Some database tools “connect.” Navicat Premium lets you actually deliver. You jump between MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, MongoDB, even Redis, and it feels like one workspace instead of seven different apps. The latest version keeps the focus on reliability and everyday velocity: redesigned modeling, visual EXPLAIN that makes query talks simple, data profiling where you already browse rows, and a tidy documentation flow so non-DBAs understand what’s going on. Teams that pin a full version, keep release notes handy, and share installer checksums usually avoid “why is my export different?” surprises.
If you’re exploring adjacent admin/SQL tools too, you can also browse our Developer Tools collection for companions and alternatives.
Key Features
One app, many engines — connect to multiple DBMS at once and keep a consistent mental model across MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, MongoDB, Redis; cross-transfer with filters when needed.
Redesigned Model Workspace — diagram, compare, and sync structures; generate clean DDL without glue scripts; faster to a trustworthy schema.
Data Profiling in the grid — see outliers, null-heavy columns, skew, and suspicious distributions while browsing; great before risky migrations.
Visual Query Explain — turn raw plans into a diagram your team can discuss; spot abusers quickly and agree on the fix.
Documentation that sticks — ship a Data Dictionary straight from the truth (your schema), so product/QA can read it.
Scheduling & backups — run compressed jobs, set retention, and store checksums where auditors can see them.
Deployment options — standalone installer, portable build, scripted silent install; easy to keep one latest version across many bays.
Org-friendly licensing — if your environment prefers offline activation, prepare license materials in the rollout readme so change windows don’t stall.
What’s New
17.0 — the big wave: Model Workspace redesign, Data Profiling, Data Dictionary, Visual Query Explain, BI niceties, better connection management.
17.3.1 — stability polish across the 17.x line; safe mid-cycle update for teams standardizing a build.
17.2.x — reliability fixes around modeling, scheduling, and sync.
17.1.5 — TiDB support plus general improvements.
Free Download — Navicat Premium 17.3.1
Free Download — full version standalone installer; portable setup supported; offline activation friendly (no login).
Pro Tips
Color-code prod/stage/dev and star critical connections; it cuts mis-clicks during late-night incidents.
Profile before you touch — run Data Profiling on target tables to catch skew/nulls that would break a migration.
Explain first, rewrite second — grab Visual Query Explain, agree on the slowest operator, then refactor indexes or SQL.
Document as you go — regenerate the Data Dictionary after each release so QA and product aren’t guessing.
Pin your toolchain — keep a tiny versions.txt (app build, driver branch, and installer checksums) to make exports reproducible.
Use portable for triage — a portable build on a USB is gold for emergency read-only access on locked-down hosts.
Comparisons with Similar Tools
TablePlus — a feather-light, fast multi-engine GUI perfect for CRUD and quick queries; Navicat Premium wins when you need modeling, data profiling, visual EXPLAIN, and scheduled jobs.
dotConnect Universal Professional — a .NET provider for code-level connectivity (not a GUI admin tool); choose it when your need is programmatic data access, choose Navicat for visual administration and cross-engine operations.
System Requirements
Hardware notes: faster CPUs/SSDs matter for heavy schema compares; RAM helps with large grids and modeling; use stable network paths for long transfers.
Windows: 7/8/10/11; Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022.
