pgAdmin

What it is

pgAdmin is the most widely used open source GUI for PostgreSQL, released under the PostgreSQL licence. It runs as a desktop application on Windows, macOS and Linux, or in server mode as a web application you open in a browser, including from a container. As of 2026-09 the latest release is pgAdmin 4 v9.18 (source: pgadmin.org).

Its features include a tree browser for servers, databases, schemas and every object in them; a query tool with syntax highlighting, autocomplete, query history and a graphical EXPLAIN; dialogs that generate and show the SQL for creating objects; backup and restore screens built on pg_dump and pg_restore; schema comparison; and data import and export.

Is it worth your time?

Yes, if you are learning PostgreSQL. It is free, maintained alongside PostgreSQL, and the graphical EXPLAIN makes query plans far easier to read when you first meet them. The Windows installer for PostgreSQL can install it for you.

Free vs paid

Completely free and open source.

How to use it well

• Register your local server once, then use the Query Tool for everything you type.
• When you use a dialog, open its SQL tab and read the generated statement before clicking Save; it is a free lesson in DDL.
• Use the EXPLAIN and EXPLAIN ANALYZE buttons in the Query Tool and compare the diagram with the text plan.
• Learn psql alongside it: servers and containers rarely have a GUI.

Watch out for

pgAdmin releases frequently and sometimes fixes security issues, so keep it updated. If you run it in server mode, do not expose it to the internet without proper authentication.

How long does it take to learn?

An hour is enough to register a server, browse a sample database and run queries. The deeper screens, such as backup, restore, roles and the dashboard of server activity, are worth opening as you reach those topics in your learning, rather than all at once.

Alternatives

DBeaver works across several databases, and Microsoft's PostgreSQL extension for VS Code keeps queries next to your code.

Common questions

pgAdmin 3 or 4? pgAdmin 4. pgAdmin 3 is long obsolete.

Why does it open in a browser window? pgAdmin 4 is built as a web application; the desktop version wraps it in its own window.