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HeidiSQL alternative:
A comprehensive comparison
with dbForge Edge

A list of the most popular cross-database management tools would not be complete without HeidiSQL, a GUI-based client application that covers MySQL, MariaDB, Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite, and PostgreSQL. But what if you are looking for something more powerful feature-wise? We believe you might find a solution in dbForge Edge, a multidatabase suite that can pleasantly surprise even the most demanding users.

dbForge Edge provides tools for a wide variety of database-related tasks:

  • Effective SQL coding: context-sensitive code autocompletion, relevant object suggestions, extensive formatting options, smart refactoring and debugging
  • Visual building of complex queries without coding
  • Query performance tuning
  • Identification of differences in database schemas and table data
  • Database migration and synchronization
  • Flexible data management
  • Data analysis and reporting
  • Generation of meaningful, column-intelligent test data
  • Generation of database documentation
  • Database administration

Introduction to HeidiSQL

So what is it about HeidiSQL that makes it so attractive? First of all, it is free and open-source. Second, it provides the user with the database management essentials. Finally, it has a rather clean interface. All this, taken together, makes HeidiSQL a nice choice for beginners and/or users that don't have extensive functional demands.

The advantages of HeidiSQL

  • No costs
  • Easy configuration
  • Active and supportive community
  • Parallel connections and sessions
  • Data and object management tools
  • User management tools
HeidiSQL
dbForge Edge

dbForge Edge:
Your best alternative to HeidiSQL

dbForge Edge is a multidatabase suite comprising four all-in-one IDEs for the most popular database systems: SQL Server, MySQL (and MariaDB), Oracle, and PostgreSQL. And it delivers quite a few capabilities and added value—just take a look below for a brief product tour.

The advantages of dbForge Edge

  • Four integrated IDEs packing an advanced set of features
  • Free Express Editions with basic features
  • Free 30-day trial
  • Continuously updated comprehensive documentation for each IDE
  • Helpful blog and video tutorials
  • Responsive support service

The main features of dbForge Edge

dbForge Edge was designed to help you effectively handle a rich variety of tasks comprising
database design, development, testing, and administration, as well as data analysis and management.

Enhanced SQL Coding

dbForge Edge provides you with some of the most extensive SQL coding tools you can get, including the following:

  • Context-aware code completion and object suggestions
  • Instant syntax validation
  • Predefined and custom code snippets
  • Rich formatting options
  • Smart refactoring with auto-correction of references to renamed objects
  • Effective debugging of T-SQL scripts, stored procedures, functions, and triggers

Data and Schema Comparison

dbForge Edge also delivers a number of features to help you always keep your database objects and actual data in sync:

  • Locate and analyze table data differences
  • View data differences per record
  • Save and load comparison settings
  • Generate data synchronization scripts
  • Produce comparison reports in CSV, HTML, and XLS
  • Automate comparison and synchronization tasks

Database Design

Now what about database design? Well, it's never been easier with entity-relationship diagrams at your service. You can visualize database structures and logical relations between tables, edit database objects directly on diagrams, and group logically related objects using containers.

  • Create ER diagrams of any complexity
  • Visually design and modify database structures
  • Add and view foreign key relationships between tables
  • View database objects and their properties
  • Perform reverse engineering of ER diagrams

Visual Query Building

And what if you don't fancy coding all that much, and you prefer the visual way of handling your queries? That won't be a problem with the integrated Query Builder at hand.

  • Build queries of any complexity on diagrams without coding
  • Work with a variety of query types and subqueries
  • Edit JOINs and WHERE conditions visually
  • Build query execution plans directly from query documents
  • Export query results to files

Test Data Generation

Want to make your database testing safe for your data? Use Data Generator to produce any volume of meaningful data for testing. Its flexible configuration options allow generating column-intelligent data that you can quickly populate your databases with.

  • Produce large volumes of realistic test data
  • Keep your data consistent across multiple tables
  • Preserve inter-column data dependencies
  • Create, customize, and share custom generators
  • Populate your databases with test data in a few clicks
  • Automate and schedule routine tasks

Query Profiling

We'll finish this product tour with Query Profiler, which will always help you keep an eye on the performance of your SQL queries. You will also be able to optimize it with a slew of handy tools.

