More than PostgreSQL
pgweb is Postgres-only. QueryGlow runs PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB and TimescaleDB from one URL.
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.
pgweb is free and great for one Postgres database. QueryGlow is $79 once for six databases, AI SQL, and Safe Mode.
“Beautiful interface and very intuitive.”
Jean-Francois, Mildor Violon, verified customer
https://db.your-company.com
When you outgrow pgweb
AI writes your SQL
Describe what you need in plain English. Ask AI sends your schema and prompt, never rows, to your own OpenAI, Anthropic or Google key, entered in the app.
Safe by default
Safe Mode blocks DROP TABLE, TRUNCATE and DELETE or UPDATE without WHERE by default, before they run, and always blocks DROP DATABASE.
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 (pgweb facts as of September 2026).
PostgreSQL only
pgweb explores a single PostgreSQL connection well. 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 assistant. QueryGlow turns plain English into SQL with your own key. Ask AI sends your database type, table and column names with their types, and your prompt. Never rows.
Read-only or no guard
pgweb has an optional --readonly mode and no WHERE guard. QueryGlow Safe Mode always blocks DROP DATABASE, blocks DROP TABLE, TRUNCATE and DELETE or UPDATE without WHERE by default, and adds LIMIT 1000 to a read without one.
Column types in autocomplete
pgweb completes schema object names. QueryGlow also lists a table's columns with their data types after you type the table name and a dot.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | pgweb | QueryGlow |
|---|---|---|
| Database support | PostgreSQL only (9.6+) | 6 databases |
| AI SQL generation | None | Ask AI with your own OpenAI, Anthropic or Google key: schema and prompt only, never rows |
| Agent Access (MCP) | None | Per-connection tokens, read-only by default and enforced by the database; write tokens roll back over a row cap; dry run; every call in the Activity tab; pause any token |
| Query guard | Optional --readonly mode; no WHERE guard | Safe Mode: DROP DATABASE always blocked; DROP TABLE, TRUNCATE and DELETE or UPDATE without WHERE blocked by default; LIMIT 1000 added to a read without one |
| SQL autocomplete | Completes schema object names | Tables, columns with types, dot notation |
| EXPLAIN | Query analysis | Visual plan with CREATE INDEX and ANALYZE suggestions |
| SSH tunnel | Built in | Built in, host key pinned on first use |
| Data export | CSV, JSON, XML export | CSV import and export (INSERT, UPSERT or REPLACE) |
| Query history | Yes | Yes (last 1,000 queries) |
| Web-based access | Yes | Yes, whole team on one install behind one shared login |
| Setup | Single binary or Docker | ./queryglow install on a Linux server with Docker; ./queryglow update backs up first and rolls back on failure |
| License / source | Open source (MIT) | Full source access after purchase |
| Price | Free | $79 once, every 1.x update |
Database support
pgweb
PostgreSQL only (9.6+)
QueryGlow
6 databases
AI SQL generation
pgweb
None
QueryGlow
Ask AI with your own OpenAI, Anthropic or Google key: schema and prompt only, never rows
Agent Access (MCP)
pgweb
None
QueryGlow
Per-connection tokens, read-only by default and enforced by the database; write tokens roll back over a row cap; dry run; every call in the Activity tab; pause any token
Query guard
pgweb
Optional --readonly mode; no WHERE guard
QueryGlow
Safe Mode: DROP DATABASE always blocked; DROP TABLE, TRUNCATE and DELETE or UPDATE without WHERE blocked by default; LIMIT 1000 added to a read without one
SQL autocomplete
pgweb
Completes schema object names
QueryGlow
Tables, columns with types, dot notation
EXPLAIN
pgweb
Query analysis
QueryGlow
Visual plan with CREATE INDEX and ANALYZE suggestions
SSH tunnel
pgweb
Built in
QueryGlow
Built in, host key pinned on first use
Data export
pgweb
CSV, JSON, XML export
QueryGlow
CSV import and export (INSERT, UPSERT or REPLACE)
Query history
pgweb
Yes
QueryGlow
Yes (last 1,000 queries)
Web-based access
pgweb
Yes
QueryGlow
Yes, whole team on one install behind one shared login
Setup
pgweb
Single binary or Docker
QueryGlow
./queryglow install on a Linux server with Docker; ./queryglow update backs up first and rolls back on failure
License / source
pgweb
Open source (MIT)
QueryGlow
Full source access after purchase
Price
pgweb
Free
QueryGlow
$79 once, every 1.x update
pgweb facts as of September 2026, from the pgweb README and source on GitHub.
