Flashboard vs DBeaver

Flashboard and DBeaver are different categories of tools. DBeaver is a desktop database IDE for developers who write SQL. Flashboard is a web-based admin panel that generates a UI from your database schema. This page documents the differences and trade-offs to help you choose.

Quick comparison

What Flashboard does well

No SQL required. Non-technical team members can search, filter, create, and edit records without writing queries. The interface handles everything.

Instant setup. Connect your PostgreSQL database and get a working admin panel in under 2 minutes. No installation, no configuration files.

Built for teams. Share access through a browser link. Configure what each team can see and edit, down to the column level. No need to install software on everyone's computer.

Safer for non-technical users. With a database IDE, anyone can run DELETE FROM users or an unoptimized query that locks your tables. Flashboard constrains actions to what the UI allows, with permissions controlling who can edit what. Non-technical team members can work confidently without risk of breaking things.

Connection pooling built in. Flashboard manages database connections centrally. With DBeaver, each user creates their own connections, which can exhaust your PostgreSQL connection limit as your team grows.

Unlimited seats on higher tiers. Add your entire team without per-user costs adding up.

CMS features included. Write and edit rich text content with a Notion-like editor. Upload images and files to your storage service.

What DBeaver does well

Full SQL access. Write and execute any SQL query. DBeaver is a complete development environment for database work.

100+ database support. Connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Oracle, SQL Server, and many more. DBeaver works with almost any database.

Schema development tools. Design tables, create ER diagrams, compare schemas between databases, and visualize table relationships.

Advanced query features. Syntax highlighting, auto-completion, query history, explain plans, and result set visualization. DBeaver is built for developers who spend their day writing SQL.

Free and open source. The Community edition is completely free under Apache 2.0. No account required, no usage limits.

Works offline. As a desktop application, DBeaver doesn't need an internet connection to access your database.

When to choose Flashboard

• Non-technical team members need to manage data
• You want to avoid teaching SQL to support or ops staff
• You need a quick admin panel without building anything
• You're working exclusively with PostgreSQL
• You want browser-based access with team permissions
• You prefer predictable pricing as your team grows

When to choose DBeaver

• You or your team write SQL daily
• You need to connect to multiple database types
• You need schema design and development tools
• You want a free, open-source solution
• You need offline database access
• You're a developer or DBA who prefers a desktop IDE

Frequently asked questions

Can I use DBeaver as an admin panel for my team?

DBeaver is designed for developers who write SQL, not as a team admin panel. Giving DBeaver access to non-technical team members creates real risks: they could accidentally delete data, run queries that lock tables, or execute unoptimized queries that slow down your production database. There's also an operational cost: each DBeaver installation creates its own database connections, and DBAs often spend hours per week killing idle connections to free up resources. For teams that include non-developers, a dedicated admin panel provides both a safer interface and centralized connection management.

Is DBeaver good for non-technical users?

No. DBeaver requires SQL knowledge and gives users direct access to run any query against your database. A typo in a WHERE clause can delete the wrong records. An unfiltered SELECT on a large table can lock resources. Non-technical users need guardrails that database IDEs don't provide. If your team includes people who just need to look up a customer record or update a field, use a tool that constrains what's possible.

Should I use a database IDE or an admin panel tool?

It depends on who needs access and what they need to do. Database IDEs like DBeaver are for developers who write SQL and need full control over the database. Admin panels like Flashboard are for teams who need to view and edit data without writing queries. Many teams use both: DBeaver for development work, and an admin panel for day-to-day data management.

Can my support team use DBeaver to manage customer data?

This is risky. Support staff would have direct SQL access to your production database. One wrong query could delete customer data, corrupt records, or take down your application. You'd also need to distribute database credentials to each person and manage connection limits as your support team grows. Admin panels are designed for exactly this use case: they provide search and edit interfaces with built-in permissions, so support staff can do their job without the ability to accidentally break things.

Why does DBeaver keep exhausting my PostgreSQL connection limit?

Each DBeaver installation opens its own database connections, and users often leave connections open when they're not actively querying. With a growing team, you can quickly hit PostgreSQL's default connection limit. DBAs frequently spend time killing idle DBeaver connections to free up resources. Web-based admin panels avoid this by managing connections centrally through a shared pool.

Can I migrate between these tools?

These tools serve different purposes, so "migration" doesn't quite apply. You can use both simultaneously: DBeaver for development and database administration, Flashboard for team data management. Neither modifies your database schema in ways that would prevent using the other.

Still not sure?

If you're a developer who needs SQL access and database development tools, download DBeaver. If you need a team-friendly admin panel that works without SQL, try Flashboard for free. Many teams use both.