  • Locate query performance bottlenecks
  • Check the EXPLAIN plan and profiling results
  • Compare differences in query profiling results visually
  • Trace queries and diagnose performance issues

Feature comparison table

The following table contains a detailed feature-by-feature comparison of dbForge Edge v2.0
and HeidiSQL 12.5.0.6680. For quick navigation, please use the side menu.

SQL Editing & Execution

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
SQL editor with syntax coloring
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Automatic SQL syntax check
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Code outlining
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Customizable SQL formatting
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Execute current statement
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Quick access to favorite templates from the SQL editor
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Bookmarks
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Text search
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Document Outline window for quick navigation through large scripts
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
One-step access to the database object editor from the code ('Go to definition')
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
SQL history
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Execution warnings
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
GUI transaction support
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No

Code Completion

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Context-aware code completion
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Code snippets and Snippets Manager
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Automatic SQL syntax check
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
One-click access to schema object definitions
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
On-the-fly renaming of database objects
No
Yes
No
No
No
Auto-generation of table aliases
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Quick information about database objects
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Parameter information for stored routines
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Auto-generation of JOIN clauses
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Visual Query Builder

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Support for the SELECT statement
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Support for the INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
State-of-the-art diagrams with zooming and keyboard support
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Diagram preview and printing
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Visual addition of sub-queries to any part of the main query
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Query outline (displayed in the Document Outline window)
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Visual editing of sub-queries
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Expression builder for creating complex conditions
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Drag-and-drop tables
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Copy/Paste tables to diagrams
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Undo/Redo
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No

Database Design

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Visual Database Designer
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Visualization of tables, views, stored procedures, and functions
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Easy access to database objects for viewing their properties
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Support for IDEF1X notations
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Support for IE notations
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Customizable diagram view with skin support
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Smart ER diagram layout
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Diagram export to different image formats
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Search for database objects on the diagram
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Reorganization of diagram shapes with containers
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Customizable diagram printing with a rich set of options
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Optional display of table constraints, indexes, and triggers
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Integration with the Document Outline window
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Diagram navigation with the Diagram Overview window
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Notes for adding comments to the diagram
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Zoom in/out
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Save/Load diagrams
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No

Table Designer

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Flat table editor
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Convenient editor for foreign keys
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Partitioning
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Full-text search on the column grid
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Preview of changes in schemas
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Heuristics that helps define the data types of new columns
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No

Object Editor

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Check constraints
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Foreign keys
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Indexes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Stored functions
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Stored procedures
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Tables
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Triggers
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Views
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Undo option for the object editor
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes

Debugger

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Script debugging
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Step Into, Step Over, and Step Out commands for step-by-step execution
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Breakpoints for procedures, functions, triggers, and scripts
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Breakpoints window
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Call Stack window with navigation
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Watches window for the evaluation of variables
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No

Database Explorer

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Multiple database connections
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Browse and navigate through objects
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Detailed object properties and data browsing in the Object Viewer window
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dependency tree browsing for each object
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Quick template script generation for selected objects: SELECT, INSERT, etc.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
'Send To' command for quick sending of tables to Query Builder, Data Report, and other tools
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Refactoring of database objects
No
Yes
No
No
No

Data Editor

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Copying of data with column headers for quick paste to spreadsheets
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Custom data filters of any complexity
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Data Viewer window for browsing images, RTF, and binary cell values
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Date/time editor with a visual interface
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Foreign key lookup editor for easy editing of fields referencing other tables
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Free copying of any block of data to the clipboard
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Full-text search (Ctrl+F) in the data grid
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Graphical card view
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Grouping by arbitrary columns
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Incremental search (Ctrl+I) through the data grid
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Large objects (LOB) editor
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Multi-table query result set editing
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Paginal data browsing for large result sets
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Data printing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Quick filter available for each data cell
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Record numbering option
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Read-only state indication
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Report, chart, and pivot building directly from the data editor
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Visible column picker
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Schema & Data Comparison

