Compare
Wharfbase and Adminer
Adminer is a database manager in a single PHP file, open source, often run as the adminer Docker image next to a database.
| Adminer | Wharfbase | |
|---|---|---|
| Finding databases | You enter the server, user and password | Finds them in your containers (and on the host) by itself |
| Engines | MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, Oracle; more through plugins | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, Redis, MongoDB; ten more on Pro |
| Reaching a database in a Compose project | Run Adminer on that project’s network | Joins the network it needs, and leaves it later |
| What uses a database, what’s wrong with it | — | Consumers, exposed ports, missing passwords, end-of-life versions |
| Users and roles | Each person signs in with database credentials | Accounts, roles, per-database permissions, an audit log |
| Production safety | As safe as the database user you sign in with | Read-only by default on production, audited unlocks |
| Footprint | One PHP file | A Node.js server and a small socket proxy |
Use Adminer when
- You want the smallest possible tool for one database you already know the address of.
- You need an engine only an Adminer plugin covers.
Use Wharfbase when
- You run several projects in Docker and want to see every database without keeping a list.
- Several people need access, with roles, read-only production and an audit trail.
They also work side by side: Wharfbase doesn't mind other clients, and shows them as consumers.
Checked in October 2026 against Adminer's own documentation. Something out of date? Tell us.