Adminer is a database management tool written in a single PHP file.
Adminer addresses the need for lightweight database administration without requiring installation of separate applications or complex server setup. It works by deploying a single PHP file to a web server, providing immediate access to database management capabilities through a web interface. The tool supports multiple database systems including MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, CockroachDB, SQLite, MS SQL, and Oracle. Beyond core databases, a plugin system extends functionality to work with Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, SimpleDB, MongoDB, Redis, Firebird, ClickHouse, and other data stores. Adminer Editor provides a companion tool focused on data manipulation for end-users rather than administrators.
Adminer suits projects where a self-contained, portable database management solution is preferable to installing dedicated software. It works well in shared hosting environments, development setups, and scenarios where minimal server footprint matters. The single-file deployment model eliminates dependency management and simplifies version control. Teams should consider it when they need quick database access without infrastructure overhead, though the web-based interface trades some power-user features for accessibility and portability.
The project maintains active development with regular updates to language translations and end-to-end test coverage using Playwright. Plugin support remains a focus area, with both distributed plugins and community contributions available. The codebase supports multiple PHP versions, with compiled versions compatible with PHP 5.3 and source code requiring PHP 7.4 or later, allowing deployment across different hosting environments.
