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pgcli alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave pgcli: terminal only, no visual editing, and postgreSQL only. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces pgcli, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. usql currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1usql logousqlOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 366.5
2Harlequin logoHarlequinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 362.6
3pgAdmin logopgAdminOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 459.6
  1. usql logo

    1. usqlTop pick

    Best for: Terminal users who move between many different databases

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from pgcli

    A single psql-like CLI that also works with MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle and more.

    Pros

    • One consistent CLI for dozens of databases
    • psql-style commands and URL connections
    • Single binary, free and MIT-licensed

    Cons

    • Thinner database-specific features
    • Terminal only
    • Smart completion is less advanced than pgcli
    Visit usql Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is usql a good pgcli alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Type
    Universal SQL command-line interface
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Supported databases
    PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQLite, SQL Server and many more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Harlequin logo

    2. Harlequin

    Best for: Data engineers who want a full SQL IDE in the terminal, especially for DuckDB

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from pgcli

    A full-screen terminal SQL IDE with a catalogue and results viewer.

    Pros

    • Full SQL IDE in any terminal, including over SSH
    • DuckDB and SQLite built in, adapters for many more
    • Free and MIT-licensed

    Cons

    • No visual schema design or table editing
    • Needs Python tooling to install
    • Adapter quality varies by database
    Visit Harlequin Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Harlequin a good pgcli alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Type
    Terminal SQL IDE
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Install
    uv tool install
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. pgAdmin logo

    3. pgAdmin

    Best for: PostgreSQL users and DBAs who need full administration features at no cost

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Web, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from pgcli

    A free graphical tool for full Postgres administration.

    Pros

    • Covers nearly every PostgreSQL feature
    • Desktop app or shared web server
    • Free, permissively licensed and community maintained

    Cons

    • PostgreSQL only
    • Busy, form-heavy interface
    • Can feel slow for quick everyday queries
    Visit pgAdmin Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is pgAdmin a good pgcli alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    PostgreSQL licence
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pgadmin.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Deployment
    Desktop or server mode
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pgadmin.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pgadmin.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Built with
    Python and React, Electron desktop runtime
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pgadmin.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best pgcli alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

usql logo

Best pgcli alternative for most people

usql

A single psql-like CLI that also works with MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle and more.

Harlequin logo

Best pgcli alternative for a free option

Harlequin

A full-screen terminal SQL IDE with a catalogue and results viewer.

pgAdmin logo

Best pgcli alternative for open source

pgAdmin

A free graphical tool for full Postgres administration.

pgAdmin logo

Best pgcli alternative for self-hosting

pgAdmin

A free graphical tool for full Postgres administration.

Postico logo

Best pgcli alternative for Mac

Postico

A simple native Mac GUI for Postgres.

usql logo

Best pgcli alternative for Windows

usql

A single psql-like CLI that also works with MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle and more.

usql logo

Best pgcli alternative for Linux

usql

A single psql-like CLI that also works with MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle and more.

pgAdmin logo

Best pgcli alternative for working in the browser

pgAdmin

A free graphical tool for full Postgres administration.

pgcli alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to pgcli?

usql ranks first right now. A single psql-like CLI that also works with MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle and more. Harlequin and pgAdmin follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to pgcli?

Yes. usql (open source), Harlequin (open source) and pgAdmin (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to pgcli?

Yes: usql, Harlequin and pgAdmin. pgAdmin can also be self-hosted.

Which pgcli alternatives work on Linux?

usql, Harlequin and pgAdmin run on Linux.

Why do people switch from pgcli?

The complaints we hear most: terminal only, no visual editing; postgreSQL only; needs Python to install.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces pgcli, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.