Alternatives to SQL Workbench/J
A free, DBMS-independent SQL query tool written in Java for running scripts and exporting data. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
SQL Workbench/J
A free, DBMS-independent SQL query tool written in Java for running scripts and exporting data.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as SQL Workbench/J.
DBeaver Community
One database client for more than a hundred databases, with a proper SQL editor and ER diagrams.
DBeaver Community is open source under Apache-2.0 and bundles OpenJDK, adding ER diagrams and data migration, though it is Eclipse-based, heavy and slow to start.
SQuirreL SQL
An open-source Java SQL client that works with any database that has a JDBC driver.
SQuirreL SQL is also a Java client for any JDBC database, but it is open source under LGPL-2.1 with a plugin system and encrypted password storage.
DbVisualizer
A cross-platform database client and SQL tool that connects to many relational and NoSQL databases.
DbVisualizer bundles Java in its installers and covers relational and NoSQL databases with an AI assistant, but advanced features need the paid Pro edition and it is closed source.
Beekeeper Studio
A SQL client that is pleasant to look at and works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Beekeeper Studio swaps the Java runtime for an Electron app with a cleaner interface and GPL-3.0 core, though some features are paid and source-available.
DataGrip
Multi-database IDE with an intelligent SQL console and schema navigation.
DataGrip adds schema-aware completion and schema comparison across many databases, but it requires a paid subscription with no free tier and is not open source.
DbGate
One database client for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, SQLite, Redis and a dozen more, on desktop or as a web app.
DbGate covers SQL and NoSQL engines on desktop or as a web app under GPL-3.0, with schema compare, though a few connectors are premium-only.
Sqlectron
A simple, lightweight open-source desktop SQL client that connects to several database engines.
Sqlectron is a lighter MIT-licensed desktop SQL client for several engines with no Java requirement, but it has fewer administration features.
usql
Use one command-line interface for many database systems.
usql moves multi-database querying to a single command-line interface under MIT, with no Java runtime but also no graphical interface.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Jailer
A database subsetting tool and relational data browser for extracting consistent slices of a database.
SchemaSpy
A command-line tool that generates browsable HTML documentation and ER diagrams from a database schema.
sq
An open-source command-line tool to inspect, query, join, import and export data across databases and files.
CloudBeaver
A self-hosted web database manager from the DBeaver team, used through a browser.
