HeidiSQL vs Navicat: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for HeidiSQL and Navicat side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, HeidiSQL leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
HeidiSQL
Manage and edit data and structures across multiple popular database systems with ease.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Navicat requires payment)
Navicat
Manage all your databases visually, from MySQL to Oracle
Best for you if:
- • You want multi-database support
| At a Glance | HeidiSQL | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | From $399.99/year Non-Commercial Yearly plan |
Category | Data & Databases Developer Tools | Data & Databases Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.4/5 SourceForge 4.2 · G2 4.8 12 reviews | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.5 121 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose HeidiSQL or Navicat?
Choose HeidiSQL if
- You want a fully free tool (Navicat requires payment)
- You want completely free and open-source
- You want supports a wide range of popular database systems
Choose Navicat if
- You want multi-database support
- You want AI features
In-Depth Analysis
HeidiSQL
Manage and edit data and structures across multiple popular database systems with ease.
HeidiSQL offers an incredibly generous pricing model, as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free and open-source
- Pro: Supports a wide range of popular database systems
- Pro: Intuitive user interface for ease of use
- Pro: Comprehensive features for data and structure management
- Pro: Active development and maintenance
Weaknesses
- Con: macOS version is in early preview with limited functionality (e.g., no MS SQL support yet)
- Con: Primarily Windows-focused, with Linux and macOS versions being newer additions
- Con: Some minor bugs or limitations may exist, as seen in forum discussions (e.g., trigger body display issues)
Key features
Navicat
Manage all your databases visually, from MySQL to Oracle
Navicat's pricing is on the expensive side for individual non-commercial users, with the 'Non-Commercial Monthly' at $39.99.
Strengths
- Pro: Multi-database support
- Pro: AI features
- Pro: Fortune 500 trusted
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive licensing
Key features
Plans and prices: HeidiSQL vs Navicat
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| HeidiSQL |
| heidisql.com read Nov 2, 2026 |
| Navicat |
| navicat.com/pricing read Oct 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on HeidiSQL pricing and Navicat pricing.
Key Takeaways
HeidiSQL
- Has a free plan
Navicat
- Choose if you want manage all your databases visually, from MySQL to Oracle
What the data shows
On the data below, HeidiSQL leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.4/5 from 12 reviews for HeidiSQL, 4.6/5 from 121 reviews for Navicat; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Navicat starts at $399.99/year; HeidiSQL has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only HeidiSQL has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do HeidiSQL and Navicat compare in 2026?
On the data below, HeidiSQL leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.4/5 from 12 reviews for HeidiSQL, 4.6/5 from 121 reviews for Navicat; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Navicat starts at $399.99/year; HeidiSQL has no public paid plan price on file. Only HeidiSQL has a free plan.
What are HeidiSQL and Navicat used for?
HeidiSQL: Manage and edit data and structures across multiple popular database systems with ease. Navicat: Manage all your databases visually, from MySQL to Oracle.
What does HeidiSQL cost vs Navicat?
HeidiSQL is free. Navicat's cheapest paid plan is Non-Commercial Yearly at $399.99/year. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between HeidiSQL and Navicat?
HeidiSQL's main strength: completely free and open-source. Navicat's main strength: multi-database support.