A browser-based alternative to DBeaver
Planche is a lighter alternative for developers who want everyday database work in a browser instead of a large desktop application. The browser connects to a local Planche Agent, which holds the database connection. DBeaver is a mature desktop database tool with broader database and administration coverage; its Community edition is free and open source.
Open Planche
| Consideration | Planche | DBeaver |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Browser-based UI; a local agent connects to network databases | Desktop application for Windows, macOS and Linux |
| Connection path | Browser → 127.0.0.1 → Planche Agent → Database | The desktop application connects through database drivers on the user’s computer |
| Database breadth | MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, Oracle, Redis, Elasticsearch and OpenSearch, plus selected hosted services | A substantially broader catalog of relational, NoSQL, cloud and analytics databases; see the official driver documentation |
| SQL editor and editable grid | Included in Free | Included in DBeaver Community |
| ER diagrams | Foreign-key ERD with locally saved layouts, included in Free | Schema, table and custom diagrams with more diagram tooling |
| SSH tunneling | Pro; password, private key or ssh-agent | Password, public key and agent authentication are documented |
| Free edition | No account or time limit; unlimited connections and query tabs | Community edition is free and open source |
When Planche is the better fit
Choose Planche when you want a focused browser SQL client, a visible local connection boundary and a fast path from opening a page to querying a database. The free client includes the editor, editable grid, schema browser, ERD, query history and production guard rails.
Planche is particularly suited to its first-class engines: MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server and Oracle. It is not trying to reproduce DBeaver’s entire driver ecosystem.
When DBeaver may be the better fit
Choose DBeaver when you need a database or driver Planche does not support, deeper database administration, a richer diagram editor or a mature Eclipse-style desktop workspace. DBeaver also provides its own web-oriented product, CloudBeaver; this page compares Planche with the DBeaver desktop client.
Questions
Is Planche a free DBeaver alternative?
Yes, for the databases and workflows Planche supports. The free client has no account, time, connection or query-tab limit. SSH tunnels, comparison tools, dry run, federated queries and the scratchpad require Pro. DBeaver Community is also free and open source.
Does Planche support every database DBeaver supports?
No. DBeaver has a much broader driver catalog. Planche supports MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server and Oracle, plus Neon, Supabase, Cloudflare D1 and local Cloudflare Durable Objects development.
Does Planche send my database credentials to a cloud database proxy?
No. Network connections run in the Planche Agent on your machine. Optional Connection sync (Pro) uploads profiles only inside a vault encrypted in your browser with a passphrase Planche never receives.
Does Planche have an editable data grid and ERD?
Yes. Both are included in Free. Grid updates show the generated statements before commit, and the ERD is generated from foreign keys with layouts saved locally.
Can Planche use an SSH tunnel?
Yes. SSH tunneling is a Pro feature with password, private-key and ssh-agent authentication. See the SSH documentation.
Free to use
Planche has a free tier that needs no account and uploads none of your data — connection profiles live only in your browser. A few advanced features need Pro; see pricing.