MySQL is a relational database management system. It provides a very fast, multi-threaded, multi-user, and robust SQL (Structured Query Language) database server. MySQL is the most popular open source database, and is the database component of the LAMP software stack. LAMP consists of the Apache web server, MySQL and PHP, the essential building blocks to run a general purpose web server. MySQL is used and championed by many large organizations including Google, Facebook, the BBC, Intel, Sun, SAP, Dell, AMD, Novell, Veritas and many others.
With the increasing popularity of MySQL, it is not surprising that developers have written useful tools which help users to monitor, query, administer, troubleshoot, and optimize MySQL databases.
To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 15 excellent MySQL tools. Hopefully, there will be something of interest for anyone interested in managing MySQL databases with the minimum of fuss.
Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion.
Click the links in the table to learn more about each tool.
| MySQL Tools | |
|---|---|
| phpMyAdmin | MySQL web administration tool |
| DBeaver | Universal database tool |
| MySQL Workbench | Complete visual database design tool |
| NocoDB | Build databases as spreadsheets |
| mycli | Command line interface for MySQL, MariaDB, and Percona |
| gh-ost | GitHub's Online Schema Migrations for MySQL |
| Percona Toolkit | Essential command-line utilities for MySQL |
| DbGate | Database manager for MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB |
| SQuirreL SQL Client | Graphical SQL client written in Java |
| Adminer | Full-featured tool for managing content in MySQL database |
| XtraBackup | Backup utility for MySQL |
| orchestrator | High availability and replication management tool |
| innotop | Real-time, advanced investigation tool |
| OmniDB | Collaborative environment For database management |
| SQLCheck | Detects common SQL anti-patterns |
This article has been revamped in line with our recent announcement.
 Read our complete collection of recommended free and open source software. Our curated compilation covers all categories of software. The software collection forms part of our series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. There are hundreds of in-depth reviews, open source alternatives to proprietary software from large corporations like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. There are also fun things to try, hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. |
You left out SQuirrel. It’s written in Java so is cross platform too. Personally I use DBeaver the most.
The purpose of our Group Tests is not to list every application, but to identify the best-of-breed. We’ve tried to include a variety of MySQL tools, not just SQL clients.
We prefer native Linux software, rather than Java-based software. And there’s better native open source SQL Linux clients than SQuirreL. But on this occasion, we’ve revisited SQuirreL and decided to include it in the Group Test.
Good call, I remember using SQuirrel in the past. Not a patch on DBeaver though.
It’s a shame mytop was discontinued, although it’s still available to download. But thanks for alerting me to innotop, which on the face it it looks very interesting.
Really nice list of MySQL Tools.
Although the article “15 Best Free and Open Source Linux MySQL Tools” provides insightful information, it ignores a noteworthy tool.
The purpose of this article is to recommend the finest free and open source software. Your comment has been edited because you are trying to advertise proprietary software. That is not permitted in the Comments section for this post.
So John was trying to spam commercial software?
Yes, egregious behaviour.