Chat2DB
AI-assisted SQL client for 40+ databases, as a desktop app or a single-user Docker web app, with your own model.
Quick answer
Chat2DB is an AI-assisted SQL client for 40+ databases, as a desktop app or a single-user Docker web app, with your own model, listed under Coding assistants. A typical small-business use: let analysts or support staff ask questions of a reporting database in plain language. It runs on each user's own computer (official minimum 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM), so there is no server to rent. License: Chat2DB License (modified Apache-2.0, versions 5.3.0 and later), which allows internal business use.
Last updated · facts verified against official docs on · sources
Activity data comes from GitHub and was last refreshed Nov 1, 2026.
What is Chat2DB?
Chat2DB Community is a database client and SQL workspace for MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, ClickHouse, MongoDB, Redis and 40+ other databases. Its AI assistant, connected to a model you choose, writes, explains and optimizes SQL from natural language. It also has metadata browsing, table and data editing, import and export, dashboards and charts, and a separate CLI with MCP support. It ships as a desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, or as a Docker web app; both are single-user.
Where it fits in a 10–200 person business
- Let analysts or support staff ask questions of a reporting database in plain language
- Have the AI explain or optimize slow SQL before it goes into production
- One client for the mix of MySQL, PostgreSQL and Redis databases a small team runs
These use cases are our editorial suggestions, not claims made by the project.
Can a business use Chat2DB? (license)
| License | Chat2DB License (modified Apache-2.0, versions 5.3.0 and later) |
|---|---|
| Type | Custom / conditional: Apache- or BSD-based with extra conditions (branding, multi-tenant SaaS, derivatives). |
| Internal business use | Allowed under the license text |
| What to watch | Internal use by your own staff is allowed, including the desktop app, web UI, Docker image, API and CLI. Without written authorization from Chat2DB you may not offer it as a product or service to outside parties, deploy or operate it for a client, embed it in a product, or white-label it, paid or free. Releases before 5.3.0 remain under plain Apache-2.0. |
This is a plain-English summary of the license text, not legal advice. Third-party models you run with it have their own licenses.
Data & compliance: does Chat2DB phone home?
| Telemetry (usage data sent to the vendor) | Not documented |
|---|---|
| Other calls home by default (updates, marketplaces, default cloud services) | Not documented |
| Single sign-on (OIDC / SAML / LDAP) | Not applicable A single-user, local-first application with no user accounts. |
| Audit log | Not documented |
| Role-based access control (RBAC) | No Community has no user accounts, tenant isolation or authorization boundaries between users. |
| Data residency / GDPR notes from the project | Not documented |
Checked against the project's own docs and repository on . "Not documented" means we could not find the answer in official sources; it does not mean the feature is missing or that no data is sent. Third-party services you connect (model APIs, vector databases, search engines) have their own data policies. Compare all apps.
What hardware does Chat2DB need?
| Minimum | 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM |
|---|---|
| Recommended | Not published |
| GPU | No. The AI assistant calls the model provider you configure. |
The README lists 2+ CPU cores and 4+ GiB RAM for the Docker option, plus Docker 19.03.0+. No figures are given for the desktop app.
How much does it cost to host Chat2DB per month?
Runs on each user's own computer, so there is no server to rent.
How to deploy Chat2DB
Method: Desktop app, or Docker (single-user)
# Desktop: download the installer from https://github.com/OtterMind/Chat2DB/releases
# Docker: create the encryption key once, then start the container
git clone https://github.com/OtterMind/Chat2DB.git && cd Chat2DB
./script/security/init-community-encryption-key.sh
docker run --detach \
--name chat2db-community \
--restart unless-stopped \
--publish 127.0.0.1:10825:10825 \
--volume "$HOME/.chat2db-community-docker:/root/.chat2db-community" \
--env CHAT2DB_COMMUNITY_ENCRYPTION_KEY_FILE=/run/secrets/chat2db-community-encryption.key \
--volume "$HOME/.config/chat2db-community/encryption.key:/run/secrets/chat2db-community-encryption.key:ro" \
chat2db/chat2db:latest
# open http://localhost:10825From the official instructions: github.com/OtterMind/Chat2DB#readme. Always check the source for the current version before you run it.
