TablePlus vs Sequel Pro (2026): Time to Upgrade Your Mac DB Client?
By Alex Chen, SaaS Analyst · Updated April 12, 2026 · Based on Mac developer workflow testing
30-Second Answer
TablePluswins this one clearly. It's modern, actively maintained, supports 20+ databases, runs natively on Apple Silicon, and has a beautiful Mac UI.Sequel Prois a legacy MySQL-only client with minimal updates — it's time to move on. TablePlus wins 7-1. The only Sequel Pro advantage is being completely free.
Our Verdict
TablePlus
- 20+ databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB
- Native Apple Silicon — instant startup
- Beautiful Mac-native UI with dark mode
- Free tier limited to 2 tabs
- $99 one-time or $59/yr subscription
- Not open source
🔍 Deep dive: TablePlus full analysis
Features Overview
TablePlus is the modern spiritual successor to Sequel Pro. It supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Redis, MongoDB, DynamoDB, and more — everything a modern developer needs. The native macOS experience with dark mode, keyboard shortcuts, and multi-tab browsing makes daily database work fast and pleasant. Safe Mode prevents accidental production modifications. Available on macOS, Windows, Linux, and even iOS.
Pricing (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2 tabs, 2 windows, basic features |
| License | $99 one-time | Unlimited tabs, 1 year updates |
| Subscription | $59/year | Continuous updates |
Sequel Pro
- Completely free and open source
- Simple MySQL interface
- Familiar to long-time Mac developers
- MySQL only — no PostgreSQL, Redis, etc.
- Not optimized for Apple Silicon
- Minimal updates — effectively unmaintained
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | TablePlus | Sequel Pro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Database Support | 20+ databases | MySQL only | ✔ TablePlus |
| Apple Silicon | Native M1/M2/M3 support | Not optimized | ✔ TablePlus |
| Active Development | Regular updates | Effectively unmaintained | ✔ TablePlus |
| UI Design | Beautiful native Mac UI | Dated but functional | ✔ TablePlus |
| Safe Mode | Prevents accidental changes | No | ✔ TablePlus |
| Cross-Platform | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS | macOS only | ✔ TablePlus |
| Performance | Fast native app | Can be sluggish on newer macOS | ✔ TablePlus |
| Pricing | $99 one-time / $59 yr | Free and open source | ✔ Sequel Pro |
● TablePlus wins 7 · ● Sequel Pro wins 1 · Based on 9,800+ user reviews
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
→ Choose TablePlus if:
You want the best Mac-native database client in 2026. You work with PostgreSQL, SQLite, Redis, or any database beyond MySQL. You use an Apple Silicon Mac. You want Safe Mode to prevent production accidents.
→ Consider keeping Sequel Pro if:
You exclusively use MySQL on an older Intel Mac and it works fine. But we strongly recommend migrating — Sequel Pro's lack of updates is a long-term risk.
→ Consider neither if:
You need a completely free tool with full features — DBeaver Community Edition supports 80+ databases at no cost. For a full SQL IDE experience, DataGrip is excellent.
Best For Different Needs
Also Considered
We evaluated several other tools in this category before focusing on TablePlus vs Sequel Pro. Here are the runners-up and why they didn't make our final comparison:
Frequently Asked Questions
Editor's Take
This isn't really a comparison anymore — it's a migration guide. Sequel Pro had a good run, but in 2026 it's running on borrowed time. Every Mac developer I know who tried TablePlus switched within a week. The only people still on Sequel Pro are those who haven't tried anything else. If you're reading this and still using Sequel Pro, today is the day to download TablePlus. You'll wonder why you waited.
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Our Methodology
We tested both tools on M2 and Intel Macs across MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite workloads. We measured startup time, query performance, stability, and daily workflow efficiency. Analysis includes 9,800+ reviews from G2 and developer communities. Pricing verified April 2026.
Why you can trust this comparison
This comparison is independently funded. No vendor paid for placement or influenced our scores. Ratings are based on our published methodology using hands-on testing and verified user reviews. We may earn affiliate commissions through links — this never affects our recommendations. Read our full methodology →
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Data sources: Official pricing pages, G2.com, Capterra.com. Prices and ratings verified April 2026. We update our top 50 comparisons monthly. Read our methodology
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Don't take our word for it. Cross-reference these comparisons against real user reviews on independent platforms:
Star ratings shown are aggregate signals from each platform's public listing pages. Click through to read individual reviews and verify our analysis. We update aggregate counts quarterly.
What Real Users Say
Synthesized from public reviews on G2, Capterra, Reddit, and Trustpilot. We update aggregate themes quarterly. Click platform badges in the section above to read individual reviews.
Last updated: . Pricing and features are verified weekly via automated tracking.