Alternatives to pgcli
A command-line PostgreSQL client with auto-completion and syntax highlighting. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
pgcli
A command-line PostgreSQL client with auto-completion and syntax highlighting.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as pgcli.
usql
Use one command-line interface for many database systems.
usql gives one command-line interface for many database systems instead of PostgreSQL only, though driver availability and feature support vary by database.
Harlequin
A SQL IDE that runs in the terminal, with adapters for DuckDB, SQLite, Postgres and more.
Harlequin is a full SQL IDE in the terminal with adapters for Postgres, DuckDB, SQLite and more, installed through Python like pgcli.
rainfrog
Query databases through a terminal editor with history and favorites.
rainfrog is a terminal query editor with query history, favorites and table inspection, though its database drivers have different support and stability levels.
dblab
An open-source terminal UI client for browsing and querying PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite and other databases.
dblab is a terminal UI for browsing and querying PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite with saved connection configs, maintained by a small team.
LazySQL
Browse and query databases through a terminal interface.
LazySQL is a cross-platform terminal interface for browsing and querying databases, but the project describes itself as alpha software.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
mycli
A command-line MySQL client with auto-completion, syntax highlighting and fuzzy history search.
LiteCLI
A command-line SQLite client with auto-completion and syntax highlighting.
pgAdmin
The standard open-source administration tool for PostgreSQL.
PostgreSQL
The open-source relational database with 35 years behind it, known for correctness, extensibility and a long feature list.
pgweb
A web-based PostgreSQL client that ships as a single binary and runs in your browser.
MongoDB Shell
The official interactive command-line shell, mongosh, for querying and administering MongoDB databases.
