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Three database tools, 1.2 GB, and only one of them was open

pgAdmin, MySQL Workbench and DBeaver are heavier than they look. Measured: pgAdmin at 743 MB installed plus 245 MB of data.

4 min read

Developers tend to install a database client for each database they touch, and then keep all of them. They are not small.

ToolAppDataWhy
pgAdmin 4743 MB245 MBAn Electron app with a bundled Python server
MySQL Workbench233 MB0.8 MBNative app, little state
DBeaver201 MB0.3 MBBundles its own Java runtime

pgAdmin is the heavy one on both counts. It ships the Electron framework (254 MB of its bundle) plus a Python runtime to run its web server, and keeps query history and sessions in ~/Library/Application Support/pgAdmin 4.

Check yours

du -sh /Applications/{pgAdmin\ 4,MySQLWorkbench,DBeaver,TablePlus,Postico*}.app 2>/dev/null
du -sh ~/Library/Application\ Support/pgAdmin\ 4 ~/Library/DBeaverData 2>/dev/null

Reducing it

  • One client for everything. DBeaver and TablePlus both connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL and more, so two of three can often go.
  • pgAdmin's data holds sessions and a SQLite store of history. Its sessions folder is safe to clear with the app quit.
  • Uninstalling a client does not touch the database. Database files live wherever the server keeps them, covered in database data directories and, for Homebrew installs, the Homebrew var folder.

API clients have the same shape, in Postman and API tools.

Common questions

Why is pgAdmin so big on a Mac?

It is an Electron app that also bundles a Python runtime for its server. On the Mac measured it was 743 MB installed plus 245 MB of data.

Does uninstalling pgAdmin delete my databases?

No. pgAdmin is only a client. Your data lives with the PostgreSQL server, wherever that stores it.

Is it safe to delete pgAdmin's Application Support folder?

Yes, with the app quit, but you lose saved server connections and query history. The sessions subfolder alone is safe to clear.

Which database GUI uses the least space?

Native clients. MySQL Workbench kept under 1 MB of data on the Mac measured, against 245 MB for pgAdmin.

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