DBConvert Streams

DBConvert Streams combines a database IDE for exploring data and writing SQL with migration and change-data-capture streaming tools. It supports one-time Load migrations and ongoing CDC replication, using MySQL binlog replication and PostgreSQL logical replication. Documented connectors include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, local files, S3-compatible storage, and federated queries. Embedded DuckDB lets federated SQL join databases with file or object-storage sources in one statement. Local-file workflows support CSV, JSON, JSONL, and Parquet, with CSV, JSONL, and Parquet listed as output formats. The product runs as a native Windows, macOS, or Linux desktop app, or as a Docker deployment on a server, VPS, bare metal, or cloud VM. CDC runs without Kafka, Zookeeper, or Kubernetes; NATS is included in the desktop app or Docker Compose stack. The free plan includes the IDE, browser viewers, editor extensions, federated queries across two sources, and five AI questions per day with an account. The CDC trial lasts seven days from the first stream and covers up to three tables.

DBConvert Streams combines data exploration with migration and replication in desktop or Docker deployments. The free plan has source and AI-question limits, and the CDC evaluation is time- and table-limited.

DBConvert Streams is positioned for developers, DBAs, and small teams working mainly with MySQL and PostgreSQL. It may suit teams seeking self-hosted exploration, migration, or CDC workflows.

DBConvert Streams is a database workbench with migration and replication tools, best suited to developers, DBAs, and small teams centered on MySQL or PostgreSQL. Its blend of SQL exploration and self-hosted data movement is compelling, but paid Load output and recurring CDC capacity make it less attractive when migration or replication is the only need.

Overview

The product brings database exploration and SQL together with one-time Load migrations and ongoing change-data-capture (CDC) replication. MySQL CDC uses binlog replication; PostgreSQL CDC uses logical replication. Two-way replication and data transformations are supported, making Streams more than a one-directional export utility.

CDC does not require Kafka, Zookeeper, or Kubernetes: NATS is bundled in the desktop app or Docker Compose stack. That trims infrastructure a small team would otherwise need to assemble, though a server deployment still calls for someone to manage the host or VM.

Key features

Queries and data movement

Connectors include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, local files, S3-compatible storage, and federated queries. Embedded DuckDB lets a single federated SQL statement join databases with file and object-storage sources, which is useful for exploration across systems without first consolidating the data. Local-file workflows support CSV, JSON, JSONL, and Parquet; target formats include CSV, JSONL, and Parquet.

Development and operations

The built-in AI assistant and MCP tools can inspect live workspace data, while MCP operations are read-only. That can help with data questions without granting MCP write operations. The product also exposes more than 80 REST endpoints, an OpenAPI 3.0 specification, and WebSocket language servers, giving teams several ways to integrate it into development workflows.

Database passwords, SSL/TLS certificates, client certificates, and API keys are encrypted. Docker deployments can optionally use HashiCorp Vault. These controls suit teams handling credentials across a self-hosted setup, while the Vault option is specifically for Docker deployments.

Pricing

The free plan costs nothing and includes the IDE, browser viewers, editor extensions, federated queries over two sources, and five AI questions per day with an account. It also includes a seven-day CDC trial. The query and AI caps make it a useful way to explore the workbench, but not an unlimited free tier for broader federated analysis or frequent AI use.

PRO costs $9 a month, billed Or $89 a year. It raises federated query sources and AI questions to unlimited, adds PNG/SVG diagram export, and licenses three devices. It fits an individual or small workflow needing the IDE’s fuller exploration features, but does not include a CDC pipeline or Clean Load output.

CDC costs $99 a month, billed Or $990 a year per pipeline. It includes PRO, with one CDC stream at a time per pipeline, counted across all devices. That is the relevant plan for ongoing replication, but the per-pipeline charge and single concurrent stream constrain teams running multiple flows.

Load pass costs $149, paid once, billed 30 days, nothing renews. It includes Clean Load output, unlimited runs for 30 days, and PRO. The fixed period and non-renewing term suit a concentrated migration project better than a recurring workload; the free Load evaluation marks text fields outside keys and relationships after 50 rows per table.

The CDC evaluation lasts seven days from the first CDC stream and covers up to three tables. It is a bounded way to validate a small replication path, not a long-running or broad production trial. Assisted setup for a first migration or CDC stream is offered, with a response within one business day.

Platforms

Streams runs as native Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop applications, or as a Docker deployment on a server, VPS, bare metal, or cloud VM. Its platform coverage also includes API, extension, self-hosted, and web. The choice between desktop and Docker gives teams flexibility over where the tooling runs, with Docker fitting teams that prefer server-based operation.

Who it's for

Streams is strongest for developers, DBAs, and small teams that mainly work with MySQL and PostgreSQL and want exploration, migration, and CDC in a self-hosted environment. Teams that benefit from joining database and file sources in federated SQL can also get value from the IDE side. It is a weaker fit for buyers seeking free ongoing CDC, several simultaneous streams on one pipeline, or a migration-only tool with no need for the broader workbench.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Combines SQL exploration, one-time Load, and CDC, reducing the need to switch among separate tools for these tasks.
• Bundled NATS avoids a separate Kafka, Zookeeper, or Kubernetes stack for CDC.
• Federated SQL across databases and files, plus support for common local-file formats, broadens the workbench beyond database-only queries.
• Desktop and Docker deployment options, encrypted credentials, and optional Vault support give self-hosted teams deployment and credential-control choices.

Cons

• Free federated queries stop at two sources and AI assistance at five questions per day, limiting sustained use without PRO.
• The CDC evaluation is only seven days and up to three tables, and ongoing CDC requires a per-pipeline paid plan.
• Clean Load output requires a $149, paid once pass for 30 days; the free evaluation's 50-row marking limit may not validate a full migration.
• One CDC stream at a time per pipeline may be restrictive for teams that need concurrent replication flows.

Alternatives

Database Replication Software is the broader category for comparing replication tools. Consider SymmetricDS for a freemium option with a free Community plan and coverage across mobile, desktop, web, and self-hosted platforms.

Artie may suit teams whose needs fit its free allowance of up to 1M billable rows per month and two active pipelines, with backfills included. For a connector- and record-capped free start, DBSync has a Developer plan with two connectors, up to 10,000 records, and up to three objects; its Professional plan starts at $999 a month.

Debezium is a free, Apache License 2.0 open-source CDC platform for teams seeking that model. dsync offers an open-source plan free forever for small projects and testing, with best-effort support and a commercial support add-on.

Google Cloud Datastream may fit a cloud-focused use case that falls within its free tier of 100 GiB of CDC data per month per billing account. NineData offers a Community plan with on-premise deployment, up to 10 data sources, up to 10 replication tasks, and single-node Docker deployment. PeerDB has an open-source plan for individuals with Docker setup, CDC, streaming query, and query-layer features.

Verdict

Choose DBConvert Streams if you are a developer, DBA, or small MySQL/PostgreSQL-focused team that wants self-hosted SQL exploration alongside migration and CDC, particularly if bundled NATS keeps your deployment simpler. Look elsewhere if you need ongoing replication without a per-pipeline fee, multiple concurrent CDC streams on one pipeline, or clean migration output without a separate timed pass.