MySQL is a relational database management system. It provides a very fast, multi-threaded, multi-user, and robust SQL (Structured Query Language) database server. MySQL is the most popular open source database, and is the database component of the LAMP software stack. LAMP consists of the Apache web server, MySQL and PHP, the essential building blocks to run a general purpose web server. MySQL is used and championed by many large organizations including Google, Facebook, the BBC, Intel, Sun, SAP, Dell, AMD, Novell, Veritas and many others.
With the increasing popularity of MySQL, it is not surprising that developers have written useful tools which help users to monitor, query, administer, troubleshoot, and optimize MySQL databases.
To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 23 useful MySQL tools. Hopefully, there will be something of interest for anyone interested in managing MySQL databases with the minimum of fuss.
Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion.
Click the links in the table to learn more about each tool.
| MySQL Tools | |
|---|---|
| DBeaver | Universal database tool |
| phpMyAdmin | MySQL web administration tool |
| MySQL Workbench | Complete visual database design tool |
| mycli | Command line interface for MySQL, MariaDB, and Percona |
| gh-ost | GitHub's Online Schema Migrations for MySQL |
| Beekeeper Studio | Cross-platform SQL editor and database manager |
| usql | Command-line database client |
| sqlit | lazygit of SQL databases |
| MySQLTuner | Analyse MySQL performance and suggest configuration changes |
| Harlequin | Easy, fast, and beautiful database client for the terminal |
| DbGate | Database manager for MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB |
| Percona Toolkit | Essential command-line utilities for MySQL |
| SQuirreL SQL Client | Graphical SQL client written in Java |
| Adminer | Full-featured tool for managing content in MySQL database |
| dblab | Interactive client for PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite3, and more |
| MyDumper | Parallel utilities for fast MySQL database backups and restores |
| Antares | SQL client based on Electron.js and Vue.js |
| XtraBackup | Backup utility for MySQL |
| innotop | Real-time, advanced investigation tool |
| Skeema | Manage MySQL and MariaDB schema changes |
| vi-sql | Terminal SQL client for browsing, querying and editing databases |
| MySQL Shell | Advanced MySQL console for scripting and database administration |
| Sequeler | Native Linux SQL client built in Vala and Gtk |
This article has been updated to reflect the changes outlined in our recent announcement.
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You left out SQuirrel. It’s written in Java so is cross platform too. Personally I use DBeaver the most.
The purpose of our Group Tests is not to list every application, but to identify the best-of-breed. We’ve tried to include a variety of MySQL tools, not just SQL clients.
We prefer native Linux software, rather than Java-based software. And there’s better native open source SQL Linux clients than SQuirreL. But on this occasion, we’ve revisited SQuirreL and decided to include it in the Group Test.
Good call, I remember using SQuirrel in the past. Not a patch on DBeaver though.
It’s a shame mytop was discontinued, although it’s still available to download. But thanks for alerting me to innotop, which on the face it it looks very interesting.
Really nice list of MySQL Tools.
Although the article “15 Best Free and Open Source Linux MySQL Tools” provides insightful information, it ignores a noteworthy tool.
The purpose of this article is to recommend the finest free and open source software. Your comment has been edited because you are trying to advertise proprietary software. That is not permitted in the Comments section for this post.
So John was trying to spam commercial software?
Yes, egregious behaviour.