"Indexing..." Forever
DataGrip needs to index your databases before you can work. That's 10-30+ seconds of waiting every time. QueryGlow loads instantly.
Lightweight Alternative
QueryGlow vs DataGrip:
Do You Need an Aircraft Carrier to Go Fishing?
DataGrip is an incredible engineering feat. It's also heavy, complex, and takes 10-30 seconds to launch. QueryGlow opens instantly and shows you the data you need—without the indexing delay or the $229/year subscription.
Common DataGrip Pain Points
Resource Hog
DataGrip is a full IDE. It eats 500MB-1GB+ of RAM just sitting there. QueryGlow runs in a browser tab.
$229/Year Subscription
DataGrip commercial license is $229/year. That's $1,145 over 5 years. QueryGlow is $79 once—forever.
Interface Overload
DataGrip has 50+ buttons, panels, and menus. Great for DBAs, overwhelming for developers who just want to see the data.
The Startup Time Difference
DataGrip
10-30+ seconds
Indexing...
QueryGlow
Instant
✓
Save 10-30 seconds every time you open your database tool. That adds up.
The Subscription Trap
DataGrip is $229/year for commercial use. QueryGlow is $79 once. Here's how that adds up.
| Time | DataGrip (Commercial) | QueryGlow | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $229 | $79 | $150 |
| 2 years | $458 | $79 | $379 |
| 3 years | $687 | $79 | $608 |
| 5 years | $1,145 | $79 | $1,066 |
DataGrip pricing: $229/year commercial, $99/year personal. QueryGlow: $79 total, unlimited users.
Features DataGrip Doesn't Have
Instant Startup
No indexing, no waiting. Open QueryGlow and you're working. DataGrip needs 10-30+ seconds to index before you can do anything.
Safe Mode
Blocks DROP DATABASE, prevents DELETE without WHERE, auto-limits SELECTs to 1000 rows. DataGrip lets you run any destructive query.
AI SQL (No Extra Cost)
Built-in AI with your own API key. DataGrip's JetBrains AI Assistant requires an additional subscription.
AI Data Privacy
AI only sees your schema (table/column names). Your actual row data never leaves your server.
Web-Based Access
Self-hosted via Docker. Access from any device. Share with your team without buying more licenses.
Minimal Interface
No overwhelming menus. Just the features you use daily: browse data, run queries, import/export.
Full Feature Comparison
| Aspect | DataGrip | QueryGlow |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Year Cost (Commercial) | $1,145 | $79 total ✨ |
| Startup Time | 10-30+ seconds (indexing) | Instant ✨ |
| Memory Usage | 500MB-1GB+ | Browser tab ✨ |
| AI SQL Generation | JetBrains AI (extra $) | Built-in BYOK (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini) ✨ |
| Safe Mode | None ❌ | Blocks DROP, limits queries ✨ |
| AI Data Privacy | Unclear | Schema only—data never sent ✨ |
| Platform | Desktop only | Web-based (any device) ✨ |
| Team Access | Each user needs license | Deploy once, team accesses ✨ |
| Database Support | 20+ databases ✓ | 6 databases |
| Schema Refactoring | Yes ✓ | No |
| ER Diagrams | Yes ✓ | No |
| VCS Integration | Yes ✓ | No |
| SSH Tunnels | Yes | Yes (paste private key) |
| CSV Import/Export | Yes | Yes (INSERT/UPSERT/REPLACE) |
| Credential Encryption | Keychain integration | AES-256-GCM |
| Interface Complexity | 50+ buttons (IDE) | Minimal, focused ✨ |
5-Year Cost (Commercial)
DataGrip
$1,145
QueryGlow
$79 total ✨
Startup Time
DataGrip
10-30+ seconds (indexing)
QueryGlow
Instant ✨
Memory Usage
DataGrip
500MB-1GB+
QueryGlow
Browser tab ✨
AI SQL Generation
DataGrip
JetBrains AI (extra $)
QueryGlow
Built-in BYOK (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini) ✨
Safe Mode
DataGrip
None ❌
QueryGlow
Blocks DROP, limits queries ✨
AI Data Privacy
DataGrip
Unclear
QueryGlow
Schema only—data never sent ✨
Platform
DataGrip
Desktop only
QueryGlow
Web-based (any device) ✨
Team Access
DataGrip
Each user needs license
