QueryGlow vs pgweb

pgweb is a brilliant, free single-binary Postgres explorer. QueryGlow is the multi-database pgweb alternative for when one database isn't enough — with AI SQL and Safe Mode built in.

Try the Live DemoGet QueryGlow — $79 Lifetime

pgweb is free and great for one Postgres database. QueryGlow is $79 once for six databases, AI SQL, and Safe Mode.

When you outgrow pgweb

More than PostgreSQL

pgweb is Postgres-only. QueryGlow runs PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB and TimescaleDB from one URL.

AI writes your SQL

Describe what you need in plain English. Your schema is sent, never your data. Works with OpenAI, Claude, or Gemini.

Safe by default

Safe Mode blocks destructive queries before they run — no more heart-stopping DELETE without a WHERE clause.

Where pgweb hits its limits

pgweb does one thing well: fast, no-fuss browsing of a single PostgreSQL database. Here is where teams tend to reach for more.

PostgreSQL Only

pgweb explores a single PostgreSQL connection beautifully. The moment you also run MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB or TimescaleDB, you reach for a second tool — or QueryGlow, which speaks all six.

No AI Assistant

pgweb has no AI — you write every query by hand. QueryGlow turns plain English into SQL. Only your schema is sent to the model, never your data.

No Query Guardrails

pgweb runs exactly what you type — including an accidental DELETE without a WHERE. QueryGlow Safe Mode blocks DROP DATABASE, requires WHERE on DELETE/UPDATE, and auto-limits SELECTs to 1000 rows.

Basic Autocomplete

pgweb's editor offers basic completion. QueryGlow is schema-aware: type a table name and a dot to see its columns with their data types, so you write correct SQL faster.

Side-by-side comparison

Database Support

pgweb

PostgreSQL only (9.6+)

QueryGlow

6 databases

AI SQL Generation

pgweb

None

QueryGlow

OpenAI, Claude, Gemini

Agent Access (MCP)

pgweb

None (as of July 2026)

QueryGlow

Scoped tokens, read-only by default, enforced by the database — write rollback, dry-run, audit trail

Query Safety

pgweb

None

QueryGlow

Safe Mode: blocks DROP, auto-limits

SQL Autocomplete

pgweb

Basic

QueryGlow

Schema-aware: tables, columns with types

EXPLAIN

pgweb

Query analysis

QueryGlow

Visual plans + index suggestions

SSH Tunnel

pgweb

Built-in

QueryGlow

Built-in

Data Export

pgweb

CSV, JSON, XML export

QueryGlow

CSV import + export (insert/upsert/replace)

Query History

pgweb

Yes

QueryGlow

Yes (last 1,000 queries)

Web-Based Access

pgweb

Yes

QueryGlow

Yes

Setup

pgweb

Single binary or Docker

QueryGlow

One command: ./deploy.sh

License / Source

pgweb

Open source (MIT)

QueryGlow

Full source access after purchase

Price

pgweb

Free

QueryGlow

$79 (one-time, lifetime)

Honest note: pgweb is genuinely excellent — free, open source, a single binary with zero dependencies, and perfect for quickly exploring one PostgreSQL database (even over an SSH tunnel). If that is all you need, pgweb is a great choice. QueryGlow earns its $79 when you need more than one database, AI SQL, or guardrails on production.

What you also get with QueryGlow

AI SQL Generation

Describe what you want in plain English. Only your schema is sent — never your data. Works with OpenAI, Claude, or Gemini.

Safe Mode

Blocks DROP DATABASE, requires a WHERE clause on DELETE/UPDATE, and auto-limits SELECTs — protection pgweb does not offer.

Six Databases, One App

PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB and TimescaleDB — the same UI for all of them, not just Postgres.

Schema-Aware Autocomplete

Type a table name and a dot to see its columns with data types. Correct SQL, faster — beyond pgweb's basic completion.

Smart EXPLAIN Visualizer

Visual query plans that flag sequential scans and row-estimate errors, then suggest specific CREATE INDEX statements.

CSV Import, Not Just Export

pgweb exports CSV/JSON/XML. QueryGlow also imports CSV with three strategies — insert, upsert, or replace — with a preview before commit.

pgweb vs pgAdmin — and where QueryGlow fits

The two free PostgreSQL tools people compare most are pgweb and pgAdmin. Here is the honest split — and the third option once you need more.

pgweb

A lightweight, single-binary PostgreSQL explorer (Go, MIT). Brilliant for quickly browsing and querying one Postgres database — even over an SSH tunnel — with effectively zero setup. Free and open source.

pgAdmin

The official PostgreSQL administration suite. Deeper on Postgres-specific admin, but heavier and more complex. Also free, also PostgreSQL-only. See our QueryGlow vs pgAdmin comparison.

QueryGlow

The modern, multi-database option: six databases, AI SQL, Safe Mode and schema-aware autocomplete in one self-hosted web app. $79 once for unlimited users — the upgrade when pgweb or pgAdmin stop being enough.

Which one fits you?

Stick with pgweb if...

  • You only work with a single PostgreSQL database
  • You want a free, open-source single binary with no Docker required
  • You mostly do quick, ad-hoc browsing and exports and are happy writing SQL by hand

Choose QueryGlow if...

  • You work across more than PostgreSQL — MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB or TimescaleDB
  • You want AI to draft your SQL from plain English
  • You want Safe Mode guardrails on production databases
  • You want schema-aware autocomplete and a visual EXPLAIN plan
  • Your team wants one shared, self-hosted URL for $79 once

Outgrowing pgweb?

Try the live demo first. No signup, no credit card. If it clicks, grab a lifetime license for $79.

Try Live Demo

Prefer a deep dive on the alternatives? See our ranked pgAdmin & Postgres GUI roundup.

Compare QueryGlow with Others

See how we stack up against the alternatives.

Prefer to skip installs entirely? QueryGlow also runs as a web-based SQL client — access any database from your browser.

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