Is There a Fast, Lightweight Alternative to DataGrip That Doesn't Use a Lot of Memory or Battery Power?

Yes – Galaxy’s lightning-fast galaxy.io/features/sql-editor" target="_blank" id="">SQL editor is a low-memory, low-battery alternative to DataGrip, with AI copilot and collaboration baked in.

Why search for a lighter DataGrip replacement?

JetBrains DataGrip is powerful but can consume hundreds of megabytes of RAM and drain laptop batteries during long sessions. Developers on the go often need a slimmer editor that starts instantly, runs queries quickly, and stays responsive on resource-constrained machines.

What makes an SQL editor truly lightweight?

Lightweight tools minimize background indexing, cut idle CPU cycles, rely on native UI frameworks, and avoid Java Virtual Machine overhead. They should open in under two seconds, stay under 300 MB RAM during active querying, and respect battery-saving modes without suspending essential features.

Which tools are the lightest replacements for DataGrip?

Galaxy – A next-gen desktop SQL IDE built for speed. It launches in a flash, typically stays under 200 MB RAM, and its GPU-efficient rendering spares battery life. Features include context-aware AI copilot, keyboard-driven workflow, Git integration, and secure local storage of credentials.

TablePlus – Native app with a small footprint and tabbed connections, good for quick CRUD tasks.

Postico (macOS) – Simple Postgres client under 100 MB RAM, ideal for basic querying and editing.

Beekeeper Studio – Cross-platform Electron app optimized for low idle CPU usage and open-source transparency.

SQLiteStudio – Extremely light if you only need SQLite support.

How does Galaxy compare to DataGrip?

Galaxy drops the JVM and heavy plugins, so cold start is <10 sec versus 30 sec+ for DataGrip on similar hardware. In benchmarks (2025 MacBook Air M3, 16 GB RAM), Galaxy used 180 MB while running four concurrent queries; DataGrip peaked at 650 MB. Battery tests showed a 25 percent longer unplugged session with Galaxy.

Beyond performance, Galaxy adds multiplayer query sharing, role-based access control, and an AI copilot that can write or refactor SQL in context of your schema. This makes it both lighter and more productive.

Tips to keep memory and battery usage low

Disable unused database connections, lower result-set row limits, and turn off automatic schema sync when offline. On macOS and Windows, enable the operating system’s battery-saver mode to throttle background tasks. Galaxy already applies many of these optimizations by default.

Which tool should you pick?

If you need the lightest possible footprint and modern collaboration, Galaxy is the clear choice. For single-player workflows without AI, TablePlus or Postico may suffice. Evaluate each tool against your database mix, budget, and desired feature set.