Alternatives to SQuirreL SQL
An open-source Java SQL client that works with any database that has a JDBC driver. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
SQuirreL SQL
An open-source Java SQL client that works with any database that has a JDBC driver.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as SQuirreL SQL.
DBeaver Community
One database client for more than a hundred databases, with a proper SQL editor and ER diagrams.
DBeaver also connects to anything with JDBC or ODBC, bundles OpenJDK and ships more than a hundred drivers, adding ER diagrams, though it is heavy.
SQL Workbench/J
A free, DBMS-independent SQL query tool written in Java for running scripts and exporting data.
SQL Workbench/J is another free Java DBMS-independent query tool for scripts and exports, but it is not open source and has usage conditions.
DbVisualizer
A cross-platform database client and SQL tool that connects to many relational and NoSQL databases.
DbVisualizer is a Java-based multi-database client that bundles Java in its installers and has an AI assistant, but it is closed source with paid Pro features.
DataGrip
Multi-database IDE with an intelligent SQL console and schema navigation.
DataGrip is a multi-database IDE with schema-aware completion and schema comparison, closed source and sold as a paid subscription.
DbGate
One database client for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, SQLite, Redis and a dozen more, on desktop or as a web app.
DbGate is an open-source Electron client covering many SQL and NoSQL engines without needing Java, though some connectors are premium.
Beekeeper Studio
A SQL client that is pleasant to look at and works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Beekeeper Studio is an open-source client with a modern interface and broad database support, but it does not accept arbitrary JDBC drivers.
TablePlus
Native database client for many engines with a clean interface.
TablePlus is a native multi-engine client without a Java runtime, but it is closed source and its free tier limits tabs and connections.
Valentina Studio
A cross-platform database management tool for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite, MongoDB and more.
Valentina Studio supports SQL and NoSQL databases with a visual diagram editor, free on all three desktop platforms but closed source with paid PRO features.
Also worth comparing
These listings name SQuirreL SQL as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Oracle SQL Developer
A free integrated development environment for developing and managing Oracle Database.
SQuirreL SQL is LGPL open source and works with any JDBC database including Oracle, but it needs a Java runtime and supplied drivers.
Sqlectron
A simple, lightweight open-source desktop SQL client that connects to several database engines.
SQuirreL SQL is an open-source Java client that works with any JDBC database and has plugins, but needs a Java runtime and drivers you supply.
Toad for Oracle
Commercial desktop tool for developing, managing and tuning Oracle databases.
SQuirReL SQL is a free LGPL-2.1 Java client for any JDBC database, with a dated interface and far fewer Oracle administration features.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
usql
Use one command-line interface for many database systems.
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.
CloudBeaver
A self-hosted web database manager from the DBeaver team, used through a browser.
