So, you need a tool for database management. You want something with an intuitive user interface that will give you a comprehensive overview of your databases at any given moment. Moreover, you want something functional enough to allow retrieving and managing your data with ease. That said, we’ve picked seven good candidates, seven SQL database viewer tools that you might want to take note of. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Contents
- dbForge Studio for SQL Server
- DB Browser for SQLite
- Navicat
- DBeaver
- DbVisualizer
- Aryson SQL Viewer
- DataGrip
dbForge Studio for SQL Server
Official website for dbForge Studio for SQL Server
Let’s start with a big one. dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a powerhouse IDE for database development, management, and administration. If you need exhaustive functionality (just check the list of features below) combined with top performance, this might be your best bet. Besides that, you get comprehensive product documentation, lots of video tutorials and educational blog posts, and a responsive support service.
Note that there are three other Studios for MySQL/MariaDB, Oracle Database, and PostgreSQL, so you may want to check them as well. All Studios share the same core features and consistent UI, but vary in auxiliary functionality. You can get acquainted with each of them during a free 30-day trial.
Key features
- SQL code completion, formatting, syntax validation, debugging, and refactoring
- Query performance optimization
- Visual query building on diagrams that involves no coding whatsoever
- Visual database design via ER diagrams
- Comparison and synchronization of schemas and table data
- Data import and export with 14 supported data formats
- Easy database migration
- Generation of column-intelligent test data
- SQL Server performance monitoring in real time
- Data aggregation, analysis, and reporting
Pros
- Source Control integration supporting the most popular version control systems
- Implementation of automated unit tests
- Broad command-line automation capabilities
- Comprehensive documentation and a rich collection of tutorials
Cons
- Lack of native macOS and Linux support (however, you can run the Studio on macOS and Linux via third-party compatibility solutions like CodeWeavers CrossOver)
- English-only user interface
Pricing
- 30-day free trial
- Free Express edition with basic functionality
- Subscription: from $219.95 per year (priority support included)
- Perpetual license: from $439.95 (priority support included)
DB Browser for SQLite
Official website for DB Browser for SQLite
DB Browser for SQLite (a.k.a. DB4S) is an open-source application that helps create, design, and edit database files compatible with SQLite. The goal of its developers was to make a tool that would use a familiar spreadsheet-like interface and be as simple to use as possible, suitable for both seasoned database developers and users who don’t have that much experience with complex SQL.
Key features
- Creation of database files
- Creation and management of records, indexes, and entire tables
- Import and export of records and tables
- Basic work with SQL queries
- Log of SQL queries
- Simple graphs based on table or query data
Pros
- Free availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Overall simplicity
- Basic tools for management of SQLite
- Product documentation
Cons
- No advanced features (not quite a drawback; you just need to take this tool for what it is, a free, compact database viewer for SQLite, nothing more and nothing less)
Pricing
- Free
Navicat
Navicat stands out as a popular solution for database development, management, and maintenance, whose biggest strength lies in its sheer reach. First, it is compatible with a real multitude of database systems and cloud services. Second, it is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Third, it delivers a rather solid set of features.
Key features
- SQL Builder with code completion and customizable code snippets
- Object Designer providing fast access for managing database objects
- Data Viewer for easy data management
- Data Generator that produces any volume of test data
- Database design and modeling
- Data migration and synchronization
- Visual representations of large data sets via Charts
Pros
- Good feature set delivering all the essentials
- Availability for a rich selection of database systems and cloud services: MySQL, Redis, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MariaDB, SQLite, MongoDB, Amazon RDS, Amazon Aurora, Amazon Redshift, Amazon ElastiCache, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, Google Cloud, MongoDB Atlas and Redis Enterprise Cloud, GaussDB, and OceanBase
- Availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Robust security
- UI customization
Cons
- Relatively short trial
Pricing
- 14-day free trial
- Subscription: from $17.99 per month
- Perpetual license: from $349.00
DBeaver
DBeaver is yet another popular cross-platform database tool for database developers, administrators, data analysts, and generally everyone who works with data. It is generally divided into two versions: the free and open-source DBeaver Community and the commercial DBeaver PRO. The former’s functionality is limited to an SQL Editor, a Data Editor, and a few task management and database maintenance tools. The latter option expands on this with cloud storage support, advanced security, connection via ODBC drivers, support for NoSQL databases, visual Query Builder, Task Scheduler, and more.
Key features
- SQL Editor to write and run queries
- Syntax highlighting and SQL completion
- Data Editor with a robust set of features
- SQL scripts management
- DDL generation
- ERD (Entity Relationship Diagrams) rendering
- Visual Query Builder
- Task Scheduler
- Task management
- Database maintenance
- Cloud storage support
- Support for NoSQL databases
Pros
- Quick and easy setup
- Visual Query Builder for coding-free construction of queries
- Huge number of supported database systems
- Advanced security capabilities, including SSH tunneling
- Extensibility via custom plugins
Cons
- Possibly insufficient feature set for power users
- Relatively short trial
Pricing
- 14-day free trial
- Free Community edition with basic functionality
- Subscription: from $11 per month
- Perpetual license: from $110
DbVisualizer
Official website for DbVisualizer
DbVisualizer is a universal database client that offers an extensive range of supported databases and a mid-tier feature set that is best explored through the handy user guide. Otherwise, almost everything that has been said about Navicat and DBeaver generally applies here; you only need to see whether its actual capabilities are relevant to your requirements and your overall workflow.
