Top 5 Dynobase alternatives you should know about - March 2025 Review

Amazon DynamoDB is a powerful NoSQL database, but working with it through the AWS console or CLI can be cumbersome for developers. Dedicated DynamoDB GUI tools streamline common tasks like querying data, switching between tables or accounts, and managing items.

In this comparison, we explore alternatives to Dynobase, focusing on features that matter for AWS developers: AWS SSO (Single Sign-On) support for easy authentication, multi-tab interfaces for running multiple queries or viewing multiple tables simultaneously, and team collaboration features such as saving and sharing queries.

What Makes a Great DynamoDB GUI Tool?

Before diving into the alternatives, let’s define what qualities make a DynamoDB client valuable:

• Intuitive interface: Clear visualization of table data and relationships
• Query capabilities: Advanced querying with expression and condition support
• Performance: Efficient handling of large datasets
• Development features: Code generation, data modeling, and export options
• Security: Support for authentication methods and credential management
• Cross-platform availability: Access on various operating systems

Why Look for Dynobase Alternatives?

Dynobase has been a popular DynamoDB GUI tool, but it has several limitations that make alternatives worth considering:

1. No longer actively maintained: According to a GitHub issue, Dynobase appears to have been discontinued with no updates since 2022.

2. Limited multi-tab support: While Dynobase claims to offer multi-tab functionality, many users report issues with this feature, making it difficult to work with multiple tables or queries simultaneously.

3. Subscription cost: As a paid tool with limited ongoing development, the value proposition has decreased compared to actively maintained alternatives.

4. Limited collaboration features: Dynobase lacks a way to store queries either in the file system or in the cloud, making it less ideal for collaborative environments.

For teams and individual developers looking for a more robust solution, here are the top alternatives with their key features compared:

Dynomate: Modern DynamoDB GUI Client

Built for real developer workflows with AWS profile integration, multi-session support, and team collaboration.

AWS SSO support & multi-region browsing

Script-like operations with data chaining

Git-friendly local storage for team sharing

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No account needed. Install and start using immediately.

• Table browsing across regions
• Flexible query & scan interface
• AWS API logging & debugging

Comparison of Key Features

Tool	AWS SSO Support	Multi-Tab Interface	Team Collaboration	Platform	Request chaining
Dynomate	✅ Native support	✅ Advanced multi-tab	✅ Git integration	Desktop	✅
NoSQL Workbench	✅ Via IAM roles	❌ Limited	❌ Manual file sharing	Desktop	❌
JetBrains Plugin	✅ Via AWS profiles	⚠️ IDE tabs/windows	❌ Local favorites only	Jetbrains IDE only	❌
DBeaver/CloudBeaver	✅ In paid versions	✅ Multiple query tabs	✅ Via CloudBeaver	Desktop	❌
Retool	⚠️ Requires setup	❌ Custom panels	✅✅ Built for sharing	Web only	❌

Now let’s dive deeper into each of these alternatives:

1. Dynomate (Our Platform)

Strengths

• Native support for AWS SSO and multiple authentication profiles. Kick off SSO sign-in within the app and
• Real-time collaboration features with Git integration
• Intelligent query history with auto-save functionality
• Multi-tab workspace with customizable layouts
• Built-in data modeling and visualization tools
• Dark/light themes with customizable UI

Limitations

• Newer product with growing feature set
• Premium features require paid subscription

Pricing: Free 7 day trial, with lifetime license at $199 per user (fixed fee no subscriptions).

Best for: Teams using AWS SSO who need collaborative DynamoDB management with shared queries and configurations.

2. NoSQL Workbench for Amazon DynamoDB

NoSQL Workbench is AWS’s official DynamoDB GUI, provided as a free desktop application by Amazon. It is especially useful in the data modeling and early development phase of DynamoDB projects.

