Nothing to install per machine
HeidiSQL is a desktop app you install on each machine. QueryGlow runs in the browser on any OS from one install on your server.
QueryGlow vs HeidiSQL:
Web-Based, Cross-Platform, Self-Hosted
HeidiSQL is fast and free, with builds for Windows, Linux and macOS. It is also a desktop app with no AI assistant (as of September 2026), installed on every machine. QueryGlow is web-based and self-hosted, with schema-only AI. It works in any browser, $79 once for your whole team.
Open it in a browser. No desktop app to install. Works on Mac, Linux and Windows. Try the live demo first: the real app on a sample database, read-only, AI switched off, no signup.
“Beautiful interface and very intuitive.”
Jean-Francois, Mildor Violon, verified customer
https://db.your-company.com
Where QueryGlow differs from HeidiSQL
AI writes your SQL
HeidiSQL has no AI assistant (as of September 2026). QueryGlow writes queries from plain English with your own OpenAI, Anthropic or Google key. Your schema is sent, never your rows.
Your rows stay on your server
QueryGlow is self-hosted. No cloud, no telemetry, no tracking. Centralized AES-256-GCM encrypted connections.
Where HeidiSQL and QueryGlow Part Ways
One Install per Machine
HeidiSQL ships native builds for Windows, Linux and macOS (macOS arm64 build in v12.21, August 2026). Every developer installs and sets it up on each machine. QueryGlow runs in any browser from one install on your server.
No AI Assistance
HeidiSQL's feature list has no AI integration (September 2026). You write every query by hand, with code completion. QueryGlow writes SQL from plain English with your own key.
Single-User Desktop
Built for one developer, one machine. Connections are stored locally. Onboarding a teammate means another install.
TimescaleDB and CockroachDB Not Listed
HeidiSQL does not list TimescaleDB or CockroachDB as supported systems. QueryGlow lists both as engines, next to PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB and SQLite.
Platform Check
Current platform status for both tools. HeidiSQL builds as listed on heidisql.com and its download page (September 2026).
| Platform | HeidiSQL | QueryGlow |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Native build | Any browser |
| Linux | Native build | Any browser |
| macOS | Native arm64 build (v12.21) | Any browser including Safari |
| Setup per machine | Install and configure on each one | None: one install on your server |
Desktop App vs Web App
HeidiSQL (Desktop)
Native Delphi/Lazarus application
- Builds for Windows, Linux and macOS
- Install per developer, per device
- Connections stored locally, not shared
- A new teammate means a new install and a new setup
TEAM-READY
QueryGlow (Web)
Deploy once, access from any browser
- One install on your server covers your whole team, behind one shared login
- The same app on Mac, Linux, Windows
- Connections centralized and AES-256-GCM encrypted
- Add connections: paste a connection URL or find local servers
- A new teammate needs the URL and the login
What running it takes
A Linux server with Docker (512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB recommended), a domain pointing at it for HTTPS, and a non-root user with sudo. ./queryglow install sets it up. ./queryglow update backs up first, checks that the new version is serving and rolls back on its own if it is not. ./queryglow doctor checks the install.
What QueryGlow Adds
AI SQL Generation
Describe what you want in plain English. Use your own OpenAI, Anthropic or Google key, entered in the app. No markup. The AI sees your schema, never your rows.
Web-Based Access
HeidiSQL is a desktop app. QueryGlow is a URL. Open it in any browser on any OS.
EXPLAIN Visualizer
Visual query plans for all six engines, color coded by cost or time, with CREATE INDEX hints on PostgreSQL and MySQL family databases.
TimescaleDB & CockroachDB
HeidiSQL does not list TimescaleDB or CockroachDB as supported systems; QueryGlow lists both as engines.
Safe Mode
Always blocks DROP DATABASE; blocks DELETE/UPDATE without WHERE by default; adds LIMIT 1000 to a SELECT without one; asks before writes on production connections.
Team Connection Sharing
Centralized encrypted connections for your whole team on one install. MySQL and PostgreSQL JSON columns show as JSON text you can edit.
