What's the best MySQL admin tool?

I've used a few different ones and as great as phpMySQL is, it's not always the most practical option.

Wish list:

  • runs on Windows
  • can run multiple commands at once
  • be able to do schema or data import and export
  • be able to return a table and edit in place
  • code colouring and code completion are nice to have's but definitely not necessary

My demands aren't much but I've been disappointed by the selection. Maybe I just haven't looked hard enough. Can you recommend a usable, functional MySQL admin tool?

Published January 13, 2006 · Updated September 14, 2006
Categorized as SQL
Short URL: https://snook.ca/s/498

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29 Comments · RSS feed
Lance E. Leonard said on January 13, 2006

I have had great luck with mysql-front in the past, but my current host doesn't allow external connections.

http://www.mysqlfront.de/

Veracon said on January 13, 2006

MySQL-Front is definitely nice. On the free side, I like EMS MySQL Manager Lite (http://www.sqlmanager.net/en/products/mysql/manager) -- it's not 'lite' at all, though.

Michael Bester said on January 13, 2006

Have you tried out Navicat? Although I am not sure if it fulfills all your needs, it's my favorite MySql admin tool when I have to work on a windows machine.

http://www.navicat.com/

Noah Winecoff said on January 13, 2006

I've always used phpMyAdmin, nothing else.

said on January 13, 2006

navicat. worth every penny

Stu said on January 13, 2006

What is phpMySQL?????

Ryan Campbell said on January 13, 2006

I second Navicat. Easily my favorite db manager.

Aaron Glenn said on January 13, 2006

I have recently come across Aqua Data Studio and it is pretty slick. Free for personal or educational use too.

DarkWulf said on January 13, 2006

Well, there is always sqlyog (http://www.webyog.com/), available in free and pro editions... haven't really compared it with any other programs though... I just needed it to do a big batch job once, and promptly forgot about it

andr3 said on January 13, 2006

I'm using phpMyAdmin for extensive tasks and TurboDbAdmin for quicker stuff.

TurboDbAdmin is not really what you're looking for, but I thought i'd leave the link anyways.
TurboDbAdmin
( I'm not affiliated with them in any way. ;) )

Matthew Pennell said on January 14, 2006

Have you worked your way through the list that Particletree posted a while back?

Navicat looks pretty great; unfortunately my host blocks external connections too.

Nic said on January 14, 2006

I've used SQLYog enterprise for quite a while, and I'd put in up there with MS SQL enterprise manager/ query analyzer in terms of functionality.

I'm sure there's a free download, so try it out.

Dave Marks said on January 14, 2006

I'll add my vote for SQLYog aswell - I've been using the free version and it does a grand job... very easy to use

Emil Stenstr?m said on January 14, 2006

I'm using "EMS MySQL Manager 3". Works really well even though I sometimes feel it has a little too many features.

Great site you have. Thanks for sharing.

Ben said on January 14, 2006

Navicat

A said on January 14, 2006

Learn just the least bit of REBOL and you can have your command-line-based administration on practically any platform. See http://softinnov.org/rebol/mysql.shtml for details.

Jeroen said on January 15, 2006

MySqlFront does the job for me

Veracon said on January 15, 2006

Actually, I just tried SQLyog and it works really nice.

Andrew Johnstone said on January 15, 2006

I'm not really particular with any specific MySQL tool, and overall I tend to use the mysql command line the most.

I've used Navicat previously, which I only used it to import CSV data to mysql. Although its not bad.

MySQL Administrator 1.1 is nice for handling the administration.
MySQL Query Browser generally has quite a number of bugs.

Although designing database schemas, I would have to say DBDesigner from FabForce...

Anyway hope that helps a little.

Sharandeep Brar said on January 16, 2006

Navicat is quite good

Dave said on January 16, 2006

DBManager Professional from DBTools is hard to beat. I think it ticks all your boxes and can be used for other databases as well, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Interbase/Firebird, SQLite, DBF, MSAccess, MSSQL Server, Sybase and Oracle.

Barry Last said on January 16, 2006

I have tried a few and the best I have come across so far is sqlyog from http://www.webyog.com/.

Especially the enterprise version with ssh tunneling

Ryan Cavicchioni said on January 16, 2006

I am a fan of EMS Sql Manager.

DEfusion said on January 16, 2006

Put me down as another tick against sqlyog, it is by far the best one I've tried for MySQL and the free version is enough for most needs.

TJ Singleton said on July 04, 2006

Ever make a choice?

Jonathan Snook said on July 04, 2006

Yes, actually. I'm using SQLYog and have found it to be more than sufficient. Some of the table editing features are still a little quirky (like using enum fields) but once I figured it out, I was good to go.

Raymond Olavides said on July 12, 2006

SQLYog is sufficient for me, and when not available, PHPMyAdmin does the job - this of course only if console is not available.

raycc said on June 08, 2007

no doubt, Navicat! Super fast and easy to use, I vote for it!

Sunny said on March 22, 2011

I prefer dbForge Studio for MySQL!

Sorry, comments are closed for this post. If you have any further questions or comments, feel free to send them to me directly.