Linux has the reputation of being an operating system for programmers. So, if you are a software developer who designs MySQL-based solutions, chances are high that you will do it on Linux. Thus, it would be great to have a MySQL IDE for Linux to simplify the work. Is there an appropriate Linux tool for MySQL with a GUI?

MySQL GUI tool: What is it and why is it helpful?

If you ask what the most popular database management system is, MySQL will be among the first answers coming to mind. It is reliable, convenient, fast, functional, and open-source, meaning free of charge. It offers lots of advantages for all database users, especially those who develop software using LAMP – the famous software development framework consisting of Linux (operating system), Apache (software server), MySQL (database management system), and PHP (object-oriented language).

However, to make your efforts more effective, it would be great to apply client software with a graphical interface to speed up the work and get rid of errors that occur inevitably in routine tasks.

Most Popular GUI Tools for MySQL on Linux

Modern GUI clients for MySQL are powerful, multi-featured solutions for all kinds of jobs on MySQL. This article will review the most functional and user-friendly MySQL GUI Linux solutions. The leading software producers have created Linux versions of their visual clients, and it is much easier to pick the suitable variant for you.

To select the best MySQL GUI clients for Linux, we have used the following criteria:

• Functionality
• Price
• Technical Support

Now, let us have a look at the developers' favorites.

dbForge Studio for MySQL

Support: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Price: 30-day free trial, free Express edition, paid editions from $9.95 (per month)

MySQL GUI Tool dbForge Studio for MySQL, designed as a powerful and easy-to-use MySQL and MariaDB GUI for Linux, offers a comprehensive toolset. Its graphical interface helps developers, database architects, DBAs, analysts, and DevOps professionals automate and accelerate standard database tasks.

In particular, it assists greatly with writing SQL statements of any complexity. The visual query builder and such features as code auto-completion, syntax check, formatting, and code snippets help the developers cope with the most sophisticated queries. Also, with the MySQL Source Control feature, users can manage database versions, control schemas, and static table data.

Being one of the most functional MySQL and MariaDB GUI tools for Linux, it helps you with many tasks. You can create and debug stored procedures, compare and synchronize database schemas and data, generate test data, migrate the data, manage user accounts, configure backup and restore tasks, and generate detailed reports on the performance and results.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Robust functionality with plenty of configuration options ✅ Integrated AI Assistant for efficient coding ✅ Quick professional support through several channels ✅ Detailed documentation and learning materials	❌ Advanced functionality is available in paid editions ❌ Supports only MySQL and MariaDB* ❌ No offline documentation

Download dbForge Studio for MySQL

* Enterprise teams, database developers, and DBAs who manage multiple database systems also need a unified environment for cross-platform database development and administration. dbForge Edge is the solution for all kinds of standard database tasks across SQL Server, MySQL/MariaDB, Oracle, and PostgreSQL.

MySQL Workbench

Support: Debian, Red Hat, Fedora, Oracle Linux, and Ubuntu
Price: free

MySQL Workbench is the default Linux MySQL GUI client for database developers, architects, and analysts. It is a cross-platform solution, compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.

A single IDE includes tools for any kind of database task and is among the best administration tools for MySQL and MariaDB environments on Linux. You can design databases with ER diagrams of any complexity and do forward and reverse engineering, while code auto-completion and visual query building help you perform faster. Database admins can configure servers, create and manage user accounts, migrate and audit data, and set up backup and restore tasks.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Easy management of standard database connections ✅ Administration and monitoring modules ✅ A single platform to cover database modeling, generation, and management	❌ UI complexity ❌ Lack of documentation ❌ Data transfer procedures complexity

Download MySQL Workbench

phpMyAdmin

Support: Debian, Ubuntu & Mint, Fedora, RHEL & CentOS, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, Arch Linux, openSUSE
Price: free

phpMyAdmin is an open-source web-based solution with a simple but functional GUI. The purpose of the tool is to help MySQL users handle database-related tasks online. It is a web application; therefore, phpMyAdmin is compatible with all operating systems, including Linux. With quality translations into more than 70 languages, this Linux MySQL GUI tool is a favorite choice of specialists all over the world.

phpMyAdmin supports a wide range of operations on MySQL. Users can create, delete, and manage entire databases, tables, and database objects. Administrators can configure user accounts and their permissions down to the table, database, and server levels. The data import and export mechanism is very simple – phpMyAdmin stores data and schema in text files, making it possible to use databases on other platforms.

