Quay vs DataGrip: which database tool fits you?
DataGrip is JetBrains' full database IDE; Quay is a focused database client. They overlap on connecting to many databases and running queries, but they are built for different kinds of work. This page helps you pick.
Short answer
Pick DataGrip if the left list sounds like you. Pick Quay if the right list does. Many people will happily keep both.
Who should pick DataGrip
- You write a lot of SQL and want an IDE: context-sensitive completion aware of table structure and foreign keys, on-the-fly analysis with quick-fixes.
- You already live in JetBrains tools or want Git for your SQL scripts and database version control integration (per jetbrains.com/datagrip, 5 Nov 2026).
- You want to use an AI agent inside the IDE: DataGrip's page lists Junie, Claude, Codex, GitHub Copilot or Gemini CLI via the model picker, and any other ACP-compatible agent (per jetbrains.com/datagrip, 5 Nov 2026).
- You need databases such as IBM Db2, Sybase ASE or Exasol, which DataGrip lists and Quay's engine list does not.
Who should pick Quay
- You want a focused client rather than a full IDE.
- You want every edit staged as a draft and a typed-name step on production.
- You want restore-safe, FK-ordered backups and plain-language, rule-based EXPLAIN tips.
- You want a Free plan with no time limit (see /pricing/).
Plans and what each includes: see https://quay.uncle-z.com/pricing/.
Where Quay is behind today
Quay is young and early, and several things DataGrip offers (see the "Not listed on Quay's site" rows) are not claimed by Quay. If one of those is essential for you, stay with DataGrip.
Feature table
Quay features below are as described on https://quay.uncle-z.com/ and /pricing/ (5 Nov 2026). For which plan includes what, see /pricing/.
Competitor facts as listed on their public pages, checked 5 Nov 2026 (sources below). "Not listed" means we did not find it on their public page; we did not test their app, so it may exist.
| Feature | DataGrip | Quay |
|---|---|---|
| Price | DataGrip states it is free for non-commercial use | See https://quay.uncle-z.com/pricing/ |
| Kind of tool | Cross-platform IDE for relational and NoSQL databases | Desktop database client, macOS (Apple Silicon)/Windows/Linux |
| Code completion and analysis | Context-sensitive completion; on-the-fly analysis and quick-fixes | SQL editor with auto-complete; no code analysis listed |
| Version control integration | Git; database version control integration (per DataGrip's page, 5 Nov 2026) | Not listed on Quay's site |
| AI | Choose Junie, Claude, Codex, GitHub Copilot or Gemini CLI via the model picker, or connect another ACP-compatible agent (per DataGrip's page, 5 Nov 2026) | /pricing/ lists an opt-in, bring-your-own-key AI assistant (off by default); EXPLAIN tips are rule-based |
| Import / export | CSV, TSV, JSON, HTML, Markdown, Excel and more | Export CSV/JSON/SQL/Markdown/NDJSON from the grid; SQL dump import/export |
| Edits staged as a draft with review | Not listed on DataGrip's home page (checked 5 Nov 2026) | Yes |
| Typed confirmation on production | Not listed on DataGrip's home page (checked 5 Nov 2026) | Yes |
| FK-ordered SQL export, encrypted backup | Not listed on DataGrip's home page | Yes; .qenc option |
| Engines | Long list incl. PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis, Snowflake, BigQuery, ClickHouse (and more) | 20+ engines on the home page; see /pricing/ for the list by plan |
| Security / compliance | SOC 2 attestation for JetBrains tools (per JetBrains) | No compliance claims |
Switching to Quay: 5 steps
- Download the build for your system from https://quay.uncle-z.com/downloads/ (macOS .dmg for Apple Silicon only, Windows x64 setup .exe, Linux x86_64 .deb or .rpm; source: /downloads/, 5 Nov 2026). Keep DataGrip installed; nothing here removes it.
- Copy your connection details (host, port, database, user, SSH settings) from DataGrip's connection settings. Quay does not claim an importer for DataGrip files, so you re-enter them once.
- Add each connection in Quay. SQLite asks for a file path; other engines ask for host, port and credentials.
- Tag each connection dev, staging or prod. The tag is what turns on typed-name confirmation for commits.
- Try one safe edit on a dev database: change a cell, press ⌘S, read the review. Then run one backup and restore it into a scratch database to see the FK-ordered export for yourself.
Download Quay Plans and prices: see https://quay.uncle-z.com/pricing/
Competitor sources, first checked 20 Oct 2026, re-checked 5 Nov 2026: https://www.jetbrains.com/datagrip/.