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HeidiSQL vs MySQL WorkBench: What are the differences?

HeidiSQL and MySQL Workbench are popular database management tools used for designing, managing, and querying databases. Let's explore the key differences between them:

  1. User Interface and Design: HeidiSQL has a more lightweight and simplified interface, which makes it easier to use for beginners and users who prefer a simplified experience. On the other hand, MySQL Workbench has a more robust and feature-rich UI, providing advanced functionalities for experienced users, including debugging, automated backups, and remote management.

  2. Compatibility: HeidiSQL primarily focuses on MySQL databases and offers limited support for other database systems, such as MariaDB and PostgreSQL. MySQL Workbench, as the name suggests, is specifically designed for MySQL databases and provides comprehensive support and integration with the MySQL ecosystem, including features like MySQL Utilities and MySQL Router.

  3. Operating System Compatibility: HeidiSQL is designed to work on Windows platforms only, limiting its use for those running Mac or Linux operating systems. MySQL Workbench, however, is a cross-platform tool, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a more versatile choice for users across different operating systems.

  4. Community Support: MySQL Workbench enjoys a larger and more active community of users, developers, and contributors. This means better accessibility to guides, forums, and community-driven resources for troubleshooting, learning, and sharing experiences. HeidiSQL, on the other hand, has a smaller user base and community following, which may limit the availability of user-generated resources and support channels.

  5. Advanced Features: MySQL Workbench offers a range of advanced features that are not available in HeidiSQL. These include features like performance monitoring and optimization tools, server administration capabilities, database modeling, and collaborative functionalities. While HeidiSQL provides essential database management capabilities, it lacks these advanced features.

  6. Pricing and Licensing: HeidiSQL is an open-source tool and is available for free under the GNU General Public License. On the other hand, MySQL Workbench is a commercial tool offered by Oracle and comes with a separate licensing model. The exact pricing and licensing details for MySQL Workbench may vary based on different usage scenarios and requirements.

In summary, HeidiSQL provides a simplified and lightweight approach to manage MySQL databases on Windows platforms, whereas MySQL Workbench offers a feature-rich and cross-platform solution specifically designed for MySQL databases, with advanced functionalities, broader compatibility, and a larger supporting community. Choose HeidiSQL for a streamlined experience and MySQL Workbench for comprehensive tooling and advanced capabilities.

Advice on HeidiSQL and MySQL WorkBench

I am looking to build an azure database that connects to my power bi application. Initially, I attempted to create an Azure SQL database, then realized I needed to have SQL Server Management Service in order to manage and connect between Azure SQL <=> Power BI, but since I am on a Mac, I had to use the complex installation as a workaround.

If MySQL Workbench can solve this (as the product is available on Mac), I am more than happy to proceed with this approach if it can achieve the same goal of connecting an azure database with my Power BI application

What I am trying to achieve is fairly simple: have an online cloud database that connects to my Power BI application

I am open to any other solutions as well

Thank you

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Replies (5)
Oded Arbel
Recommends
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MySQL WorkBenchMySQL WorkBench

As others have noted, MySQL Workbench cannot be used instead of Microsoft SQL Manager to manage Azure SQL (MS-SQL Server, I hate that Microsoft uses generic category names for their products).

If you're considering switching to MySQL (Possibly using Azure MySQL managed database), then please not that unlike MS-SQL Server, you do not need the MySQL Workbench to connect your application to MysQL: just use the correct driver for your stack, and you're all set (if your stack is using the .Net platform, use MySQL Connector/NET from: https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/net/ ).

If you do want to use a graphical interface to maintain your MySQL database, then MySQL Workbench is a great choice, but you are not limited to it - as others have mentioned, there is a plethora of competing graphical database management tools that would work just as well with MySQL - one of the advantages of choosing MySQL for your stack is the huge eco-system that is built around it.

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Povilas Brilius
PHP Web Developer at GroundIn Software · | 1 upvotes · 212.1K views

As far as I know, MySQL Workbench doesn't handle Microsoft connections, including Azure, you should try Microsoft solutions such as MS VS Code.

