MySQL Workbench FAQ Listing

This is a collection of the questions that have been asked frequently.

Workbench Editions Questions

Q.1: Is MySQL Workbench Open Source or is it Commercial?

There are two different editions of MySQL Workbench at this point in time – an open source edition and a standard edition that is only available for paying customers. See here for more details.

Q.2: What is the Difference Between the Workbench Editions?

The commercial edition adds a number of advanced modules that help users to work more efficiently with the tool. These modules range from workflow optimizations to extended object handling.

Q.3: I do not want to pay for anything, should I still consider MySQL Workbench?

Yes, the commnity Edition is fully featured and one of the most powerful database schema designers around. Please feel free to compare it with other tools available and see if it can be used for your purposes.

Paying for Commercial Editions

Q.1: Should I buy Workbench Standard Edition?

If you are using Workbench in a professional environment we recommend to get a the Standard Edition in order to save yourself time and make use of the additional benefits like model validation. Also, if you want to support the project and cannot contribute by submitting patches or plugins we encourage you to buy the product.

Q.2: The price for the Standard Edition is very low, does this mean the tool has little value?

Definitely not. The price has been set to such a low level to allow everybody professionally using the tool getting the Standard Edition. MySQL Workbench is comparable with much higher priced tools but does deliver as good or better.

Q.3: I’m excited about the Standard Edition, where do I buy it?

Commercial editions of MySQL Workbench will only be offered when they have reached production quality. The Standard Edition is available on the MySQL online shop.