DbGate

SQL and noSQL database manager

4.8•24 reviews•

32 followers

SQL and noSQL database manager

4.8•24 reviews•

32 followers

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DbGate is a cross-platform SQL and NoSQL client that runs on Windows, macOS, Linux as desktop app, or in Docker - and then entirely in your browser.

DbGate Reviews

The community submitted 24 reviews to tell us what they like about DbGate, what DbGate can do better, and more.

4.8

Based on 24 reviews

Review DbGate?

Reviewers praise DbGate’s lightweight feel, clean UI, and fast, cross‑platform workflow for handling both SQL and NoSQL in one place. It’s favored over heavier tools for quick connections, intuitive tabbed editing, and reliable imports/exports; teams like SSH access, query history, and schema diffing. Noted gaps include occasional flaky import/export errors, limited MongoDB depth, weaker community vs. DBeaver/DataGrip, and better handling of complex multi‑statement queries. Users also want clearer advanced docs, richer visual builders, credential scripting, and performance dashboards. Overall, a stable, efficient, and time‑saving everyday client.

+21

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Pros

clean interface (11)

lightweight (11)

cross-platform (9)

fast performance (9)

SQL and NoSQL support (9)

data import/export (8)

open source (8)

autocomplete (6)

free version (6)

query history tracking (4)

Cons

limited tutorials (5)

Pros

Cons

Reviews

Most Informative

Founder Reviews

Other Reviews (24)

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•1 review

What's great

I started testing DbGate looking for a modern, practical database client for daily work — and honestly, it quickly became one of the tools I open the most during the week.

What won me over first was the balance between lightweight performance and real power. The interface is clean, fast, and doesn’t get in your way — you connect, browse, query, and keep moving. For anyone who constantly switches between environments (dev/staging/prod), that matters a lot because it removes friction. It feels like a tool designed with the user in mind.

In my case, I mainly use it for PostgreSQL and Firebird, and DbGate handles both very well — from exploring schemas to running queries and validating results quickly. I also like how it organizes connections and how smooth it feels when you’re jumping between multiple databases and tasks. It helps you stay productive without losing context.

What I really like:

A quick, straightforward workflow to connect and get to work
A clean, modern UI with a strong focus on productivity
A solid experience for everyday database work (queries, checks, validation)

DbGate gives me a strong impression of a product that’s actively evolving, with real attention to UX and to what matters most: making database work easier for people who handle data daily. It’s the kind of tool I recommend if you want something functional and enjoyable, without the heaviness and complexity that some traditional clients can bring.

If I could suggest one thing, it would be to keep expanding a few productivity refinements for more advanced scenarios (especially for those working across multiple databases and repetitive routines). But even as it stands today, it already delivers a lot, with an above-average user experience.

Bottom line: modern, stable, and efficient. I genuinely enjoy using it and plan to keep it in my workflow.

Are query history and tabs intuitive or confusing in practice?

In practice, the tabs feel intuitive and make it easy to keep multiple queries open without losing context. The query history is genuinely useful for day-to-day work—especially when iterating on SQL across databases—because it helps you quickly revisit and re-run recent statements without rebuilding everything from scratch.
If I had one suggestion, it would be adding a bit more “power-user” control (e.g., easier pinning/favoriting of history items or clearer grouping by connection/session), but overall the workflow is fast, clean, and easy to follow.

Is the plugin system mature and easy to extend?

The plugin system feels promising and practical, and the overall architecture seems designed with extensibility in mind. For typical needs (custom workflows, small enhancements, internal tooling), it looks reasonable to extend without fighting the platform.
That said, I’d love to see continued growth in “maturity signals” for long-term plugin development—more official examples/templates, clearer versioning/compatibility guidance, and a larger ecosystem. Even so, it’s already a solid foundation and moving in the right direction.

How dependable is Docker-based browser access for teams?

Docker-based browser access has been dependable in my experience, especially once you set up the basics properly (persistent volumes, stable config, and a reverse proxy/TLS if needed). For a team, it’s a practical way to standardize access and avoid “works on my machine” issues.
Like any browser-based DB tool, the reliability is strongly tied to infrastructure (network stability, resource limits, and authentication setup), but once deployed correctly it’s stable and convenient for shared environments and quick access.