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Lawrence Fernandes
Data Engineer at B2W Digital · | 1 upvotes · 211.6K views
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DBeaverDBeaver

Hello Could you give us a better idea of what Data Base Management System (DBMS) you are using at Azure? MySQL Workbench and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) are tools developed to exclusively manage MySQL and SQL Server, respectively. If you need to manage multiple DBMS's from a single tool, I sugget you try DBeaver. There are also another alternatives: HeidiSQL, phpMyAdmin, etc. Regarding the DBMS itself, I suggest you stick with SQL Server. In my opinion it's more stable and has more features than MySQL - especially in the Standard and Enterprise editions. Regards, Lawrence

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Julien DeFrance
Principal Software Engineer at Tophatter · | 1 upvotes · 211.5K views

Hi Aashwiin, Looking at your stack (https://stackshare.io/aashwiin82347/my-stack), it seems you are using Azure SQL Databases. I'll infer this is Microsoft SQL Server. Therefore, it certainly makes sense you stick with some of the official Microsoft Tooling to connect to it, query and administer it. You'd only be looking at MySQL Query Workbench, if you were running and connecting to a MySQL Database. - That said, could Azure MySQL (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/mysql/overview) be an option for you a this point? MySQL offers great performance. I have been running it at various companies (under AWS/RDS and AWS/Aurora) and have no reason to switch over to anything else. - Decision making-wise, how much do your want your local sql/mysql client to influence/weigh in your architecture/technology decisions, though? This can be a slippery slope. - Alternatively, other clients exist, such as "Table Plus" and allow you to connect, on Mac, to a variety of database servers, including SQL Server. It might be worth giving it a try.

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Erica Rowe
Tech Lead at eComEngine LLC · | 1 upvotes · 211.6K views
Recommends
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AzureDataStudioAzureDataStudio

Microsoft provides an application known as Azure Data Studio that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux machines. It provides the ability to manage an Azure SQL database, as well as connecting to standard SQL Server databases. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/azure-data-studio/what-is?view=sql-server-ver15

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Decisions about HeidiSQL and MySQL WorkBench
Adam Taylor

We were looking a tool that would allow us to do MySQL and PostgreSQL development/administration from a single tool. We decided on Navicat Premium because it can connect to MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQLite databases - and simultaneously. It's also compatible with Amazon RDS and Microsoft Azure, which we also use.

Moreover, we previously experienced the occasional freezing and crashing in MySQL Workbench. It also suffered from a poor design, with certain features being a bit difficult to find. Meanwhile, phpMyAdmin lacked schema visualization tools and seemed better suited to lightweight day to day transactions than some of the big jobs that we needed to do.

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Pros of HeidiSQL
Pros of MySQL WorkBench
  • 1
    Client application which is lightweight
  • 1
    Easy configuration
  • 1
    Keep queries after execution
  • 1
    Connect to multiple servers on same client
  • 1
    Run multiple queries simultaneously
  • 1
    Multiple query tabulations
  • 7
    Free
  • 7
    Simple
  • 6
    Easy to use
  • 5
    Clean UI
  • 3
    Administration and monitoring module

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Cons of HeidiSQL
Cons of MySQL WorkBench
  • 1
    Mac OS/ Linux incompatible
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    - No public GitHub repository available -

    What is HeidiSQL?

    HeidiSQL is a useful and reliable tool designed for web developers using the popular MariaDB or MySQL server, Microsoft SQL databases or PostgreSQL. It enables you to browse and edit data, create and edit tables, views, procedures, triggers and scheduled events. Also, you can export structure and data, either to SQL file, clipboard or to other servers. Read about features or see some screenshots.

    What is MySQL WorkBench?

    It enables a DBA, developer, or data architect to visually design, model, generate, and manage databases. It includes everything a data modeler needs for creating complex ER models, forward and reverse engineering, and also delivers key features for performing difficult change management and documentation tasks that normally require much time and effort.

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    What companies use HeidiSQL?
    What companies use MySQL WorkBench?
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    What tools integrate with HeidiSQL?
    What tools integrate with MySQL WorkBench?
    What are some alternatives to HeidiSQL and MySQL WorkBench?
    Navicat
    Powerful database management & design tool for Win, Mac & Linux. With intuitive GUI, user manages MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle & PostgreSQL DB easily.
    MySQL
    The MySQL software delivers a very fast, multi-threaded, multi-user, and robust SQL (Structured Query Language) database server. MySQL Server is intended for mission-critical, heavy-load production systems as well as for embedding into mass-deployed software.
    DBeaver
    It is a free multi-platform database tool for developers, SQL programmers, database administrators and analysts. Supports all popular databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle, DB2, SQL Server, Sybase, Teradata, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, etc.
    phpMyAdmin
    As a portable web application written primarily in PHP, it has become one of the most popular MySQL administration tools, especially for web hosting services.
    DataGrip
    A cross-platform IDE that is aimed at DBAs and developers working with SQL databases.
    See all alternatives