You can perform tasks via the graphical interface or by executing SQL statements directly.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Comprehensive documentation ✅ Free of charge ✅ Support for the most common file formats	❌ Some security issues ❌ Slower performance compared to competitors ❌ GUI may be complicated for beginners

Download phpMyAdmin

Navicat

Support: Debian/Ubuntu, openSUSE, CentOS, Fedora
Price: 14-day free trial, monthly subscription $69.99, perpetual license $1,399.00

Navicat is a database development and administration tool that supports the most popular database management systems and cloud platforms from a single application.

Navicat allows users to design and manage databases and database objects, migrate data between tables and different databases, compare and synchronize databases (both data and schemas), and deploy changes. The reverse engineering module and a powerful graphical query builder with drag-and-drop functionality help perform even complex tasks faster.

Overall, Navicat provides all the necessary functionality to work efficiently with databases, servers, and user accounts.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Task automation capabilities ✅ Attractive and intuitive graphical interface ✅ Built-in report creator	❌ High price ❌ Short trial period ❌ Ambiguous documentation

Download Navicat

Valentina Studio

Support: Ubuntu and its derivatives
Price: free, paid plans start from $79.99

Valentina Studio is a free database management tool compatible with MySQL and many other RDBMS. It is a popular Linux SQL GUI solution for handling multiple databases. Among its most demanded features are a query builder for fast coding and a reverse engineering module.

The GUI provides convenient navigation and fast data search. Users can migrate data across tables and databases and perform other standard database tasks. Additionally, Valentina Studio includes a separate module for user management.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Multiple editing of object properties ✅ Warnings for DELETE statements ✅ High data security ✅ Shortcut editor for easier work with databases	❌ Lack of support and documentation ❌ Complicated installation process

Download Valentina Studio

DBeaver

Support: Ubuntu, Debian, Mint, Arch Linux, RHEL-based systems
Price: free (Community edition), paid plans start from $10/month with a free trial

DBeaver is a GUI-based IDE with multi-database support. It is highly functional, user-friendly, and free of charge in the Community edition. Popular features include a SQL query editor, a visual query builder, database comparison, test data generation, and ER diagrams.

The team behind DBeaver actively improves the software, keeping it up to date, fast, and stable.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Multi-user environment ✅ Database metadata storage with easy search ✅ Ability to restrict user access at different levels	❌ No support in the free edition ❌ Weaker data visualization functionality ❌ Complicated data import and export procedures

Download DBeaver

Beekeeper Studio

Support: Debian and Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux
Price: free (Community Edition on GitHub), paid plans start from $79

Beekeeper Studio is an open-source GUI tool for working with relational databases. It provides all essential MySQL-related functionality, including a Linux MySQL editor with auto-completion and syntax highlighting, the ability to save and reuse queries, a data viewer, and other useful tools.

The creators of Beekeeper Studio focus on simplicity and ease of use. Notable features include a multi-tab interface for multitasking and keyboard shortcuts for faster workflows.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Query history with search functionality ✅ SSL-encrypted connections ✅ Light and dark themes	❌ Functionality is inferior to competitors ❌ Lack of support and documentation

Download Beekeeper Studio

DataGrip

Support: Latest 64-bit Linux versions (for example, Debian, Ubuntu, or RHEL)
Price: 30-day free trial, paid plans start from $9.90/month

DataGrip is a smart IDE for database-related tasks. It provides database developers, administrators, and analysts with a wide range of professional tools in a single integrated platform. Users can work efficiently with large queries and stored procedures, and write code faster thanks to auto-completion, syntax checks, and quick fixes.

