I'am pondering to make use of MariaDB as my new database (because MySQL is starting to ask money for some of the features). I will mainly use MariaDB to automatically update multiple tables, keep track of them, grab/insert new info in them. I will most likely combine it with multiple other programs such as Python and SAS. 
Now I want to know. Which tools are really vital in using MariaDB? What GUI should I use for example, does MariaDB have her own workbench or should I use the MySQL workbench? I've read that the MySQL workbench is not 100% compatible with MariaDB. 
Any advice's please?
I appreciate your help.
MySQL Workbench is mostly compatible with MariaDB, as are most tools. There is no separate MariaDB Workbench.
For more recent versions, you will need mariabackup instead of xtrabackup.
Just out of interest, what features of MySQL do you need that require subscription but are free in community edition of MariaDB?
Vital tools for using MariaDB