For any application that deals with large volumes of data, you need to choose a database that can provide high-performance data storage solutions. There are two ways you can do this - through a relational database management system (RDBMS) or a NoSQL database solution. Nowadays NoSQL database solutions are more popular due to their simple design and ability for both horizontal and vertical scaling which cannot be achieved with a traditional RDBMS. One of the most well-known NoSQL databases out there is MongoDB which consists of a number of MongoDB tools.
Overview of MongoDB
MongoDB is an open-source document database used to build highly scalable internet applications. It was created by Dwight Merriman and Eliot Horowitz in 2007 when they encountered development and scalability issues while building web applications with traditional relational databases.
MongoDB is built with C++ and is extremely popular with development teams who use agile methodologies. In fact, it has been ranked as developers’ most wanted database for the 4th consecutive year.
MongoDB is quite popular in the IT world due to a wide variety of reasons:
- Structured and unstructured data can be stored in the same document
- Fully scalable
- Great user experience for developers
- Available in any major public cloud
- Can nest JSON to store complex data objects
- Has a worldwide community of developers and consultants
- The document data model allows developers to work faster
Need of MongoDB Tools
MongoDB tools allow you to leverage new features and receive more frequent database updates. They help you choose an interface that you are most comfortable with to connect and work with your MongoDB data. Most of these MongoDB tools are frequently updated as well. A few MongoDB tools that haven’t been updated in a while are the NoSQLClient (last updated in August 2017) and the Mongo Management Studio (last updated in January 2018).
Top MongoDB Tools
1. Studio 3T
Last updated: March 15, 2021
Studio 3T is the most frequently updated and maintained MongoDB tool in the market. It is very popular because it has proper UIs for common tasks such as creating indexes, managing users, import/export, and many others.
Studio 3T is also the only MongoDB tool that has an SQL migration feature and is compatible with all major SQL databases. This makes it easy for teams to move from SQL to MongoDB. Unlike other GUIs, it also lets you import an entire database, preview documents, and customize table-to-JSON relationships. With Studio 3T, you can connect to unlimited MongoDB connections.
It also has a feature where you can compare MongoDB collections side-by-side and a schema analysis tool that highlights errors and provides a way to edit them directly.
Pricing:
Plan |
Basic |
Pro |
Ultimate |
Price |
$199 user/year |
$399 user/year |
$699 user/year |
2. MongoDB Compass
Last updated: March 3, 2021
MongoDB Compass is MongoDB’s own GUI and has some unique features such as support for geo queries and rich visualization of schema analyses, explain plans, and performance charts.
MongoDB Compass doesn’t offer any SQL import or migration features but supports recent and favorite connections. However, it doesn’t remember your previous session, so you would need to reconnect whenever you restart and rebuild your queries.
Pricing: Free
3. NoSQLBooster
Last updated: November 11, 2020
NoSQLBooster is another popular MongoDB tool that offers a shell emulator with IntelliSense. It also comes along with handy tips and snippets that you can open within the tool.
NoSQLBooster can import single SQL tables to MongoDB, but it only supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. It can connect to multiple databases and save connections for later use. It also offers monitoring tools such as log viewers, in-progress operations stats, and a shortcut to your local log file.
Pricing:
Plan |
Free Edition |
Personal License (1 User / 2 PCs) |
Commercial License (1 User / 2 PCs) |
6-User Team License (6 Users / 12 PCs) |
Site License (50 Users / 100 PCs) |
Corporate License (Unlimited Users) |
Price |
$0 |
$129 |
$239 |
$1,200 |
$4,500 |
$9,000 |
4. NoSQL Manager
Last updated: October 26, 2020
NoSQL Manager is a non cross-platform MongoDB tool available only for Windows. However, it offers a number of advantages such as its embedded mongo shell, easy management of MongoDB databases, and limited support for SQL import. It is also one of the most maintained MongoDB tools out there.
NoSQL Manager offers some support for importing from SQL. It can also connect to replica sets, standalones, and sharded clusters connections. It has a user and role manager, along with a basic Schema Analyzer tool.
Pricing:
Plan |
Single business license |
Site business license |
Price |
$98 |
$1,225 |
5. Robo 3T
Last updated: September 3, 2020
Robo 3T is an open-source GUI that contains an embedded mongo shell with auto-completion and context menus that replaces CRUD commands.
Robo 3T doesn’t support importing from SQL, but you can create as many MongoDB connections as you want which it remembers for later use. It has a wizard for basic user and role management.
Pricing: Free
Here is a snapshot of the most top 5 MongoDB tools:
Feature |
Studio 3T |
NoSQL Manager |
Robo 3T |
MongoDB Compass |
NoSQLBooster |
Built-in mongo shell |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Query auto-completion |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Drag-and-drop query builder |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Aggregation pipeline builder |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Query code generation |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
SQL migration capabilities |
Yes |
One SQL table at a time |
No |
No |
One SQL table at a time |
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Here’s What You Can Do Next
MongoDB is a general-purpose database that can help you build future-proof applications due to its scaling capabilities and flexible schema. Knowing how to leverage the different MongoDB tools out there when building applications will help you stand out from the crowd. If you want to learn more about it, you can sign up for Simplilearn’s MongoDB Certification Training Course that will equip you with all the relevant skills required to become a MongoDB Developer. This course contains industry projects, lab exercises and various demos from highly-qualified instructors to explain key concepts. Sign up today to jumpstart your software development career.