use and can be setup in 5 minutes flat!
Austin
November 15th, 2009
PHPMyAdmin is pretty much the only one that you need. :)
CMIWebStudiocom
November 15th, 2009
In this list, did we forget that MySQL provides a set of GUI tools for download?
phpMyAdmin looks like it’s from the dark ages, but it gets the job done. Navicat is more robust and really a must have in my opinion.
adrive
November 15th, 2009
And what about Oracle SQL Developer – my favourite tool
Simon
November 15th, 2009
I always found a special hatred for phpMyAdmin, not entirely sure why, it’s gui just looks so dated :(
Navicat/AnySQL Maestro for me.
Deano
November 15th, 2009
Gotta recommend : HeidiSQL
Best free one :D http://www.heidisql.com/
The latest alpha is even better.
Autonomy
November 15th, 2009
I have used phpMyAdmin on a variety of sites and no matter the level of the other users involved, it is very easy to navigate and simple to learn. I am not surprised it’s #1.
James Hadley
November 15th, 2009
The official MySQL GUI Tools are crap.
I don’t understand why someone will use it when phpMyAdmin and SQLyog Community edition are available for free.
linh
November 16th, 2009
i love phpmyadmin & navicat
Wouter Vervloet
November 16th, 2009
PHPMyAdmin is definetly the easiest since most hosts include this by default, but I can’t believe how this list doesn’t include the MySQL GUI Tools made by Sun. It is a truly amazing set of tools available for Windows, OSX as well as Linux (though I must say the OSX version can be a bit unstable).
Paul West
November 16th, 2009
I’m a phpMyAdmin user mainly due to the fact that it seems to come with a lot of hosts out there. It is a great tool. It’s so quick and easy to make a backup too.
I do worry it’s making me lazy. I had to update a few others through the command line, I was REALLY rusty and had to get a MySQL book out!
Mwafrika
November 16th, 2009
phpMyAdmin comes bundled with XAMPP. Not much choice there plus it’s a pretty decent tool.
I’ve tried HeidiSQL but messed my tables when exporting and importing scripts. Not very confident using it.
Frank
November 16th, 2009
There is another open source tool that I find useful if you are working on different databases instances or software:
SQuirrel SQL Client (http://squirrel-sql.sourceforge.net/)
wookashs
November 16th, 2009
Just Squirrel-sql works on every platform with many databases.
http://squirrel-sql.sourceforge.net/
teebee
November 16th, 2009
I gotta put my vote in for HeidiSQL too. I use MySQL GUI tools as well but like Heidi better!
Mustafa
November 16th, 2009
SQLyog is my favorite tool. It is good, stable and useful.
Joe
November 16th, 2009
I’ve been using Querious on the Mac. Works very well, however I got it before I learned about the free Sequal Pro
Snacks
November 16th, 2009
What about Oracle?
Chocolim
November 16th, 2009
Sequel Pro can damage your database, never use it in produccion, i have a killed table when editing the structure, trying to reproduce the step to report the bug.
Art
November 16th, 2009
HeidiSQL does it. Can’t stand the look of phpMyAdmin. Never could. Left it many years ago.
Sandeep Chandra
November 16th, 2009
I use DBMaster(http://www.10thdoor.com) to do my day to day work and it is good enough for that.
Adam Elleston
November 17th, 2009
I am shocked HeidiSQL is not on there. Its a lot faster than PHP MyAdmin and the ability to export from one open connection to another is pricess for quick DB transfers from a dev enviroment to live.
DaM
November 17th, 2009
SQLBuddy Rulz its small faster and awesome web2.0 interface
Ashesh
November 18th, 2009
I love phpmyadmin, it rocks
MySQL Workbench
November 18th, 2009
MySQL Workbench 5.2 includes:
- Model (upgrade from DBDesigner)
- Query (upgrade from MySQL Query Browser)
- Admin (upgrade from MySQL Administrator)
- SSH-Tunnel (new)
Quick-Start Tutorial:
http://wb.mysql.com/?p=406
Download WB 5.2:
http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/workbench/
Lisa
November 20th, 2009
I heart phpMyAdmin, and it hearts me :3
Spike
November 20th, 2009
You might also consider RazorSQL. Though commercial, it can connect to many different database systems and is pretty tight.
Dave Rowe
November 20th, 2009
I have to give props to the MySQL GUI tools. Specifically, Workbench for modeling. Hands-down, my favorite tool for modeling. It’s clean, quick, and the forward/reverse engineering tools are _extremely_ helpful. The GUI tools themselves from MySQL would benefit to be packaged into a single app, rather than split out (Workbench could stand alone, in my opinion). But, combining the query browser and admin tool, seems like an easy win for Sun/MySQL
Tim
November 22nd, 2009
phpMyAdmin has to be the most frequent management tool to be used now days. It can be find anywhere and is very basic.
Sean Hood
November 23rd, 2009
I have to recommend SQL Buddy too so much nicer and easier to use than phpMyAdmin.
idcj
November 23rd, 2009
I’d like to suggest LyteRAD http://www.lytecube.com/lyterad though not a pure database management tool, but a super quick way to build complete table schemas, reports and even apps.
Hazem Farra
November 24th, 2009
I use a free tool, Database.NET – http://fishcodelib.com/Database.htm, to manage my databases (MS SQL, MySQL, Access, SQLite, etc).
It is super easy to use in running CRUD queries.
Check it out at http://fishcodelib.com/Database.htm (the also have some other useful FREE utilities!
Long Nguyen
November 27th, 2009
Usually, I use MySQL Workbench and MySQL GUI tools.
Sometime, I use phpMyAdmin and SQL Buddy.
JJ
December 18th, 2009
As Colm mentioned, Toad’s absence from this list is more than conspicuous.
The article’s title should have more appropriately been named “MySQL DB Admin Tools” and you should have left MSSMS out of it. It’s clear that MySQL tools are the only ones 98% of the commenters (and apparently the author) has any experience with.
The blurb on the MS offering isn’t even accurate. MSSMS is not freeware at all and comes as part of the MS SQL Server (although there is an Express version that is free, but it doesn’t include all of the features of the full version).
The exclusion of any Oracle tools highlights the fact that this article was written from the perspective of a PHP-centric web developer and not a DBA. There’s nothing at all wrong with that, but I wouldn’t have chosen to represent it as the tools DBA’s choose… That world extends far beyond the borders of the MySQL world.
Pablo Matamoros
December 20th, 2009
I agree with JJ and other comments.
If we center in MySQL, MySQL GUI tools are the best option for desktop use. phpMyAdmin is a good tool but limited, no doubt the best tool if you need webaccess.
John E
December 20th, 2009
If you use Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, then you HAVE GOT TO GET SQL PROMPT PRO!!!
http://www.red-gate.com/Products/SQL_Prompt/index.htm
I spend about 1/2 my day in it and it saves a LOT of time. Code completion in transact sql is amazing. as is having a tool that reads into your table structure. GET IT. I can’t live with out it. And no I don’t work for them. But I would like to!
moroos
March 16th, 2010
Squirrel SQL is a piece of shit. It’s unstable, hangs at least every hour. I cannot count how much time I lost by this %$#%^. Advantage is I got a habit of saving my work in any application every 3 minutes.
Leave a Comment