Key Features

• Three main sections: Data modeler, Visualizer, and Operation builder
• Define tables, indexes, and data models (including complex keys and GSIs)
• Construct and execute queries or scans and view results in table format
• Generate code snippets for operations in various languages
• Support for AWS credential profiles, including IAM roles and temporary credentials
• Compatible with DynamoDB Local for offline development

Strengths

• Free and official: Completely free to use and officially supported by AWS
• Great for data modeling: Visual way to model tables and test different access patterns
• Code generation: Generate equivalent code (AWS CLI command or SDK code)
• Supports local development: Easy connection to DynamoDB Local for offline testing
• AWS SSO and role support: Integration with AWS IAM for modern authentication

Limitations

• Limited interface for multi-tasking: No tabbed interface for working with multiple tables simultaneously
• No team collaboration: No built-in way to share queries or models with teammates
• DynamoDB-only: Won’t help with other databases or AWS services
• Focused on design over data admin: Less streamlined for day-to-day data browsing

Pricing: 100% free

Best for: AWS developers who need a free tool for modeling DynamoDB tables and testing basic queries, especially in the early stages of development.

3. DynamoDB Plugin for JetBrains (IntelliJ IDEA)

The DynamoDB Plugin is a third-party plugin that integrates DynamoDB management directly into JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.

Key Features

• DynamoDB explorer pane and query editor inside your IDE
• Support for multiple AWS profiles and regions
• Smart autocomplete for DynamoDB queries (both API operations and PartiQL)
• Filter interface that automatically chooses the best query (Query vs. Scan)
• Basic CRUD operations for creating, editing, and deleting items
• Import/export to CSV, JSON, or DynamoDB JSON
• Favorites/history section for saving frequently used queries

Strengths

• Native IDE integration: Keep DynamoDB interactions in the same place as your code
• Productivity features: Autocomplete for query syntax and intelligent operation selection
• Multiple profiles & regions: Quick toggling between different AWS accounts
• Data editing and import/export: Convenient management of test data
• Low cost for individuals: Affordable for personal use

Limitations

• JetBrains IDE required: Only works if you use a compatible JetBrains IDE
• Features tied to paid version: Some advanced features only available in the paid version
• Limited collaboration: No cloud or shared environment for queries
• Less visual: Focused on query efficiency rather than visual data modeling

Pricing: Free for students and teachers, approximately $3 per month for individual developers, and $7 per user/month for businesses.

Best for: Developers who already use JetBrains IDEs and want seamless DynamoDB integration within their development environment.

4. DBeaver (and CloudBeaver)

DBeaver is a popular universal database GUI tool that supports a wide range of databases, with DynamoDB support available in its paid editions.

Key Features

• SQL editor interface with syntax highlighting and autocomplete
• Support for DynamoDB operations and PartiQL queries
• Connection via AWS IAM credentials, compatible with AWS SSO
• Multiple query editors and result tabs for parallel operations
• Support for many different database types beyond DynamoDB
• CloudBeaver for web-based team access (separate product)

Strengths

• One tool for many databases: Integrate DynamoDB into your workflow alongside other databases
• AWS SSO and profile support: Works with AWS SSO-backed credentials
• Multi-tab, multi-query UI: Open multiple tabs for different queries or connections
• Team collaboration via CloudBeaver: Web UI for shared access to connections
• Extensive features for data management: Visualization, metadata editing, and AWS Secrets Manager integration

Limitations

• DynamoDB support not in the free edition: Requires commercial version for DynamoDB
• Not DynamoDB-specific: Generic interface without specialized features for DynamoDB
• Resource-heavy: Eclipse-based application with larger memory footprint
• Learning curve: Many features can be overwhelming for new users
• Cost for enterprise features: Higher pricing for team functionality

Pricing: DBeaver Community is free and open-source but doesn’t include DynamoDB support. DBeaver Lite (with NoSQL support) starts at approximately $10 per month per user. CloudBeaver has both free community and paid enterprise editions.

Best for: Teams that need to work with multiple database types including DynamoDB, especially if they want a shared web interface.

5. Retool (Low-Code Tool for DynamoDB)

Retool is a low-code platform for building internal tools and admin interfaces, allowing teams to create custom DynamoDB GUIs for specific needs.

