Live performance
Follow workload, CPU, memory, I/O, waits, sessions, queries and database activity using the views supported by the connected platform.
Free database monitoring
Continuously monitor one SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle or Azure SQL server for free—on premises, on a virtual machine or in a supported cloud database service.
Community Edition uses the same browser-based Mini DBA Console and database-specific diagnostic views as licensed installations. It is designed for individuals, small environments, home labs, development systems and anyone who needs useful performance evidence without an ongoing subscription.
- Choose one server from any supported database platform.
- Use live performance dashboards and database-specific diagnostic pages.
- Review metrics, queries, waits, sessions, blocking, deadlocks and retained history where supported.
- Use the AI Assistant with your own cloud, compatible or local AI provider.
- Query available monitoring data from approved MCP-compatible AI tools.
Free cross-platform database monitoring for one server
Choose the database platform you need now. Community Edition provides continuous monitoring rather than functioning as another SQL editor, and keeps the platform-specific investigation workflow instead of reducing every database to one shallow metric.
Diagnostic drilldown
Move from the server overview into queries, execution plans, blocking, deadlocks, indexes, storage, configuration and health checks.
Monitoring history
Revisit retained metrics and query evidence so a short-lived performance problem does not have to be reproduced before it can be investigated.
On-premises and cloud databases
Use one workflow for a supported database on a local server, virtual machine or cloud-hosted database service when network access and permissions allow.
Monitor every database platform from one Console
SQL Server PostgreSQL MySQL and MariaDB Oracle Azure SQL
Explore cross-platform database monitoring across the complete mixed estate
Investigate the database problem, not just the platform
Use a problem-led workflow across SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle and Azure SQL.
Blocking and lock contention
Find the lead blocker and understand every waiting session.
Investigate blocking →Deadlock analysis
Preserve participants, statements and resources after the event.
Analyse deadlocks →Query performance
Prioritise expensive workload and inspect execution plans.
Analyse queries →Performance history
Reconstruct incidents after the live symptoms have gone.
Explore history →Community Edition monitors one server connection. To monitor several servers or database platforms together, explore cross-platform database monitoring with licensed Mini DBA.
Community Edition compared with a licensed Engine
The core monitoring and diagnostic experience remains available. Licensing expands capacity, alerting, AI allowance and multi-engine operation.
| Functionality | Community Edition | Trial or licensed Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free 14-day trial; a paid licence is optional afterwards |
| Monitored database servers | One server connection | Connections included by the active licence |
| Browser Console | Included | Included |
| Live monitoring and diagnostics | Included | Included |
| Metric and query history | Included where supported by the selected platform | Included where supported by the selected platform |
| Alert evaluation and configuration | Not included | Included |
| Alert history and notifications | Not included | Email, Slack, Teams, PagerDuty, Jira and other configured channels |
| AI Assistant | BYO AI, or Mini DBA tokens when the Console also has a licensed Engine | Daily Mini DBA token allowance or BYO AI |
| Database MCP Server | All available monitoring data except alerts | Available monitoring and licensed alert data |
| Multiple Engines | One configured Community Engine per Console | Licensed Engines do not count towards the Community limit |
Monitor one database server for free
Download Mini DBA, use the complete 14-day trial and continue with Community Edition when the trial ends.
Ask AI about the metrics
The AI Assistant can help explain performance symptoms, slow queries, waits, blocking, deadlocks and execution plans using optional context from the page you are viewing. Licensed Engines can also provide alert context.
During the 14-day trial, the Mini DBA-provided daily allowance is available. It is also available when the Console has at least one connected licensed Engine, even when the question concerns metrics from the permitted Community Engine.
If the Console is connected only to Community Edition Engines, configure Bring Your Own AI instead. Community Edition does not include Mini DBA-provided daily tokens on its own.
Bring Your Own AI options
- OpenAI
- Azure OpenAI
- OpenAI-compatible providers and gateways
- Local or self-hosted models through Ollama
- Anthropic Claude
BYO AI uses the provider, model, limits and billing attached to your own configuration.
Start with a full 14-day trial
The standard Mini DBA download begins with a free 14-day trial so you can test licensed functionality, including alert evaluation and notifications, before deciding whether to subscribe.
When the trial period ends and no paid licence is active, Mini DBA defaults to the free Community Edition. You can continue monitoring one database server and upgrade later without learning a different product.
Monitor an on-premises or cloud database
Run Mini DBA on Windows, a suitable Linux virtual machine or a supported container platform. The Engine can monitor a supported database on premises, on a reachable virtual machine or through a supported managed-database endpoint, while users open the Console in a modern browser.
Available operating-system and cloud host metrics depend on the database deployment and configured access. Community Edition monitors the database; it is not a general cloud inventory, cost-management or cloud-security product.
Community Edition permits one configured Community Engine per Console. Licensed Engines can be added alongside it and are not counted towards that Community limit.
Upgrade without starting again
Community Edition and licensed Mini DBA use the same Console and Engine. Buy a licence, open Settings, select the Mini DBA Engine and activate the serial key in the License tab of the Engine details window.
Your configured database connection and retained monitoring history stay with the Engine. Activation raises the permitted connection count and enables licensed capabilities such as alert evaluation, alert history, notifications and the Mini DBA daily AI allowance.
Free database monitoring FAQ
Is Community Edition really free?
Yes. After the 14-day trial, Community Edition continues monitoring one supported database server without a subscription or expiry date.
Which databases are supported?
Choose one SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle or Azure SQL server. The available diagnostics reflect the selected database platform.
Can I monitor a cloud database?
Yes, when the Engine can reach the supported database endpoint and has the required permissions. Available host metrics depend on the deployment and configured cloud access.
Can I use AI for free?
Community Edition supports Bring Your Own AI. Mini DBA-provided daily tokens require the trial or a Console that also has a connected licensed Engine.
Does it include alerting?
No. Community Engines do not evaluate, retain, expose or send alerts. The Console keeps alerting discoverable so you can see what a licensed Engine adds.
What happens when the trial expires?
The installation automatically becomes Community Edition when no paid licence is active. Your selected connection, monitoring configuration and retained history remain available.
Investigate the database problem, not just the platform
Use a problem-led workflow across SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle and Azure SQL.
Blocking and lock contention
Find the lead blocker and understand every waiting session.
Investigate blocking →Deadlock analysis
Preserve participants, statements and resources after the event.
Analyse deadlocks →Query performance
Prioritise expensive workload and inspect execution plans.
Analyse queries →Performance history
Reconstruct incidents after the live symptoms have gone.
Explore history →