Ratings

Ease of use

Reliability

Value for money

Customization

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4 views15d ago

•1 review

DbGate is a lightweight, fast, and user-friendly SQL client. It launches quickly, has a clean interface, and handles browsing and editing data smoothly even with larger datasets. One issue I’ve encountered is with complex SQL queries — for example queries using WITH CTEs combined with multiple UNIONs. DbGate doesn’t always recognize the whole statement as a single query. Instead, it seems to treat individual parts separately, so pressing Run current query often executes only the first SELECT. The workaround is to manually select the entire query block and run it as a selection, which works fine. It would be great if DbGate could automatically detect and execute these kinds of queries in one go. To keep this review concise, I’ll send an anonymized example query by email rather than pasting it here.

What's great

fast performance (9)lightweight (11)clean interface (11)spreadsheet-style data editing (4)

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15 views4mo ago

•1 review

I use a variety of databases in my work—PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, to name a few—and managing them with separate tools can be a headache. DbGate has been a huge help by bringing everything together in one centralized platform. One feature I really value is the ability to run SQL Server directly on a Mac through DbGate, eliminating the need to remote into a Windows machine. It’s a big improvement for my workflow. The schema and database comparison module is another feature I use often. It lets me compare tables, indexes, constraints, views, and stored procedures with ease. I also appreciate the ability to filter by changes (e.g., added, removed, modified) and selectively sync only what’s needed. Other helpful functionalities include importing and exporting data (in formats like CSV and SQL), schema diffing, and deploying updates across environments. These tools streamline a lot of the challenges that come with migrations and deployments. There’s room for improvement in a few areas. For instance, import/export scripts occasionally fail, and the error messages can be too generic to be helpful. Additionally, the tool’s community and ecosystem, while growing, aren’t as robust as what you’d find with platforms like DBeaver, DataGrip, or Azure Data Studio. Overall, DbGate has already made managing my databases much easier. With a few enhancements and feature expansions, it has the potential to stand toe-to-toe with the leading tools in the database management space.

What's great

engine-agnostic (3)SQL and NoSQL support (9)web-based deployment (2)data import/export (8)

What needs improvement

limited tutorials (5)

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13 views5mo ago

•1 review

DbGate has become my go-to tool for managing all my databases. It’s fast, clean, and incredibly intuitive. I love that it supports multiple database engines in one place, so I don’t have to juggle different clients. The interface is straightforward, tabs and query editor are smooth, and exports/imports just work without fuss. What stands out: • Cross‑platform and lightweight  • Unified support for SQL and NoSQL  • Powerful query editor with formatting and autocomplete  • Visual data browsing and editing that feels effortless  • Reliable backups, imports/exports, and schema viewing Whether I’m doing quick queries or deeper admin tasks, DbGate is stable and efficient. It saves me time every day. Highly recommended!

What's great

fast performance (9)lightweight (11)cross-platform (9)clean interface (11)autocomplete (6)spreadsheet-style data editing (4)SQL and NoSQL support (9)data import/export (8)

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4 views6mo ago

•1 review

After trying a lot of database and GUI tools(Table plus, Pgadmin, Azure data studio, etc), Dbgate has become my go-to tool for a few key reasons. First, the interface is incredibly intuitive, allowing me to accomplish tasks with fewer clicks. Features are placed exactly where you'd expect them to be, which really speeds up my workflow. Another significant advantage is its snappy and responsive performance; it feels lightweight and fast, without the lag I've experienced with other database clients. The product is very stable and performant. Connecting to various databases, including managed ones on Azure, is straightforward and hassle-free. I often work with JSON fields, and dbgate makes it simple to view and edit this data directly. Query management is very well thought out. The ability to save and organize my frequently used queries and view history is fantastic for staying organized and quickly revisiting past work. What Could Be Improved: 1. It would be helpful to have more advanced ways to manage database credentials. For instance, allowing a password to be sourced from a command/script would be a great addition. 2. Lack of a Performance Dashboard: Currently, if I need to monitor database transactions, I/O, or active connections, I have to rely on other utilities. Integrating a dashboard for real-time monitoring of a remote database's health and performance would make dbgate a more comprehensive, all-in-one tool. Pgadmin has some dashboards and it doesn't require you to install any extensions.

