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A DBeaver alternative
that lives in your editor.

DBeaver is a capable, free, open source workbench. DBCode is a database IDE inside VS Code. Here's an honest look at where each one wins.

The short version

DBeaver Community is free, open source, and has been around for years. If you want a standalone database workbench and don't mind working outside your editor, it holds up. DBCode makes a different trade: it turns VS Code into the database IDE, so your schema, data, and queries live next to your code and your AI tools.

The gap shows up in two places. First, integration: DBeaver is a separate Eclipse based app, DBCode is a tab in the editor you already have open. Second, what free covers: DBeaver Community leaves out NoSQL databases, the visual query builder, and AI, which start at $113 a year with PRO. In DBCode, MongoDB and Redis are ordinary connections and AI ships in the extension.

At a glance

DBCode vs DBeaver.

DBCode DBeaver
What it is VS Code extension Standalone app (Eclipse based)
Runs in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf Its own window
Price Free tier, Pro $36/year Community free, PRO from $113/year
Open source No Community: Apache 2.0
Databases 80+, all editions 100+ (NoSQL and cloud need PRO)
AI Copilot, MCP, local LLMs Paid editions only
Feature by feature

What's in the box.

DBCode DBeaver
Runs in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf
SQL editor with autocomplete
Visual query builder PRO only
Schema ERD
Data grid editing
SQL notebooks (SQL + markdown)
NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Redis, Cassandra) PRO only
AI natural language queries Paid editions
AI data grid (filter, sort, chart via NL)
MCP server (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.)
Local LLMs / BYOK (Ollama, OpenAI)
Execution plans
SSH tunnels (built-in)
Backup and restore
Real-time streaming (LISTEN/NOTIFY, change streams)
Secure sharing (encrypted links)
Open source Apache 2.0 (Community)
Free tier Yes, unlimited connections Community edition

Verified July 2026 against dbeaver.io and dbeaver.com. DBeaver PRO pricing is the Lite edition, per user, per year. Spot an inaccuracy? Let us know. Want the wider picture? See the full comparison table.

Why switch

Three things people mention when they move:

  • No more alt-tab. Queries, results, and schema live in editor tabs next to the code that uses them. Same shortcuts, same theme, same window.
  • AI that's already wired up. Copilot gets tools to read your schema and run queries, an MCP server registers automatically, and you can point inline completion at local models via Ollama. In DBeaver, AI is a paid-edition feature.
  • One tier for every engine. 80+ databases in every edition, unlimited connections on the free tier, no NoSQL paywall.

Moving over is quick: DBCode imports connections from CSV and JSON files, plus Azure Data Studio and pgAdmin formats.

To be fair

When DBeaver is the better fit.

  • You want open source. DBeaver Community is Apache 2.0: you can audit it, patch it, and fork it. DBCode is not open source.
  • You don't work in a VS Code family editor. DBCode only makes sense inside VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or another fork. If your day happens in vim or a JetBrains IDE, DBeaver standalone is the more natural fit.
  • You lean on PRO's admin depth. DBeaver PRO's task scheduler and dedicated DBA tooling go further than DBCode does today for heavy administration work.
FAQ

Common questions.

Is DBCode free?
DBCode has a free tier with unlimited connections and the core workflow: browsing, querying, autocomplete, ERDs, notebooks, and charts. Pro adds visual data editing, import, streaming, and more. See the pricing page for the full split.
Can DBCode handle MongoDB, Redis, or Cassandra without a paid plan?
Yes. Every database DBCode supports is available in every edition. There is no separate driver tier: NoSQL databases are ordinary connections.
How do I move my connections over?
DBCode imports connections from CSV and JSON files with custom field mappings, plus Azure Data Studio and pgAdmin formats. Run "DBCode: Import Connections" from the command palette.
Does DBCode work in Cursor or Windsurf?
Yes. DBCode publishes every release to Open VSX, so it installs in Cursor, Windsurf, and other VS Code forks the same way it does in VS Code.

DBCode is rated 4.7 ★ from 71 reviews on the VS Code Marketplace, with 790,000+ installs across the VS Code Marketplace and Open VSX.

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