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10 Best Data & Databases Tools in 2026

By Toolradar Team · Updated February 2026

Database management and data tools

Key Takeaways
  • OrientDB is our #1 pick for data & databases in 2026.
  • We analyzed 17 data & databases tools to create this ranking.
  • 9 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.

How the Top Data & Databases Tools Compare

The data & databases category is highly competitive in 2026, with OrientDB and HeidiSQL both scoring 0/100 on Toolradar's editorial assessment, followed closely by TypeORM at N/A/100. The tight scores reflect how mature this market has become.

All top-ranked data & databases tools offer free or freemium plans, making this an accessible category for teams of any size. OrientDB stands out by combining a top score of 0/100 with free pricing.

1
OrientDB logo

OrientDB

The first multi-model open-source NoSQL database combining graphs and documents.

Free

OrientDB is a multi-model open-source NoSQL database management system that uniquely integrates the power of graph databases with the flexibility of document databases. It's designed to be a scalable, high-performance operational database that addresses the challenges of polyglot persistence by allowing multiple data models within a single system. This approach reduces operational complexity and helps maintain data consistency across different data types. This database is ideal for developers and organizations looking for a versatile and performant solution that can handle complex relationships and diverse data structures without the need for multiple specialized databases. Its architecture is engineered for speed, offering fast read and write operations, efficient RAM usage, and rapid traversal of graphs and trees, irrespective of database size. It aims to replace traditional relational DBMS for operational needs by providing enhanced functionality and flexibility.

2
HeidiSQL logo

HeidiSQL

Manage and edit data and structures across multiple popular database systems with ease.

Free

HeidiSQL is a free and open-source database management tool designed for users who work with various database systems. It provides an intuitive interface to connect to and interact with databases such as MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, and Firebird. Users can perform a wide range of operations, including editing data and structures, managing user privileges, and executing queries. The software simplifies common database tasks like creating and editing tables, views, stored routines, triggers, and scheduled events. It also offers robust import and export functionalities, allowing users to move data between different servers/databases or export table rows into various formats like CSV, HTML, XML, and SQL. With features like syntax-highlighting, code-completion, and SQL reformatting, HeidiSQL aims to enhance productivity for database administrators and developers.

3
TypeORM logo

TypeORM

Code with confidence and query with power using this flexible ORM for TypeScript and JavaScript.

Free

TypeORM is an Object Relational Mapper (ORM) that can run in various JavaScript environments like Node.js, browsers, and mobile applications. It provides an elegant, type-safe API for interacting with databases, allowing developers to define entities and manage data with ease. It supports both DataMapper and ActiveRecord patterns, offering flexibility in how developers structure their database interactions. This ORM is built with TypeScript first, ensuring complete type safety for database models, which helps in catching errors early and improving code maintainability. It boasts extensive multi-database support, working seamlessly with popular relational and NoSQL databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and more. TypeORM is designed for developers who need a robust and flexible solution for database abstraction in their JavaScript/TypeScript projects, simplifying complex queries and schema management through features like a powerful QueryBuilder and first-class migration support. TypeORM is ideal for developers building applications across various platforms, from web servers to mobile apps, who prioritize type safety, database flexibility, and efficient data management. Its comprehensive feature set, including automatic migration generation and cross-platform compatibility, makes it a valuable tool for modern application development.

4
pgAdmin logo

pgAdmin

The most popular and feature-rich open-source administration and development platform for PostgreSQL.

Free

pgAdmin is a comprehensive open-source administration and development platform designed for PostgreSQL and its derivatives like EDB Postgres Advanced Server. It provides a graphical interface for managing all aspects of your PostgreSQL databases, from creating and editing objects to monitoring performance and executing complex queries. This tool is ideal for database administrators, developers, and anyone working with PostgreSQL who needs a robust and user-friendly interface for database management. It simplifies routine tasks, offers powerful development tools like a query editor and debugger, and supports various deployment models including desktop and multi-user web server modes. Its extensive feature set aims to enhance productivity and streamline database operations for PostgreSQL users. Key benefits include cross-platform compatibility, support for multiple PostgreSQL versions, detailed documentation, and a wide array of tools for schema design, data manipulation, and job scheduling. It also incorporates security fixes and continuous updates to ensure a reliable and secure database management experience.

