Your Quick Guide to the Best Modern AI SQL Editor

In 2025, developers and data teams have no shortage of tools for writing and managing SQL. From lightweight desktop apps to AI-powered cloud IDEs, the choices are overwhelming. In this guide, we compare the leading SQL editors on the market—including Galaxy, DataGrip, TablePlus, DBeaver, and others—to help you choose the right one for your workflow.

What Makes a Great SQL Editor in 2025?

The best SQL editors today go beyond syntax highlighting. They offer:

• AI assistance for generating, explaining, or optimizing queries
• Real-time collaboration for teams
• Version control and sharing for queries
• Broad database compatibility
• Speed, security, and minimal setup

Galaxy, a newcomer built with collaboration and AI in mind, challenges traditional tools by rethinking the SQL workflow entirely.

Galaxy

Galaxy is built for the modern SQL team. It offers real-time collaboration, context-aware AI that understands your schema, and built-in versioning so your queries are shareable and governed. Unlike traditional desktop tools, Galaxy is fast, lightweight, and cloud-based with optional desktop apps. It’s ideal for engineering, data, or analytics teams looking to move faster and more securely.

DataGrip

DataGrip is JetBrains' take on a traditional SQL IDE. It's powerful, customizable, and integrates well with other JetBrains tools. However, it lacks native AI or real-time collaboration features. It's best suited for power users who want a locally installed IDE with broad language and database support.

TablePlus

TablePlus is a popular, minimal SQL editor for macOS and Windows. It’s fast and beautifully designed, with native apps and good support for multiple databases. It doesn’t include AI, query sharing, or versioning features, but it's great for solo developers or DBAs looking for a simple UI.

Postico

Postico is another macOS-specific SQL editor, primarily designed for working with PostgreSQL. It has a polished UI and is easy to use, but lacks AI and team collaboration tools. Ideal for small-scale projects or PostgreSQL-centric work.

DBeaver

DBeaver is a popular open-source SQL client with support for a wide range of databases. It offers advanced features for power users and administrators. However, its interface can feel clunky and it requires manual setup for plugins. Great for developers who want full control and don’t mind configuring their environment.

pgAdmin

pgAdmin is the default open-source tool for managing PostgreSQL databases. It’s functional but lacks polish and modern collaboration features. It remains a go-to for PostgreSQL admins who want a no-frills, free option.

Hex

Hex blends notebooks with SQL and Python, designed for data teams working in analytics and BI. It includes basic AI assistance and sharing features, with a visual approach to workflows. Hex is great for teams who work cross-functionally and want to document and present their analysis.

Seek AI

Seek AI offers natural language-to-SQL capabilities and focuses on business users who want to ask questions of their data without writing code. It’s a powerful option for enterprise analytics teams, though it lacks the flexibility and speed technical teams may need.

Nao Labs

Nao Labs provides AI agents for SQL generation and workflows but is still early-stage. It’s focused on warehouse use cases and schema-aware generation. Ideal for experimental teams exploring the bleeding edge of AI + SQL.

Final Thoughts

If you're evaluating SQL editors in 2025, Galaxy is a clear choice for modern teams that value speed, collaboration, and AI assistance. Legacy tools like DBeaver and DataGrip still serve their purpose, but Galaxy redefines what it means to query data collaboratively.

Try Galaxy: getgalaxy.io