How do I deploy PgWeb (Open-Source PostgreSQL Web Client & Viewer) on Railway?

You can deploy PgWeb (Open-Source PostgreSQL Web Client & Viewer) on Railway by clicking the "Deploy Now" button on this page. Railway will automatically set up all the necessary services and configurations for you.

What are the system requirements?

Railway handles all the infrastructure requirements. You only need a web browser to deploy and manage your application.

Is this template free to use?

Yes, this template is free to use within your existing Railway account.

Can I customize this template?

Yes, you can fully customize this template. After deployment, you will have full control of what you've deployed in your Railway project.

How do I get support for this template?

You can get support through our community forum: pgweb-089fbb6c, or join our Discord community for more assistance.

pgweb UI for PostgreSQL
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Deploy and Host Managed Pgweb Service with one click on Railway

Pgweb is a lightweight, web-based PostgreSQL database browser designed to make database management simpler and faster. Available as an open-source project on GitHub, Pgweb provides an intuitive interface to explore, query, and manage PostgreSQL databases directly from your browser.

About Hosting Pgweb on Railway (Self Hosting Pgweb on Railway)

Self-hosting Pgweb gives you complete control over your PostgreSQL management tool while keeping your database interactions private and secure. Pgweb can connect to both local and remote PostgreSQL databases, making it an ideal companion for developers, startups, and enterprises who need fast, browser-based access to data.

Why Deploy Managed Pgweb Service on Railway

Deploying a managed Pgweb service on Railway lets you focus on managing your databases instead of dealing with the infrastructure setup. With automated scaling, instant deployment, and simple environment management, Railway makes hosting Pgweb effortless.

Pgweb works perfectly on Railway’s containerized environment, ensuring high performance and security with minimal configuration. Whether you're managing a single PostgreSQL instance or multiple databases, Railway's managed hosting ensures your Pgweb deployment runs smoothly and reliably.

Railway vs DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean requires you to set up your Droplet manually, configure PostgreSQL connection access, install Pgweb, and handle software updates. In contrast, Railway enables instant Pgweb deployment without any manual setup. With just a few clicks, you get an active Pgweb service, complete with built-in scaling and security.

Railway vs Linode

Linode hosting involves manual server provisioning, patching, and SSL configuration for Pgweb. Railway automates all of these, managing SSL, scaling, and server uptime. You simply connect your PostgreSQL database, and Railway takes care of the rest.

Railway vs Vultr

On Vultr, you’d need to manage SSH keys, network access, and database credentials for Pgweb setup. Railway abstracts this complexity, offering a pre-configured environment with secure connection handling and automated maintenance.

Railway vs Hetzner

Hetzner offers great pricing but expects you to handle everything manually - from dependency setup to firewall rules. Railway, on the other hand, offers a completely managed experience, automating updates and providing a ready-to-use Pgweb instance with one click.

pgweb dashboard for PostgreSQL
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Common Use Cases

Here are some common use cases for Pgweb:

Database Administration: Manage, edit, and visualize PostgreSQL tables and queries through a browser-based interface.
Data Exploration: View records, filter results, and execute custom SQL queries without needing external clients.
Quick Debugging: Developers can inspect database contents, structure, and relationships during application debugging.
Team Collaboration: Share safe, browser-based database access across team members with proper credentials.
Secure Remote Access: Pgweb provides a convenient way to manage remote PostgreSQL instances with HTTPS security.

Dependencies for Pgweb hosted on Railway

To host Pgweb on Railway, the following dependencies are required:

PostgreSQL Database (either local or remote)
Go Runtime (for Pgweb binary execution)
Environment variables for PostgreSQL connection credentials

Deployment Dependencies for Managed Pgweb Service

Railway automatically provisions and maintains the runtime environment for Pgweb, so you only need to configure your PostgreSQL connection variables:

DATABASE_URL (your PostgreSQL connection string)
PGWEB_PORT (optional, default: 8081)

Implementation Details for Pgweb

Pgweb uses environment variables to connect securely to your database. When deploying Pgweb on Railway, just set your PostgreSQL connection string in the DATABASE_URL variable. Railway handles the rest — deploying, hosting, and scaling your Pgweb instance automatically.

How does Pgweb compare to other PostgreSQL management tools

Pgweb vs pgAdmin

Pgweb offers a simpler and faster interface than pgAdmin, focusing on ease of use and minimal configuration. While pgAdmin is feature-rich, it can be heavy and resource-intensive. Pgweb is lightweight, ideal for quick database inspection and query execution.

