Data defines our world and our potentials. However, the data itself is useless. The organization is what brings value to it. Organized structured data let us find the patterns and interrelations. This way, we can make predict the results and come to conclusions. And here we come to the concept of a database – the means that allows us to work with data efficiently and securely. 

Among the many database management systems, MySQL is, perhaps, the most popular. It is simple to configure and manage, fast, transparent, and reliable. The worldwide community of developers helps MySQL users track and resolve any technical problems. Also, the variety of professional database tools allow MySQL specialists to make the most of this system. 

The tools developed for MySQL jobs focus on designing, maintenance, and management of these databases. The primary purpose is to eliminate the manual routines as much as possible, accelerate the performance, and increase productivity. One of the benefits of such modern MySQL database tools is GUI. It gives the possibility to work in a visual mode without much coding, thus simplifying all kinds of tasks. 

Using the specialized tools helps much. But with all available options, it can be complicated to choose the right tool. Still, the software that suits your workflow perfectly and is convenient to use is a very significant factor in improving productivity. This article is meant to help you make the right choice. Here, we’ve collected the best-loved MySQL GUI-based database tools. Let’s have a closer look at them. 

GUI database tools for MySQL – the industry leaders and users’ favorites 

Here we offer you our top-10 of popular multi-functional database tools for MySQL databases. 

dbForge Studio for MySQL

The product from the famous dbForge line is an IDE that offers all the necessary functional features to develop and manage MySQL databases. You can create and configure databases, write queries from scratch and execute them directly, create stored routines, analyze the data, automate the jobs, etc. Studio is a toolset, but all tools for MySQL included in the Studio are available as stand-alone solutions. 

Main Advantages:

• Powerful code formatting for making the scripts accurate and easy to work with. The possibility to create and edit profiles allows for setting the code standards and matching them through all your projects. 
• Full support for MariaDB 
• CRUD Generator for making result scripts for the fundamental SQL statements (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE) in separate SQL files

MySQL Workbench

Another well-known IDE for MySQL is Workbench. It is one of the most popular professional tools for developers and analysts, with numerous options to perform all kinds of tasks related to MySQL databases. It does the most necessary jobs – creates the databases and allows to explore and use them properly. Three editions (Community, Standard, and Enterprise) provide different levels of functionality according to the user’s needs. 

Main Advantages:

• Displaying the server status and server health along with server logs
• Absolute compatibility with all MySQL versions (the tool is developed by Oracle, which is the MySQL owner itself) 
• Cross-platform nature (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X)

SQLyog

The specialized Windows-based solution, SQLyog offers a robust list of features needed by any MySQL specialist. It allows for creating new databases, synchronizing schema and data in databases, backing up and restoring the databases, writing queries, etc. The solution is paid, with a free trial to evaluate the functionality before purchasing one of the paid editions (there are three of them). 

Main Advantages:

• The user interface with a set of themes to customize for the user’s preferences
• Creating and executing multi-threaded queries 
• Easy generation of DML statements for schema definition 

phpMyAdmin

One of the most popular web-based database tools is phpMyAdmin, written in PHP (easy to guess, isn’t it?). It is free of charge and easy to use. These features gained this tool a lot of devoted users, despite the lack of some advanced features. The overall functionality of this tool satisfies the needs of most website developers, and it is not necessary to have in-depth knowledge of MySQL to use this system efficiently. 

Main Advantages:

• Easy access from any location, as it is web-based 
• Easy setup and exploring 
• 80 language versions, covering both left-to-right and right-to-left

HeidiSQL

A lightweight and functional freeware software are one of the users’ favorite database tools. It performs all the necessary tasks related to data manipulation in databases and tables, setting and managing user rights, backing up and restoring the data, etc. The software is primarily meant for the Windows OS, but it also works on Linux with the Wine platform (required).  

Main Advantages:

• SSH tunnel for connecting to MySQL databases
• Batch-inserting binary files and ASCII into tables 
• Provides a portable version that works without installation and administrative rights 

Navicat for MySQL

A well-known toolset for database specialists, Navicat for MySQL works with MySQL, MariaDB, and cloud platforms. The available functionality lets the users perform all tasks required for database development and management. The product focuses on simplifying and automating the routines, saving time, and improving the overall functionality. 

Main Advantages:

• Cross-platform solution (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X)
• The Navicat Cloud – an internal service that allows the users to synchronize the settings, queries, virtual groups, and other data with the cloud and share them with coworkers at any location
• Printing the schedule reports (available for the Windows edition only)

Toad Edge for MySQL

One of the popular cross-platform (Windows and Mac OS X) database tools allows for doing all the fundamental tasks. Toad Edge includes many features, including schema comparison and syncing, data import and export, query monitoring, creating the database snapshots, and other options. 

Main Advantages:

• A powerful JSON editor
• The session viewer for managing the current sessions and queries, including tracking and terminating functionality
• Professional user support 24/7 

Sequel Pro

A freeware Mac OS-based tool for MySQL databases, Sequel Pro performs all fundamental tasks. Users can create, modify, filter, and delete databases and tables, write and execute queries, import and export data, etc. The tool is compatible with Mac OS X only, which is inconvenient for those users who prefer other OS platforms. 

Main Advantages:

• TCP/IP protocol support for the database connections 
• Compatible with all MySQL versions 
• User-friendly and lightweight 

Aqua Data Studio

A powerful IDE supports relational, cloud, and NoSQL databases. The focus of Aqua Data Studio is on visualizing data analysis and doing tasks in a visual mode. Users can compose and execute queries without typing codes, create the ERM diagrams, edit data visually, and do all the necessary tasks on the database development and analysis. 

Main Advantages:

• Comprehensive and engaging data visualization with the possibility to share them with coworkers and users
• The scripting development environment to create and debug scripts with the help of open APIs 
• Query execution plans with statistics

Valentina Studio

A popular GUI tool is meant to perform the standard database-related jobs. Users can create and edit databases and tables, compose queries, set the object relations, etc. The free edition of the software provides the basic functionality, but it covers such routines as creating diagrams, creating and editing database schemas, code completion, server administration jobs, and more. The Pro version is paid, but it provides advanced functionality, such as query builder, report designer, etc. 

Main Advantages:

• A set of database tools for continuous integration
• Supports MySQL and Valentina databases with Abstraction Links. Users can apply both API and SQL commands to work with links between tables and records.
• A free iOS version

Conclusion

The existing database tools for MySQL are many, and you can always find the right solution. There are both free and paid solutions. While the freeware tools like HeidiSQL or the Workbench free edition provide the basic functionality to do quintessential jobs, database professionals often need additional options. In this aspect, we’d recommend turning to advanced toolsets like dbForge Studio for MySQL, Navicat, Toad Edge, etc. 

The full-functional IDEs with graphical interfaces do the primary tasks – they help you eliminate manual routines, accelerate processes and boost productivity. No matter which solution you’ll choose, it will certainly allow you to simplify your life as a database pro. It is the reason why those database tools came into prominence.