Key features
- Advanced SQL editor with autocompletion
- Visual query builder
- Visualization of query results
- Query optimization via visual EXPLAIN plans
- Automatic generation of reference graphs and ERDs
- Export of DDL for database objects
- Database scheduling, events, jobs
- CLI support
Pros
- Support for multiple database systems, including Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite, MongoDB, Oracle Cloud, Amazon Redshift, Azure SQL Database, and more
- Support for database-specific object types and object actions
- Secure access to data
- Detailed user guide
Cons
- The free version is very limited
Pricing
- 21-day free trial
- Free edition: DbVisualizer Free
- Subscription to DbVisualizer Pro: from $197 per user for the first year and $69 for the second year and onwards
Aryson SQL Viewer
Official website for Aryson SQL Viewer
Now let’s proceed to an actual database viewer. After all, the previous solutions could all tackle a far broader scope of tasks than simple SQL data viewing. So, here comes Aryson SQL Viewer, a free Windows tool that allows opening and viewing SQL database files, including those containing corrupt data; and Aryson SQL Viewer is good for that purpose.
Key features
- Viewing of SQL Server tables, columns, classes, triggers, keys, indexes, etc.
- Viewing of corrupt SQL Server data
- Dual recovery modes to handle different kinds of corruption: Standard & Advanced
- Tree structure preview of recovered SQL files
Pros
- Simplicity in everything, from installation to actual use
- No file size limitation for opening and reading SQL database files
- Preview of corrupt MDF and NDF files without the need for SQL Server
Cons
- None to speak of; it is what it is, a free database viewer, made strictly for Windows, nothing more
Pricing
- Free
DataGrip
Let’s conclude our list with another popular solution called DataGrip. It’s a commercial cross-platform IDE designed to address the needs of SQL developers and database administrators of different caliber with a selection of versatile tools for writing and analyzing SQL code as well as managing data across multiple database systems. All of those features can be explored during a conveniently long 30-day trial.
Key features
- Advanced SQL editor with code completion, debugging, and refactoring
- Visual database designer
- Data viewer and editor
- Query analysis and optimization
- tSQLt-based unit testing
- Integrated version control
- Data reports with charts
Pros
- Availability on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Highly customizable user interface with a dark theme
- Rather long free trial
Cons
- Limited data import capabilities
- Limited database administration features
Pricing
- 30-day free trial
- Subscription: from $22.90/month per user or $229.00 per user for the first year (helps save the cost of 2 months during the first year and costs progressively less later on)
| Tool | Pros | Cons | Key Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dbForge Studio for SQL Server | Comprehensive documentation, responsive support | No native macOS/Linux support, English-only UI | SQL code completion, debugging, ER diagrams, data import/export | Free Express Edition |
| DB Browser for SQLite | Simple interface, cross-platform | No advanced features | Create/ edit SQLite database files, import/export records | Free |
| Navicat | Wide compatibility, robust security | Short trial period | SQL Builder, data migration, cloud service support | Subscription |
| DBeaver | Extensibility via plugins, SSH tunneling | Limited features for power users | SQL Editor, ER diagrams, NoSQL support, cloud storage | Subscription |
| DbVisualizer | Secure access, detailed user guide | Free version is very limited | Visual query builder, query optimization, ER diagrams | Subscription |
| Aryson SQL Viewer | Handles corrupt files, no size limitations | Windows-only | View SQL Server tables, recover corrupt data | Free |
| DataGrip | Highly customizable UI, long trial period | Limited data import capabilities | SQL debugging, visual database design, query optimization | Subscription |
How to choose the optimal database viewer?
No surprises here – everything depends on your particular needs and the demands and environments of your projects. You need to outline the required set of features, note the database systems and services you’re working with, decide on your possible budget constraints, and proceed from there. Most likely, your workflow won’t be strictly limited to viewing and editing data, so keep an eye on all the extras that might come in handy.
Even within one solution, there might be different editions, and you might find one of them perfectly suitable. For instance, if you need a basic database manager/viewer, you can use the free Express edition of dbForge Studio; and if your requirements go far beyond simple code completion and data management, you can go for the fully-featured Enterprise edition of dbForge Studio, explore it during a free month-long trial, and then possibly switch to another edition (Standard or Professional) that best matches your daily work. The choice is always yours.
FAQ
What is an SQL Database Viewer?
An SQL Database Viewer is a tool for viewing, managing, and analyzing database data and executing SQL queries against the database. This tool provides an intuitive interface for interacting with the data stored in databases, including tables, indexes, and other database objects. It typically lets users run queries, review schema designs, and view data without requiring extensive SQL knowledge.
Can I use SQL database viewers for database backups and exports?
Yes, many SQL database viewers support database export and backup functionalities. For instance, dbForge Studio for SQL Server and Navicat will let you export data to multiple formats and perform backup operations as part of their management tools. However, basic viewers like DB Browser for SQLite or Aryson SQL Viewer are primarily focused on viewing data and may not offer full backup and export options.
Can SQL database viewers modify data, or are they read-only?
SQL database viewers may either be read-only or support data modification, depending on the tool. For example, tools like dbForge Studio for SQL Server, DataGrip, and Navicat offer comprehensive features for data modification, such as editing, updating, and deleting records. On the other hand, simpler tools like Aryson SQL Viewer are typically read-only, focused only on viewing and recovering data.
How do I view a SQL file?
To view an SQL file, you can use a database viewer like dbForge Studio for SQL Server, Navicat, or DataGrip. These tools allow you to open and inspect SQL database files directly. For instance, you can load the file into the viewer and explore the database structure, including tables, indexes, and queries.
How do I view a SQL database?
Viewing an SQL database involves opening the database file with a compatible viewer or management tool. Tools like dbForge Studio for SQL Server allow you to connect to a database server and explore the entire database schema. You can inspect tables, view data, run queries, and generate reports. If you’re working with a local file, tools like DB Browser for SQLite or Aryson SQL Viewer can open SQL database files directly, giving you a visual representation of the data and structure.
