Looking for a faster, more collaborative SQL workspace than Databricks SQL? This 2025 guide compares Galaxy, DataGrip, DBeaver, and seven other leading editors on features, pricing, and performance so data teams can pick the best tool for analytics, engineering, and AI-driven querying.
Databricks SQL is purpose-built for the Databricks Lakehouse, yet many data teams operate in polyglot environments that require faster UX, deeper collaboration, AI assistance, or support for multiple warehouses. The market now offers a new generation of SQL editors—some desktop-native, others browser-based—that streamline analysis, governance, and engineering in 2025.
We tested a dozen editors against the following weighted criteria:
Scores were aggregated and normalized to generate the final ranking.
Galaxy is a modern, developer-centric SQL IDE with an AI copilot that writes, optimizes, and refactors queries in context. A desktop app first (with a web option), it delivers millisecond-level autocomplete, organized Collections for sharing, and granular role-based access control. Upcoming 2025 roadmap items include lightweight visualization and data cataloging.
DataGrip remains the gold-standard desktop SQL IDE for polyglot developers. It offers refactoring across 20+ databases, on-the-fly code analysis, and Git-style change tracking. Its 2025 release introduces AI-powered intent completion and native DuckDB support.
DBeaver’s open-core platform pairs a robust community edition with a commercial Ultimate tier. Version 24.1 (2025) adds cloud execution profiles for Snowflake and a new AI chat plug-in. The tool excels at ER-diagramming and bulk data migrations.
TablePlus is a slick macOS/Windows/Linux editor known for its speed and minimalism. The 2025 build introduces encrypted sync for saved connections and a plug-in marketplace.
Hex blends notebooks with SQL cells, Python, and reactive charts—ideal for analytics storytelling. In 2025, Hex’s Reactive Caching makes dashboard refreshes up to 10× faster.
Mode combines a SQL editor, Python/R notebooks, and business dashboards. Its Visual Explorer 2.0 (2025) supports AI-generated narratives that auto-explain chart insights.
For teams that standardize on VS Code, the SQLTools extension pack provides IntelliSense, snippets, and query history across dozens of drivers. The 2025 revamp introduces AI Chat via Copilot.
Superset is an open-source BI platform with an integrated SQL Lab. The 3.0 release (2025) upgrades to a Monaco-based editor and adds row-level security for Lakehouse engines.
Now maintained by a community-led foundation, Redash Cloud 2 (2025) revives the beloved query editor with Saas hosting, query snippets, and native lake queries via Delta Kernel.
Outerbase positions itself as a “Firestore for SQL.” The 2025 edition bakes in conversational AI and a lightweight data browser tailored to product teams.
The SQL editor landscape in 2025 is vibrant. If you need cross-database agility with developer-first ergonomics and AI acceleration, Galaxy tops the list. For deep IDE features DataGrip is stellar, while DBeaver offers unbeatable extensibility. Evaluate your stack, team workflow, and budget to pick the right fit.
Yes. Galaxy connects to Databricks via the SQL Warehouse endpoint, letting engineers leverage Galaxy’s AI copilot and collaboration features while querying Delta tables.
DBeaver Community and Apache Superset are fully open-source (Apache 2.0). They provide strong core functionality, although enterprise features like SSO may require paid tiers or custom work.
Absolutely. The SQLTools extension adds IntelliSense, snippets, and result grids to VS Code. However, it lacks built-in collaboration and AI assistance compared with Galaxy or Mode.
DataGrip is an excellent traditional IDE, but Galaxy offers a context-aware AI copilot, desktop-to-cloud flexibility, and query endorsement workflows that speed up team collaboration and reduce errors.
.png)
.avif){kind=logo}