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Comparison and synchronization of data in databases of virtually any size
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Comparison of tables, views, procedures, functions, triggers, and events
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Custom comparison keys
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Filtering of comparison results
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Generation of data synchronization scripts
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Viewing of data differences per record
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Exclusion of tables and records from synchronization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Saving and loading of comparison settings
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Command-line interface for data comparison and synchronization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Generation of accurate comparison reports in HTML and Excel formats
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Generation of comments
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Specific options for tables, script objects, triggers, indexes, and constraints
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Inclusion\exclusion of objects by mask
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Schema & Data Compare: Save Command Line
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Data Export

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
CSV
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
XML
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
TXT
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
XLS
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
XLSX
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
PDF
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
DBF
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
HTML
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
RTF
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
JSON
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Google Sheets
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
MDB (Microsoft Access)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
ODBC
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
SQL
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Data export from multiple tables
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Data export from the command line
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Data export templates
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Data Import

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
CSV
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
XML
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
TXT
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
XLS
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
XLSX
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
DBF
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
JSON
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Google Sheets
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
MDB (Microsoft Access)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
ODBC
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Data import from the command line
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Data import templates
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Database Projects

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
New project wizard with import from an existing database
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Project Explorer window for managing project files
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Schema View window for browsing logical project structures
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Project export to one of the multiple scripts
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Multiple build configurations
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Single-click project deployment on the server
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Comparison of projects with live databases
No
Yes
No
No
No

Data Analysis

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Display of table data with parent-child dependencies in Master-Detail Browser
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Database diagrams
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Data report generation wizard
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Data report designer
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Pivot table designer
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Chart building wizard
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Data search on a live database
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Automated generation and distribution of reports from the command line
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Data Reports: Save Command Line
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Source Control

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Integration with Git, GitHub, SVN
Yes
No
No
No
No
Shared and dedicated database development models
Yes
No
No
No
No
Conflict resolution: Get Local and Get Remote
Yes
No
No
No
No
Version control of static data
Yes
No
No
No
No
History of changes
Yes
No
No
No
No

Performance Tuning

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Visual SQL EXPLAIN plan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Session statistics
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Query plan displayed in the tree view
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Profiling history that can be saved for further analysis
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Comparison of profiling results with highlighted differences
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Printing of profiling results
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Test Data Generation

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Support for all column data types
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Multiple generators with data customization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
SQL data integrity support
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Multiple ways to populate databases with test data
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Meaningful generators
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
User-defined generators
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Real-time preview of generated data
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Data Generator: Save Command Line
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Database Documenter

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Broad picture of database structures
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Rich customization features
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Export of documentation to HTML
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Export of documentation to PDF
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Export of documentation to Markdown
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Customization of documentation with style templates
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
View inter-object and inter-database dependencies
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Documenter: Save Command Line
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No

Administration

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Copy databases
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Backup/Restore databases
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Database snapshots
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Database backup to SQL and ZIP
No
Yes
No
No
No
Database backup as a scripts folder
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Backup: Save Command Line
No
Yes
No
No
No

User & Session Management

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Comprehensive Security Manager for handling user accounts and privileges
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Session Manager for monitoring active server connections and tracing user sessions
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Server Monitor
Yes
No
No
No
No

User Interface

dbForge Edge
HeidiSQL
Features
SQL Server
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Start Page with fast access to main product features
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Rich user settings
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
UI skins
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Customizable window layout
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Tool windows with 'auto-hide' and 'float' modes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Multiple shortcut schemes with full shortcut customization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Syntax highlighting customization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tabbed groups for documents
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Toolbar customization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Wizard for sharing common code standards and templates
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

FAQ

Your ultimate multidatabase solution

dbForge Edge by Devart is a bundle of four advanced database IDEs, whose unique features make it invaluable for the most versatile users. So if you need to handle a diversity of tasks across multiple databases, dbForge Edge might be exactly what you are looking for.

Download dbForge Edge for a free trial today!

Get a free 30-day trial of dbForge Edge to evaluate all of its capabilities hidden under a sleek user interface.
Download

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