Prisma Studio vs MongoDB Compass: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Prisma Studio and MongoDB Compass comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Prisma Studio
Explore and edit data in your Prisma project, locally or collaboratively in the cloud.
Best for you if:
- • You need debugging features specifically
- • Visually explore and edit data in Prisma projects without SQL.
- • Supports local development and real-time team collaboration via Prisma Console.
MongoDB Compass
MongoDB GUI tool
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 7.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need data visualization features specifically
- • Official GUI for MongoDB
- • Visual query builder and aggregations
| At a Glance |  Prisma Studio |  MongoDB Compass |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Debugging | Data Visualization |
Rating | 70/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Prisma Studio | MongoDB Compass |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 70 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 163 |
| Categories | DebuggingDatabase Builders | Data VisualizationDatabase Builders |
How Prisma Studio and MongoDB Compass Compare
Prisma Studio
Explore and edit data in your Prisma project, locally or collaboratively in the cloud.
Free tier available · 70/100 score
MongoDB Compass
MongoDB GUI tool
Free · 86/100 score
Prisma Studio is a debugging tool. MongoDB Compass is in data visualization.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
MongoDB Compass is free. Prisma Studio is freemium.
Go with: MongoDB Compass
Want the highest-rated option?
Prisma Studio: 70/100. MongoDB Compass: 86/100.
Go with: MongoDB Compass
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: MongoDB Compass
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Prisma Studio is freemium. MongoDB Compass is free. Go with MongoDB Compass if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Prisma Studio is a debugging tool. MongoDB Compass is in data visualization. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
MongoDB Compass scores higher: 86/100 vs 70/100.
Key Takeaways
MongoDB Compass
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 70
- More community upvotes (163)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Prisma Studio
- Better fit for debugging
The Bottom Line
MongoDB Compass (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prisma Studio or MongoDB Compass better?
MongoDB Compass scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Prisma Studio is freemium and MongoDB Compass is free.
What are Prisma Studio and MongoDB Compass used for?
Prisma Studio: Explore and edit data in your Prisma project, locally or collaboratively in the cloud.. MongoDB Compass: MongoDB GUI tool.
What does Prisma Studio cost vs MongoDB Compass?
Prisma Studio is freemium (free tier + paid plans). MongoDB Compass is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.