Pgweb vs DBeaver

DBeaver is a cross-platform desktop client supporting multiple databases. Pgweb, on the other hand, is web-based, requires no installation, and focuses exclusively on PostgreSQL for performance optimization.

Pgweb vs Adminer

Adminer supports multiple databases but lacks Pgweb’s dedicated PostgreSQL performance and modern UI. Pgweb provides faster query handling and an intuitive browsing experience.

Pgweb vs TablePlus

TablePlus is a paid desktop client offering great UX. Pgweb, however, is open-source and web-based, making it perfect for developers who prefer browser access without licensing costs.

Pgweb vs Beekeeper Studio

Beekeeper Studio focuses on multi-database desktop management. Pgweb is faster for PostgreSQL-only use cases, deployable in one click, and accessible from any device.

How to use Pgweb

Deploy Pgweb using the one-click Railway deploy button.
Set up environment variables: Add your PostgreSQL connection string as DATABASE_URL.
Access the Pgweb Dashboard: Once deployed, Railway provides a public URL to your Pgweb dashboard.
Connect to your database: Log in using your database credentials.
Start exploring: Run queries, view tables, and manage your data directly from the web interface.

How to self host Pgweb on other VPS

Clone the Repository

Clone Pgweb from GitHub using:

git clone https://github.com/sosedoff/pgweb.git

Install Dependencies

Ensure your VPS has Go runtime installed. Build Pgweb using:

go build

Configure Environment Variables

Set up environment variables for your PostgreSQL connection:

export DATABASE_URL=postgres://user:password@host:port/dbname?sslmode=disable

Start the Pgweb Application

Run the application:

./pgweb

Access the Pgweb Dashboard

Open your browser and visit http://localhost:8081 (or your VPS public IP) to access the Pgweb interface.

With Railway, this entire setup process becomes as simple as one click — no manual builds, no configuration hassles. Deploy Now!

Features of Pgweb

Web-based PostgreSQL client — no installation needed
Lightweight and super-fast performance
Execute SQL queries directly from the browser
Export results to CSV or JSON
Supports SSL connections for secure data management
Docker and Railway compatible for instant deployment
Responsive UI optimized for both desktop and mobile
Open-source and community supported

Official Pricing of Pgweb

Pgweb is completely free and open-source. You only pay for the hosting infrastructure, such as Railway plans, which start at around $5/month. There are no license fees, making Pgweb an ideal choice for individuals and small teams.

Self hosting Pgweb vs Paid GUI Tools

Self-hosting Pgweb is cost-effective and provides full control, while paid GUI tools like TablePlus or DataGrip come with monthly subscriptions and local installations. Pgweb, being browser-based, gives similar functionality for free, accessible from anywhere.

Monthly cost of Self hosting Pgweb on Railway

Hosting Pgweb on Railway generally costs $5–$10/month, depending on usage. This includes your app instance and optional managed PostgreSQL database. Compared to paid database tools, it’s an affordable, scalable solution.

System Requirements for Hosting Pgweb

PostgreSQL 9.1 or higher
Go runtime environment (handled by Railway)
256MB RAM minimum
Railway or VPS with a public URL

FAQs

What is Pgweb?

Pgweb is a lightweight, web-based PostgreSQL client that allows you to view, query, and manage your database directly from a browser.

How do I self host Pgweb?

You can self-host Pgweb by downloading it from GitHub or deploying it on Railway using the one-click deploy button.

What are the main features of Pgweb?

Pgweb offers SQL execution, data visualization, CSV export, SSL support, and a fast, web-based PostgreSQL management experience.

How do I deploy Pgweb on Railway?

Select the Pgweb template on Railway, set your PostgreSQL DATABASE_URL, and click Deploy — Railway automates everything else.

What are the dependencies for hosting Pgweb?

Pgweb requires a PostgreSQL database connection and Go runtime (handled automatically by Railway).

Is Pgweb secure?

Yes, Pgweb supports SSL connections and can be hosted securely over HTTPS using Railway’s built-in TLS certificates.

What makes Pgweb different from pgAdmin?

Pgweb is lighter and faster, focused solely on PostgreSQL, while pgAdmin offers more features but is heavier and desktop-based.

Can I connect multiple databases in Pgweb?

Yes, Pgweb supports connecting to different PostgreSQL instances using separate DATABASE_URL configurations.

How much does it cost to host Pgweb on Railway?

Typically $5–$10/month depending on your Railway plan and database size.