Access from anywhere
Navicat is a desktop app. QueryGlow is a URL. Open it on any device with a browser — laptop, tablet, phone.
Save $1,220+ Per User
QueryGlow vs Navicat:
Stop Overpaying for Enterprise Features You Don't Use
Navicat Premium is $1,299 per user. It's enterprise-grade software with data modeling, BI tools, and Oracle support. But if you just need to browse data, run queries, and import CSVs? You're paying for 90% of features you'll never touch.
Navicat Premium costs $159/year per user (or $1,299 perpetual). QueryGlow is $79 once for unlimited users.
Why developers switch from Navicat to QueryGlow
Your data stays yours
QueryGlow runs on your infrastructure. No cloud. No telemetry. No compliance headaches.
AI writes your SQL
Describe what you need in plain English. Your schema is sent, never your data. Works with OpenAI, Claude, or Gemini.
Common Navicat Pain Points
$1,299 Per User
Navicat Premium is $1,299 per person. Team of 5? That's $6,495. QueryGlow is $79 for your entire team—unlimited users.
Feature Bloat
Data modeling, BI dashboards, report builders, data sync tools... Do you actually use any of these? Most developers just need to browse data and run queries.
Desktop Only
Navicat is a desktop app. Can't access your database from your phone or a borrowed laptop. QueryGlow is web-based—access from anywhere.
Per-User Licensing Hell
Every new team member needs a new license. Onboarding a contractor? Another $1,299. QueryGlow: unlimited users, one price.
The Per-User Licensing Trap
Navicat charges per user. QueryGlow doesn't. Here's how that adds up.
| Team Size | Navicat Premium | QueryGlow | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 user | $1,299 | $79 | $1,220 |
| 2 users | $2,598 | $79 | $2,519 |
| 3 users | $3,897 | $79 | $3,818 |
| 5 users | $6,495 | $79 | $6,416 |
| 10 users | $12,990 | $79 | $12,911 |
Navicat pricing: $1,299 per user perpetual license. QueryGlow: $79 total, unlimited users.
Features Navicat Doesn't Have
AI SQL Generation
Describe queries in plain English. Works with OpenAI, Claude, or Gemini. Navicat has no AI features at all.
Web-Based Access
Access your database from any device with a browser. Navicat is a desktop app tied to wherever it's installed.
AI Data Privacy
AI only sees your schema (table/column names). Your actual row data never leaves your server.
Smart CSV Import
Three strategies: insert, upsert, or replace. Auto-detects delimiters. Preview before commit.
Smart EXPLAIN Warnings
Navicat shows basic EXPLAIN output. QueryGlow's EXPLAIN Visualizer detects problems like sequential scans and suggests specific CREATE INDEX statements.
Full Feature Comparison
| Aspect | Navicat Premium | QueryGlow |
|---|---|---|
| Team of 5 Cost | $6,495 | $79 total |
| Licensing Model | Per-user | Unlimited users |
| AI SQL Generation | None | OpenAI, Claude, Gemini |
| Safe Mode | None | Blocks DROP, limits queries |
| Platform | Desktop only | Web-based (any device) |
| Database Support | 9+ (including Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB) | 6 (Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB, TimescaleDB) |
| Data Modeling Tools | Yes | No |
| BI / Report Builder | Yes | No |
| SSH Tunnels | Yes | Yes (paste private key) |
| Credential Encryption | Yes | AES-256-GCM |
| CSV Import/Export | Yes | Yes (INSERT/UPSERT/REPLACE) |
| EXPLAIN Visualizer | Basic EXPLAIN output | Visual plans + smart index suggestions |
| SQL Autocomplete | Schema-aware autocomplete | Schema-aware: tables, columns with types, dot-notation |
| Dark Mode | Yes | Yes |
Team of 5 Cost
Navicat
$6,495
QueryGlow
$79 total
Licensing Model
Navicat
Per-user
QueryGlow
Unlimited users
AI SQL Generation
Navicat
None
QueryGlow
OpenAI, Claude, Gemini
Safe Mode
Navicat
None
QueryGlow
Blocks DROP, limits queries
Platform
Navicat
Desktop only
QueryGlow
Web-based (any device)
Database Support