Honest note: pgweb is genuinely excellent: free, open source, a single binary, and a good fit 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: destructive SQL blocked by default and a confirmation before any write on a connection marked production.
See it before you pay
Open the live demo (read-only sample database, AI switched off), no signup. If it fits, buy once for your whole team.
Try the live demo
Stripe checkout. You'll enter your GitHub username for the repo invite. No refunds, so try the read-only demo first.
What you also get with QueryGlow
AI SQL Generation
Describe what you want in plain English. Ask AI sends your database type, table and column names with their types, and your prompt. Never rows. Your own OpenAI, Anthropic or Google key, entered in the app (stored encrypted on your server) or set in .env.
Safe Mode
DROP DATABASE is always blocked. DROP TABLE, TRUNCATE and DELETE or UPDATE without WHERE are blocked by default, and a read without LIMIT gets LIMIT 1000.
Asks before production writes
On a connection marked production, the Query Editor shows the statement and asks before any INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE or DDL runs. On by default, can be turned off in Preferences.
Six databases, one app
PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB and TimescaleDB: the same UI for all of them, not just Postgres.
Paste a URL, add every database
Paste a postgres:// connection URL and the form fills itself. Then list the databases that login can open, tick the ones you want and add them all at once.
Schema-aware autocomplete
Type a table name and a dot to see its columns with their data types.
JSONB and timestamps
JSON, JSONB and array columns are readable and editable as JSON text. timestamptz values show in your time zone and date format; the stored value stays untouched.
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 and XML. QueryGlow also imports CSV with three strategies (INSERT, UPSERT or REPLACE) and a validation preview before anything is written.
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 single-binary PostgreSQL explorer (Go, MIT). Brilliant for quickly browsing and querying one Postgres database, even over an SSH tunnel, with next to no setup. Free and open source.
pgAdmin
The official PostgreSQL administration suite, as a desktop app or a web server. Deeper on Postgres-specific administration. Also free, also PostgreSQL only. See our QueryGlow vs pgAdmin comparison.
QueryGlow
The multi-database option: six databases, AI SQL, Safe Mode and column types in autocomplete in one self-hosted web app. $79 once for your whole team, 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 and a confirmation before writes on production databases
- You want column types in autocomplete and a visual EXPLAIN plan
- Your team wants one shared, self-hosted URL and one login for $79 once
Frequently asked questions
Is QueryGlow a good pgweb alternative?
Yes, if you need more than PostgreSQL or want AI SQL generation and a query guard. pgweb is a free, open-source, single-binary explorer for PostgreSQL only. QueryGlow is a self-hosted web GUI for 6 databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB, TimescaleDB) with AI SQL, Safe Mode and column types in autocomplete for $79 once.
What is the difference between pgweb and pgAdmin?
pgweb is a single-binary web explorer for PostgreSQL (built in Go, MIT licensed). pgAdmin is the official PostgreSQL administration suite and runs as a desktop app or a web server. Both are free and PostgreSQL only. QueryGlow is the multi-database option: it runs six databases from one self-hosted URL with AI SQL and Safe Mode.
Is pgweb free and QueryGlow paid?
Yes. pgweb is free and open source under the MIT license. QueryGlow is $79 once, with no recurring fees: your whole team on one install behind one shared login, every server you run, the source code, and every 1.x update.
Does pgweb support MySQL or other databases?
No. pgweb supports PostgreSQL only (9.6+). If you also work with MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, CockroachDB or TimescaleDB, QueryGlow handles all six from the same web interface.
Outgrowing pgweb?
Try the live demo first: the real app on a sample database, read-only, AI switched off, no signup. If it clicks, buy it once for $79, with every 1.x update.
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.