5
Redpanda logo

Redpanda

High-performance, agent-first data plane and streaming for real-time AI applications.

Paid

Redpanda is a high-performance, Kafka-compatible streaming data platform designed for the agentic AI era. It provides an "Agentic Data Plane" that enables AI agents to ingest, process, loop, and store data continuously at scale, with built-in governance and traceability. This platform unifies hundreds of data sources like applications, models, and databases into a single, secure access layer, allowing agents to access both live streams and historical records through a unified SQL query layer. Redpanda aims to address the challenges of building and trusting AI applications with sensitive data by offering enterprise-wide guardrails, identity, authorization, and policy controls. It captures every agent interaction in a transparent audit trail for debugging and traceability. Beyond its agentic AI capabilities, Redpanda functions as a powerful and efficient Apache Kafka alternative, built for high-throughput, low-latency data streaming workloads, offering significant cost savings and operational simplicity compared to traditional Kafka deployments.

6
Sequelize logo

Sequelize

Feature-rich ORM for modern TypeScript & JavaScript to simplify database interactions.

Free

Sequelize is a powerful Object-Relational Mapper (ORM) for Node.js, supporting various relational databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, and SQL Server. It simplifies database interactions by allowing developers to work with JavaScript objects instead of raw SQL queries. This makes database operations more intuitive, reduces boilerplate code, and helps maintain a consistent data model across the application. It is designed for developers working with JavaScript and TypeScript who need to manage relational databases efficiently. Key benefits include streamlined data modeling, automatic database synchronization, robust association management between models, and advanced features like transactions, migrations, and soft deletion. Sequelize helps improve developer productivity and code maintainability by abstracting complex database logic.

7
Knex.js logo

Knex.js

A SQL query builder for JavaScript, providing a consistent and programmatic way to interact with databases.

Free

Knex.js is a powerful and flexible SQL query builder designed for JavaScript environments. It allows developers to write SQL queries programmatically using a fluent API, abstracting away the differences between various SQL dialects. This makes it easier to build database-driven applications with Node.js, as developers can write database interactions in JavaScript without needing to concatenate raw SQL strings. It's ideal for developers and teams working with Node.js who need a robust and maintainable way to interact with relational databases. Knex.js supports a wide range of popular databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite3, Oracle, and Amazon Redshift. Its focus on raw query building, schema building, and migrations helps ensure data integrity and simplifies database management within application development workflows. Key benefits include improved code readability, enhanced security against SQL injection attacks (due to parameterized queries), and increased productivity by providing a consistent API across different database systems. It also offers powerful features for schema management and database migrations, making it a comprehensive solution for database interaction in JavaScript applications.

8
SQL Chat logo

SQL Chat

Interact with your databases using natural language and a chat-based interface.

Freemium

SQL Chat is a chat-based SQL client and editor designed to simplify database interactions. It allows users to query and manage their databases using natural language, eliminating the need for complex SQL syntax. This tool is ideal for developers, data analysts, and anyone who needs to interact with databases but prefers a more intuitive, conversational interface. The product aims to make database management more accessible and efficient by translating natural language prompts into SQL queries. Users can ask questions about their data in plain English, and the tool will generate and execute the appropriate SQL, presenting the results in an easy-to-understand format. This approach significantly reduces the learning curve for SQL and speeds up data exploration and analysis.

9
Deno KV logo

Deno KV

A Key-Value database engine for Deno Deploy, offering isolated data for development and production.

Freemium

Deno KV is a Key-Value database engine integrated within Deno Deploy, designed to provide a robust and scalable data storage solution for JavaScript and TypeScript applications. It allows developers to provision and manage KV databases directly from the Deno Deploy dashboard, seamlessly connecting them to their applications. A key feature of Deno KV is its support for 'timelines' in Deno Deploy Early Access, which enables automatic creation of separate database instances for different environments, such as production and individual Git branches. This ensures data isolation and security during development and testing, preventing accidental data corruption. The platform handles connections to the correct database based on the current environment, simplifying development workflows. Deno KV databases are replicated across multiple data centers for durability and offer consistent API usage across local development and deployed environments. This product is ideal for developers building applications on Deno Deploy who need a simple, managed key-value store with built-in environment isolation and automatic connection handling. It streamlines database management and integration, allowing developers to focus on application logic rather than infrastructure.

