Manage MySQL from Windows with these five apps

There are plenty of GUI tools available that can manage your MySQL database, even from the Windows environment.

MySQL is one of the most popular database servers on the planet. It's free, open source, and as powerful as any other database around. MySQL is also cross-platform; and, like with Linux, there is no built-in GUI tool for Windows. However, that's not really an issue because there are plenty of GUI tools available that can manage your MySQL database - even from the Windows environment. These tools can connect to both local and remote databases; so it doesn't matter of your MySQL server is on the Windows machine or a Linux server.

I have found five outstanding MySQL managers for you to examine. Of these five, you will certainly find one that will help you manage all aspects of your MySQL databases.

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Five apps

1. MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench is the de facto standard for MySQL database management. This particular tool is ideal for DBAS to aid with: Database Design & Modeling, SQL Development (replacing MySQL Query Browser), and Database Administration (replacing MySQL Administrator). MySQL features: SQL editor, SQL code completion, SQL code formatter, SQL Syntax highlighting, server start/stop, server status/health, server logs, server/replication configuration, user management, session management, and much, much more.

2. Toad for Windows

Toad for Windows allows you to quickly create and execute database queries. With Toad you can:  Compare, extract, and search for objects; manage projects; import/export data; and administer the database. Toad also features: Version control, macro record/playback, database browser, code snippet editor, security manager, SQL editor, multi-tab schema browser, import/export utility. Toad supports Windows from XP on and is incredibly easy to install and use.

3. HeidiSQL

HeidiSQL is a lightweight database administrator that allows you to connect to multiple database servers in one easy to use window. HeidiSQL features: Connect via SSH tunnel, create and edit tables/views, generate SQL-exports, manage user privileges, import text files, export, browse and edit table data. HeidiSQL also allows you to bulk edit tables, batch insert ascii or binary, write queries, pretty reform, monitor and kill client-processes, search for text in databases, and optimize and repair tables. HeidiSQL offers a very easy to use GUI.

4. EMS MySQL Manager

EMS MySQL Manager not only allows you to manage your databases, but also your MySQL server as well. EMS works with all versions of MySQL from 3.0 and up. EMS supports all of the MySQL features including views, stored procedures, functions, InnoDB foreign keys, and more. EMS MySQL Manager offers an easy to use GUI with a very powerful wizard to help you through the process of managing your databases and servers.

5. Navicat

Navicat is unique in that it is not free. Navicat is cross-platform, and offers a ton of features (to see the full listing, check out this feature matrix). The Windows version of Navicat features: Latest MySQL version support, connection options, instant navigation over databases, powerful visual database designer, visual builder/SQL editor, import/export, powerful data manipulation tools, powerful security management, easy to use report builder, and much more. The licenses for Navicat for MySQL start at $129.00 for the standard edition and go up to $199.00 for the Enterprise edition.

Bottom line

If you're looking for powerful tools to help you manage your MySQL databases, look no further than one of these. From the industry standard (and official GUI for MySQL) MySQL Workbench to the Enterprise-grade Navicat, you'll find a tool that can do anything you need with your MySQL databases.