DbGate — a free alternative to Navicat

Tired of paying hundreds of dollars for database tools? DbGate Community offers powerful database management capabilities similar to Navicat — completely free and open source. Get professional-grade SQL & NoSQL database management without the expensive license fees.

Why choose free DbGate over paid Navicat

Zero cost, full features. DbGate Community edition is completely free and includes desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus a web interface. No expensive licenses, no subscription fees, no hidden costs.

Same database coverage. Work with MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB, Redis, and more — all the engines Navicat supports, with a consistent interface.

Desktop and Web included. Unlike Navicat’s desktop-only approach, DbGate gives you both native apps and browser-based access in the free edition. Access your databases from anywhere.

Modern, intuitive UX. Clean interface with smart defaults, keyboard shortcuts, and responsive design. No cluttered toolbars or overwhelming feature menus.

Open source transparency. Full source code availability, community-driven development, and no vendor lock-in concerns. Contribute features or customize to your needs.

Built for collaboration. Share connections securely, co-edit queries and ER diagrams, and keep everyone in sync without shuffling files around using DbGate Cloud.

No license management headaches. One-time download, lifetime use. Perfect for freelancers, students, and teams watching their budget.

What makes DbGate feel better

• Cost advantage: Completely free vs Navicat’s $599+ license fee
• Dual access: Desktop and web interfaces included, not just desktop
• Open source benefits: Community-driven, transparent development, no vendor lock-in
• Modern architecture: Built with contemporary tech stack for better performance
• Same functionality: Advanced querying, data editing, schema visualization, and export tools
• NoSQL support: MongoDB, Redis, Cassandra support alongside traditional SQL databases
• Team collaboration: Built-in features for sharing connections and queries

Feature comparison: Free vs Paid

When to choose DbGate over Navicat

• Budget-conscious teams who need professional tools without expensive licenses
• Freelancers and consultants who want to avoid per-user licensing costs
• Students and educators learning database management
• Small teams who need both desktop and web access options
• Open source advocates who prefer transparent, community-driven tools
• Growing teams where per-user licensing costs add up quickly
• Multi-user environments needing collaboration without additional license fees

Upgrade path available

While DbGate Community covers most use cases, Premium and Team Premium editions are available for teams needing:

• Real-time collaboration and co-editing
• Role-based access control and audit logging
• Enterprise authentication (SSO, Azure AD, AWS IAM)
• Priority support and managed deployments

Start free with Community, upgrade only if you need advanced team features — still far less expensive than Navicat.