What's great

fast performance (9)lightweight (11)clean interface (11)query history tracking (4)

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7 views5mo ago

•1 review

I recently shifted my workflow from Windows to macOS, and one of my biggest challenges was finding replacements for Windows-only tools—especially SQL Server Management Studio. Many SQL clients gave me issues with Kerberos and integrated Windows Authentication, but DbGate worked right out of the box. Since then, it’s become one of my go-to tools. DbGate is lightweight, open-source, and runs seamlessly across Windows, macOS, and Linux. I love that it lets me manage both SQL and NoSQL databases in one place—running queries, editing or visualizing tables, and handling imports/exports is all super straightforward. The plugin system also adds a ton of flexibility. At first, I had to adjust to the interface after years of SSMS, but now it feels natural and has become a permanent part of my toolkit. Simple, powerful, and reliable—DbGate saves me time every day. I’d highly recommend it to developers, DBAs, and anyone in need of a versatile cross-platform database manager.

What's great

lightweight (11)cross-platform (9)open source (8)SQL and NoSQL support (9)data import/export (8)plugin system (2)

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6mo ago

•1 review

I mainly use DbGate to manage PostgreSQL databases. It’s part of my daily workflow for editing records, running queries, and making occasional schema adjustments. I especially appreciate the support for connecting to Amazon RDS using IAM authentication, which makes managing secure access much simpler. What I like most is that it’s an open-source tool with a clean interface, support for both table and form editing, and quick import/export options (CSV, JSON, Excel). SQL autocomplete and query history are also huge time savers.

What's great

open source (8)clean interface (11)autocomplete (6)data import/export (8)query history tracking (4)

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3 views6mo ago

•1 review

I use DbGate mainly to manage PostgreSQL databases for my small development team (3 people). We rely on it for daily data editing, running custom queries, and occasional schema changes. The ability to connect to multiple database environments through SSH easily has streamlined our workflow, especially when switching between production and staging. Some features I appreciate most are the clean and intuitive interface, support for both tabular and form data editing, and quick import/export tools (CSV, JSON, Excel). Having SQL autocomplete and query history is a big timesaver for us. I also like the cross-platform support since my team uses both Windows and Linux. If I could suggest anything to improve, it would be more in-depth documentation for advanced features and the addition of more visual query-building tools in the free version. Still, DbGate has become our favorite open-source DB manager for daily PostgreSQL tasks. Highly recommended for teams needing something light, flexible, and modern!

What's great

cross-platform (9)open source (8)clean interface (11)autocomplete (6)data import/export (8)query history tracking (4)

What needs improvement

limited tutorials (5)

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3 views6mo ago

•1 review

I’m using the community (free) version of DbGate, and I must say the features it offers for a free database client are truly powerful and helpful. Many of the features that are usually only available in paid versions of similar tools are provided by DbGate for free. Honestly, DbGate has been a great help for me—it’s lightweight, fast, and its features make my work easier. If I may give one note, I often work with multiple databases open at the same time, and I usually handle two environments (staging and production) that use the same database names. While the sidebar helps distinguish them, the tabs can sometimes be confusing. It would be great if there were a way to visually differentiate databases with the same name but from different connections/environments. You’re awesome, DbGate team!

What's great

fast performance (9)lightweight (11)free version (6)

What needs improvement

confusing tabs (1)

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5 views6mo ago

•1 review

I primarily use DbGate to learn and practice SQL because it feels more intuitive and beginner-friendly than the default MySQL tools. The clean interface, support for multiple databases in one place, and the SQL editor’s syntax highlighting and autocomplete features make the learning process much smoother. Compared to MySQL Workbench, DbGate starts up faster, uses fewer resources, and feels much lighter overall. One area for improvement would be the addition of more built-in tutorials or example projects for beginners, as well as more comprehensive documentation for advanced features. Overall, DbGate is an excellent choice for anyone looking to learn SQL or manage databases quickly without the hassle of a complicated setup.

What's great

fast performance (9)lightweight (11)clean interface (11)autocomplete (6)syntax highlighting (3)

What needs improvement

limited tutorials (5)

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5 views6mo ago