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MySQL Shell vs MySQL Command-Line Client: catalog facts
MySQL Shell	MySQL Command-Line Client
Free Free download from the MySQL Community downloads.	Free Free as part of MySQL Community Edition; Oracle sells a separate Enterprise Edition.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Three modes: SQL, JavaScript and Python Handles queries and server administration in one tool	Ships with every MySQL Community Server package Runs SQL scripts non-interactively for automation
Command line only, with no graphical interface Only for MySQL servers	Text-only interface with no visual schema browsing Windows downloads bundle the full server, which is large
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-2.0	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.