3 Best Free ClickHouse Database Clients in 2025

Published: 2025-10-10

ClickHouse is a powerful columnar database designed for real-time analytics on massive datasets. To work with it efficiently, you need a reliable GUI client. Below we compare three of the best free ClickHouse tools available in 2025: DbGate, DBeaver, and ClickHouse Play (the native web interface). While some projects offer paid editions, this review focuses entirely on what you get at the zero-cost tier.

DbGate (Community Edition)

DbGate is a modern, cross-platform database client with a clean and intuitive interface. It supports multiple databases including ClickHouse, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and MongoDB, making it ideal for developers who work across different database ecosystems.

Type: Desktop + Web-based
Installation: Simple desktop installer or Docker/web deployment
Pros:
- Clean, responsive interface with excellent UX
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Strong ClickHouse support with data filtering, editing, and export tools
- Tabbed interface for managing multiple queries and connections
- Multi-database support in one tool
Cons:
- Some enterprise features (database diff, visual query builder) are in the paid “Premium” tier
Pricing (October 2025): Free and open source (Community edition)
Technology: Electron, Svelte

DbGate Links

DBeaver (Community Edition)

DBeaver is a comprehensive and highly extensible database tool that supports a wide array of database systems, including ClickHouse. It’s especially popular among developers and data analysts who work with different types of databases and need robust querying capabilities.

Type: Desktop
Installation: Cross-platform installers and portable options
Pros:
- Broad database compatibility (100+ databases)
- Rich UI with ER diagrams, SQL editor with autocomplete, and data viewer
- Active plugin ecosystem
- Advanced data export/import options
- Good support for ClickHouse-specific data types
Cons:
- Java-based UI can be sluggish with large result sets
- Some advanced features are behind paywall (Enterprise edition)
- Interface can feel overwhelming for simple tasks
- Heavier memory footprint compared to lighter clients
Pricing: Community Edition – Free and open source
Technology: Java (Eclipse RCP)

DBeaver Links

ClickHouse Play

ClickHouse Play is the official web-based SQL editor and query interface provided by ClickHouse. It’s a lightweight, browser-based tool that requires no installation and is perfect for quick queries and exploration.

Type: Web-based
Installation: None – access directly via browser
Pros:
- Zero installation required
- Official tool with full ClickHouse feature support
- Fast and lightweight
- Includes sample datasets for learning and testing
- Query history and sharing capabilities
- Excellent for quick ad-hoc queries
Cons:
- Limited to web browser – no offline access
- Minimal database management features (no schema editing, user management)
- Basic UI compared to full-featured desktop clients
- Not suitable for complex database administration tasks
Pricing: Free
Technology: Web-based (JavaScript)

ClickHouse Play Links

Conclusion

Each of these ClickHouse clients has distinct advantages depending on your needs:

DbGate: Best for developers seeking a modern, lightweight, and cross-platform tool that handles ClickHouse alongside other databases with excellent UX
DBeaver: Ideal for users who need a comprehensive feature set and work with multiple database types, though it comes with a heavier footprint
ClickHouse Play: Perfect for quick queries, learning ClickHouse, and situations where you can’t install software

Whether you prefer a polished multi-database client, a feature-rich powerhouse, or a zero-install web interface, one of these free tools will fit your 2025 ClickHouse workflow.