DataGrip is a SQL IDE built for writing code. VisuaLeaf is a visual workspace for 30+ SQL databases: build joins from your foreign keys, read EXPLAIN as a plan, see the schema as a diagram, and chart the results, with a free Community Edition.
DataGrip is JetBrains' database IDE, and for people who live in SQL it is excellent. Its editor brings the IntelliJ platform to SQL: context-aware completion, inspections, refactoring, navigation and version control, across a wide range of databases.
It is also built for writing code first. There is no visual query builder, so every join is typed by hand, and the tool assumes you are comfortable in a full IDE. For commercial use it requires a paid JetBrains subscription.
VisuaLeaf takes the other approach. It covers the daily SQL loop (connect, browse, edit rows, write SQL with autocomplete) and puts visual tools around it: a query builder that suggests joins from foreign keys, ER diagrams drawn from the live schema, EXPLAIN rendered as a plan, JSON columns as a tree, and charts and dashboards on query results.
If your team mixes SQL with MongoDB, both connect in the same app, and you can move data between them on a schedule.
Choose DataGrip if you write SQL all day and want IDE-grade refactoring, inspections and version control. Choose VisuaLeaf if you want to build queries visually, see schemas and plans as diagrams, chart results, and start with a free edition.
The features SQL developers ask about most, including the ones where DataGrip is ahead.
| Feature | VisuaLeaf | DataGrip |
|---|---|---|
| SQL editor with autocomplete Completion for tables, columns and functions | ||
| Inline grid editing Edit cells, insert and delete rows | ||
| Schema diagrams Generated from foreign keys in the live schema | ||
| Visual EXPLAIN plan Read execution plans visually | ||
| Compare table data Diff rows between two tables | ||
| MongoDB support Connect to MongoDB alongside SQL | ||
| Visual query builder Pick columns, filters and joins; get SQL | ||
| Visual aggregation pipeline builder Build MongoDB pipelines stage by stage | ||
| Scheduled import, export and transfer Run jobs between databases on a schedule | ||
| SQL to MongoDB sync Snapshot and change-data-capture between SQL and MongoDB | ||
| SQL inspections and refactoring Rename across scripts, find problems as you type | ||
| Version control integration Git and the rest of the JetBrains IDE tooling | ||
| Free edition for commercial use Use it at work without paying |
Based on DataGrip public documentation, checked October 2026. Partial means the feature exists but is limited or needs a paid edition; hover a partial mark for details.
DataGrip is a strong tool used by many teams. Here is the fair read.
The same workspace adapts to each engine you connect.
Expand jsonb, json and array columns as a tree and edit nested values without writing jsonb_set. Browse every schema, read EXPLAIN as a plan, and connect to Supabase, Neon, RDS or Aurora over SSL or an SSH tunnel. PostgreSQL GUI
Draw an ER diagram from your InnoDB foreign keys, build joins with a live SQL preview, open JSON columns as a tree, and manage users by user@host with GRANT and REVOKE from a form. MySQL GUI · MariaDB
Open a .sqlite or .db file directly, with no connection string, and run PRAGMA, JSON1 and FTS5 queries. Work with SQL Server and Azure SQL on Windows, macOS or Linux. SQLite GUI · SQL Server GUI
Where VisuaLeaf goes further, in more detail.
Tick the columns you want, add filters from dropdowns, and accept the join VisuaLeaf suggests from a foreign key. Aggregates, GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY and LIMIT are point-and-click, and the SQL preview updates live so you can copy the statement into the editor and finish it there.
The VisuaLeaf Community Edition is free and includes the SQL databases, the SQL editor, inline editing and ER diagrams. The visual query builder, EXPLAIN plans and charts are in the paid plans, sold as one-time licences.
Export tables to CSV, JSON or SQL dumps, restore dumps, copy data between SQL databases or into MongoDB, chain tasks and review their history, all scheduled from the Task Manager.
DataGrip connects to MongoDB too, mainly through its query console. VisuaLeaf started as a MongoDB GUI, so MongoDB gets visual tools of its own: collections in tree, table and BSON views, a visual query builder and aggregation pipeline builder, schema diagrams, GridFS, and SQL Mode for querying collections with SELECT and WHERE.
VisuaLeaf can also keep SQL and MongoDB in step. Migration jobs take a snapshot and then follow the source database's change log for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server and Oracle. See the MongoDB GUI page for details.
If SQL is code you maintain in a repository, with refactoring, inspections and version control, DataGrip is the stronger tool, and it connects to more databases through JDBC. VisuaLeaf is the better fit when you want to understand and explore data visually, or when not everyone on the team wants a full IDE.
Practical migration notes.
Create each connection from the connection form with host, port, database and credentials; SSL and SSH tunnels are supported. Many developers keep DataGrip for scripting and use VisuaLeaf for exploring schemas, building queries and charting results.
VisuaLeaf has a free Community Edition that includes the SQL databases. The visual query builder and EXPLAIN plans come with Basic ($79), and charts, dashboards and user management with Pro ($149), each a one-time licence with a year of updates (monthly billing is also offered). Every Pro feature is free for 14 days, no credit card required.
The questions we hear most often from teams evaluating VisuaLeaf against DataGrip.
For visual work, yes: VisuaLeaf adds a visual query builder, ER diagrams, EXPLAIN plans, charts and scheduled transfers across 30+ SQL databases plus MongoDB. For SQL refactoring, inspections and version control, DataGrip remains stronger.
No. DataGrip is built around writing SQL in its editor. VisuaLeaf has a visual query builder that suggests joins from your foreign keys and shows the generated SQL as you build.
VisuaLeaf has a free Community Edition that includes the SQL databases, the SQL editor, inline editing and ER diagrams. The visual query builder, EXPLAIN plans and charts are in the paid plans.
Yes. VisuaLeaf connects to MongoDB in every edition and adds MongoDB-specific visual tools such as an aggregation pipeline builder, schema diagrams and GridFS, alongside your SQL connections.
Yes. VisuaLeaf supports Windows 10 and 11, macOS 11 or later, and Linux through .deb and .rpm packages, with an arm64 .deb for ARM machines.
There is a free Community Edition that includes SQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite and SQL Server. Basic ($79) adds the visual query builder and EXPLAIN plans, and Pro ($149) adds charts, dashboards and user management. Both are one-time licences with a year of updates, and every Pro feature can be tried free for 14 days.
If DataGrip feels like more IDE than you need for exploring data, connect the same databases to VisuaLeaf and compare them on real work.
Free Community Edition, plus every Pro feature free for 14 days. No credit card required.