Full Feature Comparison
| Aspect | HeidiSQL | QueryGlow |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Native desktop app | Web app on your server, used in the browser |
| Platform Support | Windows, Linux and macOS (macOS arm64 build in v12.21, Aug 2026) | Any browser, any OS |
| AI SQL Generation | None (Sept 2026) | Ask AI with your own OpenAI, Anthropic or Google key, entered in the app |
| Pricing | Free, open source | $79 once, whole team |
| Team Access | Per-device install | One install, one shared login |
| Databases Supported | MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL, Redshift | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB, TimescaleDB |
| TimescaleDB | Not listed as supported | Supported |
| CockroachDB | Not listed as supported | Supported |
| MS SQL Server | Supported | Not supported |
| SSH Tunnel | Built-in | Built-in (key and passphrase; host key pinned on first use) |
| Connection Storage | Local per device | Centralized (AES-256-GCM encrypted) |
| Responsive Layout | Desktop window only | Responsive web layout |
| Query Guard | Asks before UPDATE/DELETE without WHERE | Safe Mode: DROP DATABASE always blocked; DROP TABLE, TRUNCATE and DELETE/UPDATE without WHERE blocked by default; asks before writes on production |
| SQL Autocomplete | Customizable syntax highlighting and code completion | Tables, columns with types, dot notation |
| Table Structure Editing | Full table designer (columns, indexes, keys) | Add, rename, retype, drop columns (drag to reorder on MySQL/MariaDB); exact SQL preview before execute |
| EXPLAIN Visualizer | No built-in visual plan viewer | Visual query plans; index hints on PostgreSQL and MySQL family |
| Project Maturity | Since 2002 | Launched 2025 |
Architecture
HeidiSQL
Native desktop app
QueryGlow
Web app on your server, used in the browser
Platform Support
HeidiSQL
Windows, Linux and macOS (macOS arm64 build in v12.21, Aug 2026)
QueryGlow
Any browser, any OS
AI SQL Generation
HeidiSQL
None (Sept 2026)
QueryGlow
Ask AI with your own OpenAI, Anthropic or Google key, entered in the app
Pricing
HeidiSQL
Free, open source
QueryGlow
$79 once, whole team
Team Access
HeidiSQL
Per-device install
QueryGlow
One install, one shared login
Databases Supported
HeidiSQL
MariaDB, MySQL, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL, Redshift
QueryGlow
PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB, TimescaleDB
TimescaleDB
HeidiSQL
Not listed as supported
QueryGlow
Supported
CockroachDB
HeidiSQL
Not listed as supported
QueryGlow
Supported
MS SQL Server
HeidiSQL
Supported
QueryGlow
Not supported
SSH Tunnel
HeidiSQL
Built-in
QueryGlow
Built-in (key and passphrase; host key pinned on first use)
Connection Storage
HeidiSQL
Local per device
QueryGlow
Centralized (AES-256-GCM encrypted)
Responsive Layout
HeidiSQL
Desktop window only
QueryGlow
Responsive web layout
Query Guard
HeidiSQL
Asks before UPDATE/DELETE without WHERE
QueryGlow
Safe Mode: DROP DATABASE always blocked; DROP TABLE, TRUNCATE and DELETE/UPDATE without WHERE blocked by default; asks before writes on production
SQL Autocomplete
HeidiSQL
Customizable syntax highlighting and code completion
QueryGlow
Tables, columns with types, dot notation
Table Structure Editing
HeidiSQL
Full table designer (columns, indexes, keys)
QueryGlow
Add, rename, retype, drop columns (drag to reorder on MySQL/MariaDB); exact SQL preview before execute
EXPLAIN Visualizer
HeidiSQL
No built-in visual plan viewer
QueryGlow
Visual query plans; index hints on PostgreSQL and MySQL family
Project Maturity
HeidiSQL
Since 2002
QueryGlow
Launched 2025
HeidiSQL features as listed on heidisql.com, September 2026.
See it on a real database before you decide
$79 once for your whole team, every 1.x update included.
Try the live demo
Stripe checkout. You'll need a GitHub account for the repo invite. No refunds, so try the read-only demo first.
Which One Fits You?
Honest framing: there are real reasons to stay with HeidiSQL, and real reasons to switch. Both connect to MySQL and MariaDB (if MariaDB is your daily driver, our look at MariaDB GUI tools goes deeper), but they part ways on platforms, AI, and team access.
Stick with HeidiSQL If...
- You work solo on your own machine. It's genuinely fast and free
- You need MS SQL Server, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL or Redshift (QueryGlow does not support these)
- You want a project that has been around since 2002
- Free ($0) vs $79 is a hard line for you
- You don't need AI, web access, or team sharing
Switch to QueryGlow If...
- Your team mixes operating systems and wants one shared setup
- You want AI to write SQL from plain English and a visual EXPLAIN to read the plan
- You share database access with a team
- You use TimescaleDB or CockroachDB
- You need to reach your DB from any browser, not one installed machine
- You want centralized, encrypted connection management
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HeidiSQL available for Mac?
Yes. HeidiSQL ships a native macOS arm64 build (v12.21, August 2026) next to its Windows and Linux builds. QueryGlow takes a different route: it runs on your server and opens in any browser, Safari on macOS included, so every machine on your team uses the same app without an install.
Is QueryGlow free like HeidiSQL?
No. QueryGlow is $79 once for your whole team, on every server you run. HeidiSQL is free and open source. For the $79 you get AI SQL generation with your own key, access from any browser, one shared install for the team with encrypted connections, the full source code, and every 1.x update.
Does QueryGlow support every database HeidiSQL does?
No. QueryGlow supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB and SQLite (4 of the 9 systems HeidiSQL lists) plus TimescaleDB and CockroachDB. QueryGlow does not support Microsoft SQL Server, Interbase, Firebird, ProxySQL or Redshift. If you need those, HeidiSQL is the better fit.
What is the biggest difference between HeidiSQL and QueryGlow?
Architecture. HeidiSQL is a native desktop app for Windows, Linux and macOS. QueryGlow is a web app: deploy it on your own server, then open it from any browser on any machine. Your team shares one install behind one shared login, with nothing to install per machine.
What does running QueryGlow on a server take?
A Linux server with Docker (512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB recommended), a domain pointing at it for HTTPS, and a non-root user with sudo. ./queryglow install sets it up. ./queryglow update backs up first, checks that the new version is serving and rolls back on its own if it is not. ./queryglow doctor checks the install.
Your Database, From Any Browser.
Skip the per-device installs. Skip the AI gap. One URL. Whole team. $79 once.
Try the live demo first: the real app on a sample database, read-only, AI switched off, no signup.
Compare QueryGlow with Others
See how we stack up against the alternatives.
Prefer nothing to install on your laptop? QueryGlow is a web-based SQL client: installed on your server with one command, then Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB and TimescaleDB from any browser.