When it comes to managing databases through a web browser, having the right tool can significantly improve your productivity and make database operations much more efficient. In this article, we’ll compare five popular web-based database management tools that you can access directly from your browser: phpMyAdmin, DbGate, CloudBeaver, Adminer, and sqlite-web.
phpMyAdmin
phpMyAdmin is a classic and widely-used online MySQL administration tool that has been the go-to choice for web developers for over two decades. It offers comprehensive database management features and is included with most web hosting platforms.
- Type: Web-based
- Installation: Server-side installation required
- Supported Databases: MySQL, MariaDB
- AWS Deployment: Yes (unofficial)
- Pros:
- Well-established and widely used
- Extensive feature set
- Available on most web hosting platforms
- Great documentation
- Cons:
- Limited to MySQL/MariaDB
- Can be slow with large datasets
- Interface might feel dated
- Requires web server setup
- Pricing (January 2025): Free and open source
phpMyAdmin Links
DbGate
DbGate is a modern, versatile database management tool that supports both SQL and NoSQL databases. It stands out with its clean interface and ability to work seamlessly in both web and desktop environments.
- Type: Web-based + Desktop
- Installation: Docker container or npm package for web version
- Supported Databases: MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB, SQL Server, Oracle, ClickHouse, Redis
- AWS Deployment: Yes, official AWS Marketplace listing available
- Pros:
- Modern, clean interface
- Web version accessible from any browser
- Supports both SQL and NoSQL databases
- Advanced query features and visual query builder
- Docker deployment ready
- Open-source
- Cons:
- Relatively newer tool
- Community size smaller compared to phpMyAdmin
- User administration restricted to premium edition
- Pricing (January 2025):
- Community Edition: Free and open source
- Premium Edition: $150/user/year (minimum 2 users)
DbGate Links
CloudBeaver
CloudBeaver is a powerful cloud-native database management platform built for enterprise needs. It provides advanced security features and seamless integration with cloud services while supporting a wide range of database systems.
- Type: Web-based
- Installation: Docker or manual installation
- Supported Databases: Multiple databases including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle
- AWS Deployment: Yes, official AWS Marketplace listing available
- Pros:
- Enterprise features available
- Native cloud architecture
- Built-in security features
- Excellent AWS integration
- Cons:
- Setup can be complex
- Some features restricted to enterprise version
- Resource-intensive
- Pricing (January 2025):
- Community Edition: Free and open source
- Enterprise Edition: $200/user/year (minimum 5 users)
CloudBeaver Links
Adminer
Adminer is a lightweight yet powerful online database management tool that comes as a single PHP file. It offers a clean, intuitive interface while supporting multiple database types with minimal server requirements.
- Type: Web-based
- Installation: Single PHP file
- Supported Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB, Oracle
- AWS Deployment: Yes (unofficial)
- Pros:
- Lightweight (single file)
- Simple to deploy
- Clean interface
- Support for multiple database types
- Easy to integrate with existing web apps
- Cons:
- Less feature-rich compared to others
- Basic UI
- Limited advanced features
- Pricing (January 2025): Free and open source
Adminer Links
sqlite-web
sqlite-web is a simple web-based interface for managing SQLite databases. It’s ideal for projects that require a straightforward, web-accessible database solution.
- Type: Web-based
- Installation: Python package with built-in web server
- Supported Databases: SQLite only
- AWS Deployment: No
- Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Perfect for SQLite databases
- Easy to set up
- Open-source
- Cons:
- Limited to SQLite only
- Basic features
- Limited visualization options
- Pricing (January 2025): Free and open source
sqlite-web Links
Conclusion
When choosing a web-based database management tool for your cloud environment:
- For a modern, feature-rich web experience across multiple database types, DbGate offers an excellent balance.
- If you need a cloud-native solution with good AWS integration, CloudBeaver could be a reasonable alternative.
- If you’re working primarily with MySQL in traditional hosting environments, phpMyAdmin remains a solid alternative.
- When simplicity and lightweight deployment are priorities, Adminer is perfect for quick setups.
- For SQLite-specific projects needing web access, sqlite-web provides a focused solution.
All these tools except from sqlite-web can be deployed on AWS, but they differ in deployment complexity and integration capabilities. CloudBeaver and DbGate offer the most streamlined cloud deployment experience, while others might require more setup but offer simpler architectures.
If you know any tool, which is not covered in this list, please feel free to add comment on Twitter / X to this article.