Navicat
9+ (including Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB)
QueryGlow
6 (Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB, TimescaleDB)
Data Modeling Tools
Navicat
Yes
QueryGlow
No
BI / Report Builder
Navicat
Yes
QueryGlow
No
SSH Tunnels
Navicat
Yes
QueryGlow
Yes (paste private key)
Credential Encryption
Navicat
Yes
QueryGlow
AES-256-GCM
CSV Import/Export
Navicat
Yes
QueryGlow
Yes (INSERT/UPSERT/REPLACE)
EXPLAIN Visualizer
Navicat
Basic EXPLAIN output
QueryGlow
Visual plans + smart index suggestions
SQL Autocomplete
Navicat
Schema-aware autocomplete
QueryGlow
Schema-aware: tables, columns with types, dot-notation
Dark Mode
Navicat
Yes
QueryGlow
Yes
When Navicat is Worth the Premium
We're not here to trash Navicat. It's genuinely powerful enterprise software. Here's when it makes sense.
More Databases
Supports Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake—databases QueryGlow doesn't support.
Data Modeling
Built-in ER diagram designer and data modeling tools for database architects.
BI & Reporting
Chart generators, report builders, and data visualization tools.
Data Sync
Schema and data synchronization between databases.
Bottom line: If you need Oracle, SQL Server, or MongoDB support—or if you're a DBA who uses data modeling and synchronization tools daily—Navicat's $1,299 may be justified. For everyone else? QueryGlow does what you actually need for $79.
Which One Fits You?
Use Navicat If...
- You need Oracle, SQL Server, or MongoDB support
- You're a DBA who uses data modeling tools daily
- You need built-in BI dashboards and reporting
- Your company already has Navicat licenses
- Budget is not a concern
Switch to QueryGlow If...
- You mainly use PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQLite
- Your daily work is browsing data + running queries
- You want AI SQL generation and Safe Mode
- You need web-based access from any device
- You don't want to pay per user
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Navicat Premium actually cost?
Navicat Premium Enterprise Edition costs $1,299 per user for a perpetual license. They also offer monthly ($29/month) and yearly ($239/year) subscriptions. For a team of 5, perpetual licenses cost $6,495. QueryGlow is $79 total for unlimited users.
What can Navicat do that QueryGlow can't?
Navicat supports more databases (Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake), has data modeling/ER diagram tools, BI dashboards, report builders, data synchronization, and a mobile app. If you need these enterprise features, Navicat may be worth the premium.
What can QueryGlow do that Navicat can't?
QueryGlow has AI SQL generation (Navicat has none), Safe Mode that blocks dangerous queries like DROP DATABASE (Navicat lets you run anything), web-based access from any device (Navicat is desktop-only), and unlimited users for one price (Navicat charges per user).
Is there a free version of Navicat?
Yes, Navicat Premium Lite is free but has limited functionality. It lacks many features of the paid version. QueryGlow offers a live demo to try before buying.
Should I switch from Navicat to QueryGlow?
If you mainly use PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, or SQLite and your daily tasks are browsing data, running queries, and importing/exporting—you're probably overpaying with Navicat. If you need Oracle/SQL Server/MongoDB support or advanced data modeling, stick with Navicat.
Does QueryGlow have SSH tunnel support like Navicat?
Yes. QueryGlow has built-in SSH tunnel support. Paste your private key text into the connection form and connect to databases in private networks without exposing ports.
Keep the $1,220. Get the UI.
$79 for your entire team. Unlimited users. AI included. Safe Mode included.
Try the demo first. One-time payment. No subscription.
Compare QueryGlow with Others
See how we stack up against the alternatives.