Known gotchas when self-hosting Chat2DB
- Chat2DB Community is single-user and has no user accounts or permission boundaries. Keep the web service bound to 127.0.0.1 and do not expose it to other users or untrusted networks. source
- Stored database passwords and AI API keys are encrypted with a per-installation key. Back up ~/.config/chat2db-community/encryption.key and keep it across upgrades; losing it makes the saved credentials unreadable, and web mode will not start without a valid key. source
- Since 5.3.0 the license forbids deploying or operating Chat2DB for clients and offering it to outside parties without written authorization, so IT service providers need written authorization from Chat2DB. source
- Version 5.3.0 stores data in /root/.chat2db-community and does not migrate data from older images that used /root/.chat2db. The docker run and Compose variants also use different data locations. source
Alternatives in Coding assistants
- OpenHands Self-hosted control center for AI coding agents that write code, review PRs and run automations. Compare Chat2DB vs OpenHands
- Tabby Self-hosted AI coding assistant (Copilot alternative) for your team. Compare Chat2DB vs Tabby
- PR-Agent Open-source AI pull-request reviewer that comments and answers questions on PRs. Compare Chat2DB vs PR-Agent
Chat2DB FAQ
How much RAM does Chat2DB need?
The official minimum is 2 vCPU · 4 GB RAM. The README lists 2+ CPU cores and 4+ GiB RAM for the Docker option, plus Docker 19.03.0+. No figures are given for the desktop app.
Does Chat2DB need a GPU?
No. The AI assistant calls the model provider you configure.
How much does it cost to self-host Chat2DB?
The software is free to download. It runs on each user's own computer, so there is no server to rent.
Is Chat2DB free for commercial use?
Chat2DB is licensed under Chat2DB License (modified Apache-2.0, versions 5.3.0 and later) (Custom / conditional). Internal business use is allowed under the license text. Internal use by your own staff is allowed, including the desktop app, web UI, Docker image, API and CLI. Without written authorization from Chat2DB you may not offer it as a product or service to outside parties, deploy or operate it for a client, embed it in a product, or white-label it, paid or free. Releases before 5.3.0 remain under plain Apache-2.0. This is a summary, not legal advice.
What are common problems when self-hosting Chat2DB?
Chat2DB Community is single-user and has no user accounts or permission boundaries. Keep the web service bound to 127.0.0.1 and do not expose it to other users or untrusted networks. Stored database passwords and AI API keys are encrypted with a per-installation key. Back up ~/.config/chat2db-community/encryption.key and keep it across upgrades; losing it makes the saved credentials unreadable, and web mode will not start without a valid key. Since 5.3.0 the license forbids deploying or operating Chat2DB for clients and offering it to outside parties without written authorization, so IT service providers need written authorization from Chat2DB. Version 5.3.0 stores data in /root/.chat2db-community and does not migrate data from older images that used /root/.chat2db. The docker run and Compose variants also use different data locations.
Is Chat2DB still maintained?
Yes, it is actively developed. Last commit: Oct 27, 2026. Latest release: v5.3.8 (Oct 9, 2026). Checked Nov 1, 2026.
How do I install Chat2DB?
The official method is Desktop app, or Docker (single-user). The exact commands are in the "How to deploy" section above and in the official instructions: https://github.com/OtterMind/Chat2DB#readme
What are self-hosted alternatives to Chat2DB?
Other apps in Coding assistants: OpenHands, Tabby, PR-Agent.
Sources
- GitHub repository: github.com/OtterMind/Chat2DB
- Official documentation, Hardware requirements, Deploy instructions, Gotcha 2, Gotcha 4: github.com/OtterMind/Chat2DB#readme
- License text, Gotcha 3: github.com/OtterMind/Chat2DB/blob/main/LICENSE
- Gotcha 1: github.com/OtterMind/Chat2DB/blob/main/SECURITY.md
- Hetzner Cloud pricing (cost estimate): www.hetzner.com/cloud/regular-performance
- GitHub stars, commits and releases: GitHub REST API, fetched
Facts on this page were checked against the project's own repository and docs on 2026-11-01. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.