# HeidiSQL 16 Hacker News commenters recommended HeidiSQL and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 2 of 13 months. **Verdict:** People recommend it as a fast, lightweight SQL client that starts quickly and connects to many database systems. The most common caveat is that the installer and app have shown ads and that it can crash. ## Why people recommend it - Fast startup and quick connections (4 comments): "IMX, HeidiSQL is faster. It loads quickly and performs better" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48321541)) "Starts instantly compared with DBeaver's Java startup." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48331815)) "It's ready to connect in 2 seconds instead of 45." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48323702)) - Long-time reliable go-to tool (3 comments): "Heidi has been my go-to SQL tool for longer than I can remember." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48324714)) "Heidi was always my preferred one every single time." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48323160)) "Heidi is perfect for the kind of person who connects to a DB once in awhile to just get some crap done." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48323420)) - Lightweight, lighter than Java alternatives (2 comments): "Heidi is perfect for the kind of person who connects to a DB once in awhile to just get some crap done." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48323420)) "Starts instantly compared with DBeaver's Java startup." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48331815)) - Open source and free (2 comments): "it's one of those pieces of open source that was so vital to my career" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48321459)) "HeidiSQL and DBeaver are great, and open source" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48321054)) ## What people warn about - Pop-up ads pushing browser extension (2 comments): "it literally has malvertising that tries to install an extension in your browser right at the top" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48323474)) "a full screen pop up ad that wants you to install a browser extension" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48323487)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [DataGrip](https://hackerapproved.com/p/datagrip.md): 27 recommend - [sqlit](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sqlit.md): 19 recommend - [DBeaver](https://hackerapproved.com/p/dbeaver.md): 17 recommend - [DB Pro](https://hackerapproved.com/p/db-pro.md): 12 recommend - [SQL Studio](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sql-studio.md): 10 recommend ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "HeidiSQL", https://hackerapproved.com/p/heidisql/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).