DataGrip includes tools for viewing, importing, and exporting data. Fast navigation through tables and easy access to files and scripts help accelerate daily tasks. The IDE is highly customizable, allowing professionals to tailor it to their workflows.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Extensive keyboard shortcuts ✅ Built-in connectors for required data sources ✅ Smart suggestions for queries, schemas, tables, and functions	❌ Steep learning curve without onboarding ❌ High resource consumption

Download DataGrip

SQuirreL SQL

Support: CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Mint, Ubuntu
Price: free

SQuirreL SQL is an open-source graphical SQL client designed to help users perform basic operations on JDBC-compliant databases. As a Linux MySQL GUI manager, it offers essential functionality for data searching and simplifies code writing through auto-completion, spell checking, and reusable queries.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Multiple language localizations ✅ Java plugin support to extend functionality ✅ High flexibility	❌ Requires Java to be installed ❌ Complicated installation process ❌ Limited support options

Download SQuirreL SQL

Adminer

Support: Ubuntu, Debian, Arch Linux
Price: free

Adminer is a web-based GUI solution written in PHP and often considered a lightweight alternative to phpMyAdmin. Many users find it more powerful and user-friendly for daily MySQL database management tasks.

The tool offers smart code auto-completion, table creation and editing, and user account management. The Adminer project is actively developed, with new functionality added regularly.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ No installation required ✅ Single-page interface for all tasks	❌ Outdated and less intuitive UI ❌ Complex database schema migration process

Download Adminer

SQLyog

Support: Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS
Price: 14-day free trial, paid plans start from $299

SQLyog is a comprehensive GUI tool designed for managing MySQL and MariaDB databases across physical, virtual, and cloud environments. Its intuitive interface simplifies complex database tasks for both beginners and experienced developers.

SQLyog enhances database development and administration with features such as a visual schema designer, query builder, data synchronization tools, scheduled backups, and query profiling.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ User-friendly interface ✅ Visual schema designer ✅ Seamless data synchronization	❌ No advanced stored procedure debugging ❌ Incomplete and unclear documentation ❌ Some advanced features require a paid license

Download SQLyog

HeidiSQL

Support: Debian, Ubuntu, Arch Linux
Price: free

HeidiSQL is a free and open-source administration tool for relational databases, supporting MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. It features an intuitive interface for browsing and editing data, as well as creating and modifying tables, views, procedures, triggers, and scheduled events.

The application supports multiple parallel sessions, SSH tunneling for secure connections, and data import and export in various formats. Its lightweight design and comprehensive feature set make it popular among developers and database administrators.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ User-friendly interface ✅ Support for multiple database systems ✅ Secure connections via SSH tunneling	❌ Reliance on community-based support ❌ Incomplete documentation for some features ❌ Lack of advanced functionality

Download HeidiSQL

TablePlus

Support: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora
Price: trial version available, paid plans start from $99

TablePlus is a modern database management tool supporting multiple relational databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and SQL Server. Its clean, optimized interface is supported by powerful features such as inline editing, advanced filters, and a robust SQL editor.

The application supports secure connections using native libssh and TLS encryption. It is highly customizable and supports multiple tabs and windows, making database management more efficient and adaptable to individual preferences.

Key pros	Key cons
✅ Intuitive and user-centric interface ✅ Support for multiple database systems ✅ Secure connections via SSH and TLS	❌ High cost with limited scalability ❌ Autocomplete features can be intrusive ❌ Limited functionality compared to specialized tools

Download TablePlus

How to choose the best MySQL or MariaDB GUI tool?

Even with a basic knowledge of the system, you can quickly master the tasks with modern GUI-based clients. You will learn how to use them more effectively with experience.

Getting back to the LAMP software development framework, we stressed that it consisted of free components. Thus, it seems logical to focus on the free MySQL clients for Linux. However, the catch with free software is that it often has functional limitations and lacks support. Therefore, in this article, we focused on the capabilities of both free and paid solutions.

One more condition is always a big advantage when considering the best SQL client Linux version. It is the support.

If the software provides quality and comprehensive documentation, a forum where one can discuss different issues and share tips, you will work with it more efficiently. It does not matter if you are a beginner or an established professional. When reviewing different tools, we paid special attention to the factor of user support.