# Mongonaut: Self-Hosted MongoDB Web GUI

## Mongonaut vs mongo-express

> Category: Compare

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## Pages

- [Overview](https://mongonaut.org/about-mongonaut)
- [Installation](https://mongonaut.org/installation)
- [Docker setup](https://mongonaut.org/mongodb-gui-docker)

### Compare

- [Mongonaut vs mongo-express](https://mongonaut.org/compare/mongonaut-vs-mongo-express)
- [Mongonaut vs MongoDB Compass](https://mongonaut.org/compare/mongonaut-vs-mongodb-compass)

### Guides

- [Migrate from mongo-express](https://mongonaut.org/guides/migrate-from-mongo-express)
- [Read-only configuration](https://mongonaut.org/guides/read-only-configuration)
- [Troubleshooting](https://mongonaut.org/guides/troubleshooting)

### Security

- [Authentication](https://mongonaut.org/security/authentication)
- [Cloudflare Zero Trust Tunnel](https://mongonaut.org/security/zero-trust-tunnel)

### Community

- [FAQ](https://mongonaut.org/community/faq)
- [Contributing](https://mongonaut.org/community/contributing)

---

# Mongonaut vs mongo-express

This comparison is for developers choosing a self-hosted MongoDB web GUI. It focuses on practical deployment and workflow differences, not benchmarks or broad claims.

Mongonaut is a modern, self-hosted MongoDB web GUI and a modern alternative to mongo-express. It is not a feature-for-feature clone of mongo-express, so evaluate the workflows your team actually uses before switching.

## Quick summary

Choose Mongonaut if you want a Docker based browser UI for MongoDB with a modern document interface, built-in authentication modes and a clear read-only configuration.

Keep or test mongo-express carefully if you rely on mongo-express workflows that Mongonaut does not currently implement, such as aggregation pipeline UI, index management, GridFS browsing or shell access.

## Comparison table

| Area | Mongonaut | mongo-express |
| --- | --- | --- |
| User interface | Modern web interface focused on databases, collections, documents, search and JSON editing. | Established web admin interface for MongoDB. Exact workflow depends on your mongo-express version and configuration. |
| Docker deployment | Published as `ghcr.io/withzu/mongonaut`; documented with Docker and Docker Compose examples. | Commonly deployed with Docker and Docker Compose. |
| Configuration | Uses `MONGO_CONNECTION_URL` for a MongoDB URI plus `MONGONAUT_*` environment variables. | Uses mongo-express environment variables and connection settings. |
| Authentication | Supports account login, static password login, OIDC and explicit `NONE` mode. | Authentication behavior depends on mongo-express configuration and any external reverse proxy setup. |
| Read-only options | `MONGONAUT_READONLY=true` disables write operations in the UI and server actions. Account mode can grant read-only database or collection access. | Check your mongo-express configuration and MongoDB user permissions for read-only behavior. |
| Document management | Inspect, create, edit and delete documents when write access is enabled. | Supports document administration workflows; verify exact capabilities in your installed version. |
| Collection search | Key/value search with type detection for numbers and booleans. | Query/search behavior depends on mongo-express features and version. |
| Collection export | Full collection export as JSON. | Verify export behavior in your mongo-express setup. |
| Maintenance status | Current verified Mongonaut release: `v0.1.6`, published June 19, 2026. | External project. Review the upstream repository and release cadence before adopting or migrating. |
| Typical use cases | Private self-hosted environments, browser based MongoDB inspection, Docker deployments, read-only review access, internal teams. | Existing mongo-express deployments, workflows that depend on mongo-express-specific features. |

## Mongonaut strengths

- A focused, modern MongoDB web UI for browsing databases, collections and documents.
- Docker-first deployment examples.
- Built-in account, static password and OIDC authentication modes.
- `MONGONAUT_READONLY=true` for read-only deployments.
- Standard MongoDB connection strings through `MONGO_CONNECTION_URL`.
- Works in a browser, which helps on servers or devices where a desktop app is not practical.

## Mongonaut limitations

Mongonaut does not currently provide:

- Aggregation pipeline builder or runner in the UI.
- Index management UI.
- GridFS browser.
- MongoDB shell access.
- Multi-connection management in the UI.

If those are central to your workflow, do not remove mongo-express until you have tested Mongonaut against your real use cases.

## Installation example

```bash
docker run -it --rm \
  -p 8081:8081 \
  -e MONGO_CONNECTION_URL="mongodb://mongo:27017/" \
  -e MONGONAUT_AUTH_SECRET="$(openssl rand -base64 32)" \
  ghcr.io/withzu/mongonaut
```

For a complete setup, see [Install Mongonaut](/installation) and [MongoDB GUI with Docker](/mongodb-gui-docker).

## Migration path

1. Run Mongonaut next to mongo-express on a different port.
2. Use the same MongoDB connection target.
3. Test browsing, search, document editing and read-only behavior.
4. Protect access with Mongonaut authentication or your existing access layer.
5. Keep mongo-express until every required workflow is covered.

See [Migrate from mongo-express](/guides/migrate-from-mongo-express) for a practical Docker Compose migration.

## FAQ

### Is Mongonaut better than mongo-express?

That depends on your requirements. Mongonaut provides a modern interface, Docker examples, read-only mode and built-in authentication options. mongo-express may still be the right tool if your workflow depends on features Mongonaut does not currently include.

### Can Mongonaut and mongo-express use the same MongoDB instance?

Yes. Run them on different web ports and point both at the same MongoDB server or cluster.

### Does Mongonaut require changing MongoDB data?

No. Mongonaut connects to MongoDB through a URI. Migration is usually changing the admin UI container, not moving database data.

### Should I use read-only mode during evaluation?

For shared or production-like environments, yes. Set `MONGONAUT_READONLY=true` and use a MongoDB read-only user when possible.

## Related links

- [Modern mongo-express Alternative](/mongo-express-alternative)
- [Migrate from mongo-express](/guides/migrate-from-mongo-express)
- [Install Mongonaut](/installation)
- [Authentication](/security/authentication)