10
OpenMetadata logo

OpenMetadata

The #1 open-source platform for unified data discovery, observability, and governance.

Free

OpenMetadata is an open and unified metadata platform designed for data discovery, observability, and governance. It provides a single place for all data assets and enables data practitioners to build and manage high-quality data at scale. Built with a Unified Metadata Graph, it centralizes all metadata, offering complete data context across various use cases. The platform is built from the ground up for modern data teams, featuring an API and schema-first architecture that allows for metadata control and customization. It supports extensible metadata entities and relationships, facilitating data collaboration workflows between data producers and consumers. With over 100 turnkey connectors, OpenMetadata simplifies metadata collection from diverse data sources, powering a unified experience for data teams. It's designed for simple setup, operations, and scalability, offering a streamlined architecture with only four system components and a user-friendly interface for both technical and non-technical users.

Best Data & Databases For

Related Categories

What is Data & Databases Software?

Database management and data tools

According to our analysis of 10+ tools, the data & databases software market offers solutions for teams of all sizes, from solo professionals to enterprise organizations. The best data & databases tools in 2026 combine powerful features with intuitive interfaces.

Editor's Take

“After evaluating 10 data & databases tools, OrientDB stands out. For budget-conscious teams, OrientDB (null/100, completely free) delivers strong value without the price tag. The data & databases market is competitive — the gap between top tools is narrower than ever, so the best choice comes down to your team's specific workflow and priorities.”

— Toolradar Editorial Team · February 2026

Data & Databases Software: Key Data Points

10+
Tools analyzed on Toolradar
9
Offer free or freemium plans
N/A/100
Top editorial score

The data & databases software market continues to grow as businesses prioritize digital transformation. According to Toolradar's analysis across 10+ products, 90% of data & databases tools offer free or freemium plans, making it accessible for teams of all sizes. The top-rated tools average a score of 0/100, with OrientDB leading at /100.

Common Features of Data & Databases Software

Automation

Automate repetitive data & databases tasks to save time

Collaboration

Work together with team members in real-time

Analytics & Reporting

Track progress and measure performance

Security

Protect sensitive data with enterprise-grade security

Who Uses Data & Databases Software?

Data & Databases software is used by a wide range of professionals and organizations:

Small businesses looking to streamline operations and compete with larger companies
Enterprise teams needing scalable solutions for complex data & databases needs
Freelancers and consultants managing multiple clients and projects
Startups seeking cost-effective tools that can grow with them

How to Choose the Right Data & Databases Software

When evaluating data & databases tools, consider these key factors:

  1. 1Identify your specific needs. What problems are you trying to solve? List your must-have features versus nice-to-haves.
  2. 2Consider your budget. 9 tools in our top 10 offer free plans, including OrientDB and HeidiSQL.
  3. 3Evaluate ease of use. A powerful tool is useless if your team won't adopt it. Look for intuitive interfaces and good onboarding.
  4. 4Check integrations. Ensure the tool works with your existing tech stack (CRM, communication tools, etc.).
  5. 5Read real user reviews. Our community reviews provide honest feedback from actual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best data & databases software in 2026?

Based on our analysis of features, user reviews, and overall value, OrientDB ranks as the #1 data & databases tool in 2026. Other top-rated options include HeidiSQL and TypeORM.

Are there free data & databases tools available?

Yes! OrientDB, HeidiSQL, TypeORM offer free plans. In total, 9 of the top 10 data & databases tools have free or freemium pricing options.

How do you rank data & databases tools?

Our rankings are based on multiple factors: editorial analysis of features and usability (40%), community reviews and ratings (30%), pricing value (15%), and integration capabilities (15%). We regularly update rankings as tools evolve and new reviews come in.

What should I look for in data & databases software?

Key factors to consider include: core features that match your workflow, ease of use and learning curve, pricing that fits your budget, quality of customer support, integrations with your existing tools, and scalability as your needs grow.

Types of Data & Databases Software

Explore specialized subcategories within data & databases:

Our Ranking Methodology

At Toolradar, we combine editorial expertise with community insights to rank data & databases tools:

40%
Editorial Analysis
Features, UX, innovation
30%
User Reviews
Real feedback from verified users
15%
Pricing Value
Cost vs. features offered
15%
Integrations
Ecosystem compatibility

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