Key Features

• Drag-and-drop UI builder with pre-built components
• Resource connections for AWS credentials or IAM roles
• Custom query building with visual components
• Schema inspection and saved queries within apps
• Team-based sharing of the created applications
• Support for multiple data sources beyond DynamoDB

Strengths

• Strong team collaboration: Easily share the DynamoDB GUI app with others
• Save & share queries: Explicitly supports saving queries as part of the app
• No-code/Low-code flexibility: Build custom functionality without coding from scratch
• Supports many data sources: Connect to multiple databases and APIs
• Managed cloud option: No need to deploy software for each user
• Non-technical user friendly: Once set up, others can use without DynamoDB knowledge

Limitations

• Not a traditional DB client: Optimized for building apps, not ad-hoc exploration
• Cost: Paid service with per-user pricing that can be expensive for larger teams
• Setup effort: Requires initial configuration of the UI and queries
• Cloud dependency: Sends data through Retool’s platform (unless self-hosted)
• Limited offline use: Fundamentally a web app requiring internet access

Pricing: Free plan for up to 5 users, Team plan at $10 per user per month, Business and Enterprise plans at higher rates.

Best for: Organizations that need to provide DynamoDB access to multiple teams, including non-technical users, with controlled interfaces.

Familiar with these Dynamodb Challenges ?

• Writing one‑off scripts for simple DynamoDB operations
• Constantly switching between AWS profiles and regions
• Sharing and managing database operations with your team

You should try Dynomate GUI Client for DynamoDB

• Create collections of operations that work together like scripts
• Seamless integration with AWS SSO and profile switching
• Local‑first design with Git‑friendly sharing for team collaboration

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How to Choose the Right Tool

When selecting a DynamoDB GUI tool, consider these key factors:

1. AWS SSO Support

If your organization uses AWS SSO, a tool like Dynomate stands out with native support. NoSQL Workbench and the JetBrains plugin also work well with SSO via AWS profiles, while DBeaver supports it in paid editions. Retool requires more configuration but can be integrated with SSO through IAM roles.

2. Multi-Tab & Multi-Tasking

For developers who need to work with multiple tables or queries simultaneously, Dynomate offers an excellent multi-tab environment. DBeaver also provides good support for multiple query tabs. The JetBrains plugin benefits from the IDE’s windowing capabilities, while NoSQL Workbench and Retool are more limited in this aspect.

3. Team Collaboration

If sharing queries and configurations with your team is essential, Retool is specifically designed for this purpose, and CloudBeaver (DBeaver’s web version) offers multi-user access. Dynomate enables collaboration through Git integration. Other tools like NoSQL Workbench and the JetBrains plugin allow saving queries individually but lack built-in sharing capabilities.

4. Development Workflow Integration

For seamless integration into AWS development workflows, the JetBrains plugin excels by living directly in your code editor. Dynomate supports developers with code generation and easy testing of queries. NoSQL Workbench helps in the design phase, while DBeaver offers a unified environment for multiple databases. Retool works best for building auxiliary tools for teams.

Switching from Dynobase? Try Dynomate

Developers are switching to Dynomate for these key advantages:

Better Multi-Profile Support

• Native AWS SSO integration
• Seamless profile switching
• Multiple accounts in a single view

Developer-Focused Workflow

• Script-like operation collections
• Chain data between operations
• Full AWS API logging for debugging

Team Collaboration

• Git-friendly collection sharing
• No account required for installation
• Local-first data storage for privacy

Privacy & Security

• No account creation required
• 100% local data storage
• No telemetry or usage tracking

Try Dynomate Free for 7 DaysDynomate vs. Dynobase

Conclusion

AWS developers working with DynamoDB have a rich ecosystem of tools beyond the AWS console. With Dynobase no longer seeing active development, it’s worth exploring these alternatives that offer more modern features and ongoing support.

Dynomate offers a comprehensive solution with native AWS SSO support, advanced multi-tab functionality, and Git-based collaboration features. NoSQL Workbench is a valuable free tool from AWS, excellent for designing and visualizing data models. The JetBrains DynamoDB Plugin brings DynamoDB into your IDE with helpful autocomplete and query-saving features.

For teams that need collaboration features, consider Dynomate with its Git integration, CloudBeaver for a shared web interface, or Retool for building custom tools accessible to non-developers.

The choice ultimately depends on your environment and use case. Many teams use a combination of tools: for example, Dynomate for developers, and a Retool app for operations or support teams. By understanding the strengths of each alternative, you can select the tool (or combination of tools) that best integrates with your AWS workflow, making DynamoDB development smoother and more productive.

What’s your experience with these DynamoDB tools? Let us know in the comments which one you prefer and why!