PostgreSQL has become central to many teams, and a good GUI helps you work faster without diving into command-line tasks for everything. This post distills the main GUI options developers often evaluate.
Short snapshots from the original deep-dive article.
pgAdmin 4
The official PostgreSQL administrative client.
- Open source
- Query tool + explain plan
- Full object browser
- Free and widely used
DbVisualizer
A clean, multi-database client with strong visuals.
- One UI for many engines
- History + formatting
- Useful exports
- Free and Pro tiers
DBeaver
A flexible community favorite.
- Inline editing grid
- Broad JDBC support
- ER diagrams
- Customizable interface
DataGrip
A SQL-first IDE oriented toward maintainable code.
- Smart autocomplete
- Refactoring tools
- VCS integration
- Minimal admin features
Navicat Premium
A full suite for modeling, transfers, and reports.
- Data sync + scheduler
- Visual design tools
- Broad import/export functions
- Commercial software
FAQ
Is pgAdmin 4 better than pgAdmin 3?
Yes. pgAdmin 3 is retired, and pgAdmin 4 supports newer Postgres capabilities with active updates.
Can one GUI work for PostgreSQL and MySQL?
Tools like DBeaver, DbVisualizer, DataGrip, and Navicat support multiple databases, including MySQL.
What works best for macOS or Linux?
Every tool listed runs on macOS or Linux, or can be accessed via the browser.
Do I still need the psql CLI?
For automation and bulk tasks, psql remains useful. GUIs complement it rather than replace it.
Are there good free options?
Yes—pgAdmin, DBeaver Community, and DbVisualizer Free provide strong coverage.
Conclusion
Every PostgreSQL GUI serves a different workflow—from administration to modeling and SQL-heavy development.
See the complete comparison in the original article The Best PostgreSQL Client in 2025.
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