Navicat Backup Functions for SQL-Type Databases

Navicat backup is an integrated function of Navicat, a commercial tool with a bright and somewhat irritant graphical interface, designed to manage and administer different SQL databases including MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL and SQLite.

To complete your set of instruments for an effective SQL database management, we recommend adding a perfect SQL backup software, such as Handy Backup, to Navicat.

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Overview of Navicat Utility

Unlike some scripts and solutions, Navicat is not a freeware. It has a heavy price tag, starting, for example, from $349 for Oracle and MySQL solutions. Therefore, a Navicat database backup is not a free addition to your SQL management functions when you are using Navicat.

Creating a Navicat Backup Database

It is a strictly manual process, just as for phpMyAdmin utility. No methods to execute Navicat auto backup are existed. When performing backup, Navicat can “lock” a database (a sort of “cold” backup) or use it in “unlocked” state, with a risk for losing some transactions.

Other Navicat Performance Parameters

Due to brighter and smarter GUI, Navicat can simplify the administering of a database, compared to more popular phpMyAdmin utility. It can be described as a solution roughly equal to HeidiSQL by most parameters (excluding, of course, the heavy price tag).

Comparing Navicat Backup Database Functions with Handy Backup

Navicat has a manual backup tool. It can save any database (with a compression if a user needs it), marking a backup copy with some comments. For InnoDB data storage engine, an option of single-file backup is also available.

By contrast, Handy Backup has a set of automated backup instruments for any database existed. Priced at $249 for a whole toolkit (compared with a $349 for Navicat capable to back up databases, but no other data!), it allows saving much money when matters touch a database backup.

Automatic backup for any database existed

Other Advantages of Handy Backup

In addition to a lighter price tag and many backup functions in a single package, Handy Backup provides some other features and options making a database backup process simple and comfortable. Let us briefly describe a couple of these options:

Preserving native data formats, which allows immediate using any data just from backups;
Scheduling backup tasks by time, by system logon/logoff, or by plugging a USB drive into;
Amazing set of data storage for backups, including Amazon S3, FTP servers and NASes;
Strong data encryption when storing (by a modified BlowFish) or transferring (SFTP/FTPS);
Backing up and restoring any type of server-level or user-level data, not just databases.

A variety of data storages for Navicat backup

All these functions allow creating and maintaining backup strategy for local and remote databases of any type, as well as for any other information like virtual machine arrays or data server FTP directories. User can control the program via the clear, comprehensible graphical interface.

Comparing Navicat with Other Database Administering Tools

For a convenience, we are shortly describing other popular database managing solution, compared with Navicat in terms of pros and cons. In addition, for obvious reasons we are also mentioning any backup capabilities of each tool here.

phpMyAdmin

A popular database-administering tool, phpMyAdmin is often included as a part of cPanel interface for many websites and remote database services powered on MySQL.

Pros: phpMyAdmin is a free utility. It has a whole range of basic administering functions.
Cons: phpMyAdmin lacks an automation of any operation, requiring only manual job.
Backup capabilities: phpMyAdmin can back up or restore any MySQL database in a manual mode.

HeidiSQL

This program is also freeware. Among the capabilities of HeidiSQL are managing MySQL and its forks (MariaDB and Percona), PostgreSQL and MS SQL.

Pros: HeidiSQL has a bigger set of functions than phpMyAdmin, as well as friendlier interface.
Cons: As phpMyAdmin, HeidiSQL lacks an automation, especially for backing up data.
Backup capabilities: HeidiSQL can save or restore any MS SQL, MySQL or PostgreSQL database.

MySQL Workbench

Working with MySQL, this utility lacks almost any flaw typical for other DB administering utility. It has some instruments automating the data-managing process. It has a free “community” edition and a more capable “standard” edition requiring an annual fee.

Pros: MySQL Workbench has a great set of managing tools, including visualization.
Cons: Perhaps a limitation for MySQL database managing only.
Backup capabilities: MySQL Workbench has some automated backup functions (again, for MySQL databases only).

A price tag for Navicat is heavier than for any other instrument listed here. In addition, a fancy GUI and an absence of automation can make Navicat somehow difficult to use on a daily basis. Therefore, we recommend administering data with Navicat but backing up using Handy Backup!