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It's a split decision.
Choose Beekeeper Studio if you want an open-source SQL client with named database support across Windows, Mac and Linux, plus table editing and export to CSV, JSON, JSONL or SQL. Its Community plan is free, and paid tiers add features such as AI Shell and cloud workspaces. Choose DataGrip if you need JetBrains’ multiple-database tool and qualify for its free non-commercial tier, or want a commercial individual or organization license. The published details don’t support a universal winner: weigh your licensing terms, integrations and workflow.
01Side by side
| Beekeeper Studio | DataGrip | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $9–$35 per user monthly; lower annual rates | $10.90 individual; $25.90 organization monthly |
| Free tier | Community: free, unlimited connections, queries and tabs | Free for non-commercial use; telemetry collected by default |
| Open source and licence | Open-source SQL client | JetBrains doesn't state DataGrip's open-source status |
| Integrations | Named support for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite and others | Homepage names no specific DataGrip integrations |
| SDK extensibility | Plugin store and SDK for custom plugins | DataGrip-specific SDK details aren't listed |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac and Linux | Web |
| Limits and scaling | Community: unlimited connections, queries and tabs | Organization users cannot exceed active licenses |
| Data export | CSV, JSON, JSONL and SQL exports | DataGrip export formats aren't listed on the homepage |
Beekeeper Studio Choose Beekeeper Studio if
- Choose Beekeeper Studio if you want an open-source SQL client.
- Choose Beekeeper Studio if CSV, JSON, JSONL or SQL export matters.
- Choose Beekeeper Studio if you need a Windows, Mac or Linux client.
DataGrip Choose DataGrip if
- Choose DataGrip if your development use is non-commercial.
- Choose DataGrip if you want a JetBrains commercial individual license.
- Choose DataGrip if your organization needs per-user commercial licensing.
02Pricing at real usage
Beekeeper Studio’s Community plan is free and includes unlimited connections, queries and tabs. Indie costs $18 per user monthly or $9 per user per month with annual billing; each license includes two users. Professional is $28 monthly or $14 annually per user, while Business is $35 or $18. For five Professional users, that is $140 month-to-month or $70 per month equivalent with annual billing. DataGrip is free for non-commercial use, with telemetry collected by default. Its commercial individual license is $10.90 monthly or $9.08 per month billed annually. Organization licenses cost $25.90 monthly or $21.58 per user per month billed annually; five seats cost $129.50 or $107.90 per month equivalent. JetBrains says renewal rates decrease after year one but does not publish those amounts. These are per-user prices, not compute-based charges.
03API, SDKs and integration
Beekeeper Studio is a SQL client for Windows, Mac and Linux. Its homepage lists MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake and other databases. It supports SSL connections and SSH tunnels. The release page describes a plugin store and an SDK for making plugins, but does not specify the SDK language or protocol. Its AI Shell connects to an AI model and can explore a schema, run SQL with permission and check results.
DataGrip is JetBrains’ tool for multiple databases. The JetBrains homepage names no specific DataGrip integrations, API or CLI. It also does not describe a DataGrip SDK or language-specific integration. JetBrains’ statements about navigation, supported languages and built-in development tools describe its IDEs generally, not DataGrip specifically. If you need a particular connector or extension point, check with the vendor before standardizing. The published details give Beekeeper the clearer list of database integrations and a named plugin SDK.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Beekeeper Studio describes itself as open source. JetBrains does not state whether DataGrip is open source. Neither product page describes a self-hosting option, so don’t assume either can be deployed as a self-managed server. Beekeeper does offer cloud workspaces on its Professional plan for syncing connections and saved queries across devices and sharing them in team folders.
Beekeeper can export data to CSV, JSON, JSONL or SQL, with filters for selected data. That gives teams documented export formats for moving data out of the client, though the pages do not describe a full migration workflow for connections or saved queries. JetBrains does not list DataGrip export formats on its homepage. Ask the vendor what data and settings can be exported before making migration requirements part of a rollout.
Questions people ask
Is Beekeeper Studio or DataGrip cheaper?
It depends on the license. Beekeeper Studio’s paid plans start at $18 per user monthly or $9 with annual billing. DataGrip’s commercial individual license starts at $10.90 monthly or $9.08 annually. DataGrip is free for non-commercial use; Beekeeper’s Community plan is free and has no stated commercial-use restriction.
Can I use DataGrip for free at work?
JetBrains lists DataGrip as free for non-commercial use. Its pricing details describe the free tier as limited to non-commercial development, so commercial work requires a commercial license. The free tier also collects telemetry by default.
Which databases does Beekeeper Studio support?
Beekeeper Studio’s homepage lists MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake, Oracle, MariaDB, ClickHouse and others. DataGrip is described as a multiple-database tool, but JetBrains’ homepage does not name specific DataGrip integrations.
Can I export data from either product?
Beekeeper Studio documents exports to CSV, JSON, JSONL and SQL, with filters to export selected data. JetBrains’ homepage does not list DataGrip export formats. If export or migration is a requirement, confirm the formats and scope of export with JetBrains before choosing DataGrip.