Navicat vs pgAdmin: 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 Navicat and pgAdmin side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Navicat leads on higher user rating; pgAdmin 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:
Navicat
Manage all your databases visually, from MySQL to Oracle
Best for you if:
- • You want multi-database support
pgAdmin
The most popular and feature-rich open-source administration and development platform for PostgreSQL.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Navicat requires payment)
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $399.99/year Non-Commercial Yearly plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Data & Databases Developer Tools | Data & Databases Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.5 121 reviews | 4.0/5 G2 4.1 · Capterra 4.1 · SourceForge 3.3 110 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Navicat or pgAdmin?
Choose Navicat if
- You want multi-database support
- You want AI features
Choose pgAdmin if
- You want a fully free tool (Navicat requires payment)
- You want open-source and free to use
- You want extensive feature set for comprehensive PostgreSQL management
In-Depth Analysis
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
pgAdmin
The most popular and feature-rich open-source administration and development platform for PostgreSQL.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source and free to use
- Pro: Extensive feature set for comprehensive PostgreSQL management
- Pro: Supports multiple operating systems and PostgreSQL versions
- Pro: Offers both desktop and web-based server deployment options
- Pro: Includes advanced tools like ERD designer and procedural debugger
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be resource-intensive, especially in server mode
- Con: Initial setup for server mode might require technical knowledge
- Con: User interface can sometimes feel complex for beginners
Key features
Plans and prices: Navicat vs pgAdmin
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Navicat |
| navicat.com/pricing read Oct 1, 2026 |
| pgAdmin | No plan prices on file | pgadmin.org |
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 Navicat pricing and pgAdmin pricing.
Key Takeaways
Navicat
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.0/5
pgAdmin
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Navicat leads on higher user rating; pgAdmin leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Navicat has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 121 reviews for Navicat, 4.0/5 from 110 reviews for pgAdmin).
- Navicat starts at $399.99/year; pgAdmin has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only pgAdmin 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 Navicat and pgAdmin compare in 2026?
On the data below, Navicat leads on higher user rating; pgAdmin leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Navicat has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 121 reviews for Navicat, 4.0/5 from 110 reviews for pgAdmin). Navicat starts at $399.99/year; pgAdmin has no public paid plan price on file. Only pgAdmin has a free plan.
What are Navicat and pgAdmin used for?
Navicat: Manage all your databases visually, from MySQL to Oracle. pgAdmin: The most popular and feature-rich open-source administration and development platform for PostgreSQL.
What does Navicat cost vs pgAdmin?
Navicat's cheapest paid plan is Non-Commercial Yearly at $399.99/year. pgAdmin is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Navicat and pgAdmin?
Navicat's main strength: multi-database support. pgAdmin's main strength: open-source and free to use.