Kottster

Self-Hosted

Open-source, self-hosted database management tool for modern teams

Overview

Kottster is a lightweight, open-source database management solution built for self-hosting. It supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and MongoDB, offering an intuitive UI for querying, schema editing, data visualization, and user role management. Deploy via Docker for one-click setup or use binary releases for bare-metal installations. Ideal for developers and admins seeking privacy-focused control over their databases without relying on cloud-based tools.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  kottster:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: kottster
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Multi-database support (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB)
Intuitive query builder with syntax highlighting
Docker & binary deployment options
Role-based access control (RBAC)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Kottster hard to install?

No—Kottster is easy to install via Docker with a single command. For non-Docker setups, pre-built binaries are available for quick deployment with minimal configuration.

? Is it a good alternative to Navicat?

Yes—Kottster offers core database management features (querying, schema editing) for free, with self-hosting benefits (privacy, no recurring costs) that Navicat lacks in its free tier. It supports more databases than Navicat's basic version.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—Kottster is 100% open-source under the MIT License, with no hidden costs or paid tiers. All features are available for free to self-host and use.

Top Alternatives

Navicat Search Google

TablePlus Compare

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Database Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted, no data sent to third parties)
⊕ 100% free and open-source (MIT License)
⊕ Lightweight resource footprint
⊕ Modern, user-friendly interface

Cons

⊖ Smaller community compared to established tools like phpMyAdmin
⊖ Limited advanced features (e.g., no built-in backup scheduling in core version)
⊖ Requires basic server knowledge for non-Docker deployments