QueryGlow
Deploy once, team accesses ✨
Database Support
DataGrip
20+ databases ✓
QueryGlow
6 databases
Schema Refactoring
DataGrip
Yes ✓
QueryGlow
No
ER Diagrams
DataGrip
Yes ✓
QueryGlow
No
VCS Integration
DataGrip
Yes ✓
QueryGlow
No
SSH Tunnels
DataGrip
Yes
QueryGlow
Yes (paste private key)
CSV Import/Export
DataGrip
Yes
QueryGlow
Yes (INSERT/UPSERT/REPLACE)
Credential Encryption
DataGrip
Keychain integration
QueryGlow
AES-256-GCM
Interface Complexity
DataGrip
50+ buttons (IDE)
QueryGlow
Minimal, focused ✨
When DataGrip is Worth the Subscription
We're not here to trash DataGrip. It's a powerful IDE for database professionals. Here's when it makes sense.
More Databases
Supports 20+ databases including Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, and more.
Schema Refactoring
Smart rename, move, and refactor operations that update all references automatically.
ER Diagrams
Generate entity-relationship diagrams from your database schema.
VCS Integration
Built-in Git integration, version history, and diff tools for SQL files.
Bottom line: If you're a full-time DBA who needs schema refactoring, ER diagrams, and support for 20+ databases—and your company pays the bill—DataGrip is excellent. For developers who just need to browse data and run queries? QueryGlow is faster, simpler, and $1,066 cheaper over 5 years.
Which One Fits You?
Keep DataGrip If...
- You're a full-time DBA, not just a developer
- You need schema refactoring and ER diagrams
- You need Oracle, SQL Server, or MongoDB support
- Your company pays the $229/year subscription
- You don't mind the indexing wait
Switch to QueryGlow If...
- You're a developer who just wants to see the data
- You hate waiting for "Indexing..." every time
- You want AI SQL generation and Safe Mode
- You want to share access with your team
- You want to pay $79 once instead of $229/year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does DataGrip cost?
DataGrip commercial license is $229/year (first year). Personal use is $99/year. Over 5 years, commercial costs $1,145. QueryGlow is $79 once for unlimited users—no subscription, no renewals.
Why is DataGrip so slow to start?
DataGrip is built on the IntelliJ platform—the same foundation as IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, etc. It needs to index your databases for smart code completion, which takes 10-30+ seconds depending on database size. QueryGlow is a web app that loads instantly without indexing.
What can DataGrip do that QueryGlow can't?
DataGrip supports 20+ databases (including Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB), has schema refactoring tools, ER diagrams, VCS integration, query profiling, and database diff tools. If you're a full-time DBA who needs these features daily, DataGrip may be worth the subscription.
What can QueryGlow do that DataGrip can't?
QueryGlow has Safe Mode that blocks dangerous queries (DataGrip doesn't), built-in AI SQL without extra subscription, guaranteed AI data privacy (schema-only), web-based team access without per-user licensing, and instant startup with zero indexing.
Does DataGrip have AI features?
DataGrip has JetBrains AI Assistant, but it requires a separate subscription on top of the DataGrip license. QueryGlow includes AI SQL generation at no extra cost—just bring your own API key from OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google.
Can my whole team use QueryGlow with one license?
Yes. QueryGlow is $79 total for unlimited users. Deploy it once via Docker and your entire team can access it via browser. With DataGrip, each team member needs their own license ($229/year each for commercial).
Skip the Indexing. Skip the Subscription.
$79 once. Instant startup. AI included. Safe Mode included.
Compare QueryGlow with Others
See how we stack up against the alternatives.