# Postico Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 GUI client for PostgreSQL databases Category: Developer Tools · Paid · [Official website](https://eggerapps.at/postico2/) ## Install with Homebrew `brew install --cask postico` ## Quick take In August 2026, Postico 2 is still the native Mac PostgreSQL client to beat when you care about daily editing speed more than multi-engine breadth. Personal $69, Commercial $99/device, and Team $799 are straightforward perpetual prices against SaaS database tools. PostgresGUI competes on sticker price; TablePlus and DataGrip compete on scope. Choose Postico when PostgreSQL (or Redshift / Cockroach / Greenplum) is home base and you want Mac-native tools with multi-file SQL and a function editor. Choose something else when you need ER diagrams, five database families in one window, or JetBrains-level refactoring. Best for: Mac developers working primarily with PostgreSQL, Data analysts using Amazon Redshift or CockroachDB, Database administrators who want native performance and nested connection hygiene, Buyers who prefer a perpetual license over another subscription ## What is Postico 2? Postico 2 is a native macOS PostgreSQL client from Egger Apps, built by independent developer Jakob Egger. As of August 2026 it is still actively maintained and sold. It is not a multi-engine browser that treats every database the same. It is a Mac-first GUI for PostgreSQL and PostgreSQL-compatible systems: Amazon Redshift, CockroachDB, and Greenplum, with limited support where SQL still works (for example Vertica). The app requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. That bar lets it use current Apple frameworks while staying small. If you are on macOS 10.10 through 13, Egger still publishes Postico 1.x on the legacy downloads page. Postico 2 is a ground-up rebuild of Postico 1.x and the earlier PG Commander line. The practical upgrades you notice day to day: a multi-file query editor with folders, built-in SQL formatting through pgFormatter, a native function editor for stored procedures, nested server groups, iCloud or Dropbox sync for connection settings, startup queries on connect, and silent background updates so you are not pestered mid-query. Pricing is perpetual rather than SaaS: Personal is $69 / €62 (VAT included) for one person on up to three devices, Student $29 / €27 for one device, Commercial $99 / €90 per device, and Team $799 / €730 for up to ten devices. There is a free evaluation with no time limit, though some features stay locked until you buy. Who it is for: Mac developers, analysts, and DBAs who live in PostgreSQL and want a client that launches quickly, edits rows without ceremony, and does not drag a JVM along for the ride. Who should look elsewhere: people who need MySQL, Redis, or MongoDB in the same app (TablePlus or DBeaver), people who need heavy SQL refactoring and diagrams (DataGrip), or people who only want the absolute cheapest native GUI (newer options such as PostgresGUI around $12.99). Postico wins when PostgreSQL is home base and Mac fit matters more than engine breadth. ## Features - **Multi-File Query Editor.** Postico 2's SQL editor treats queries as files you can keep, not disposable console scrap. Create SQL files, group them into folders in the sidebar, open the same file in more than one tab or window, and rely on automatic saving so a crash does not eat your work. Drag external .sql files into the sidebar, or edit those files in VS Code, Sublime Text, or Nova while Postico keeps them in view. pgFormatter is built in: press Ctrl+F to reformat and keep house style consistent across a shared query library. This is the workflow difference people notice after a week of diagnostic scripts and migration drafts. - **Data Entry and Table Browsing.** Click a table in the sidebar to open its rows. Filter without writing a WHERE clause when you are just exploring. The foreign key picker jumps related tables without hand-written JOINs. A row detail sidebar opens wide fields and awkward rows. Double-click a cell to edit; Postico respects types, constraints, and validation so invalid values fail early instead of after a bad commit. It feels closer to a careful spreadsheet than to a form builder, which is what you want for spot fixes and sample data checks. - **Visual Table Structure Editor.** Create and alter tables in a graphical structure view that shows columns, indexes, and constraints together. Add columns, change types, set defaults, and manage constraints without memorizing every ALTER TABLE variant. A raw SQL DDL view shows the generated statements so advanced users can audit or copy the exact change before it runs. That bridge between visual design and real DDL is useful when juniors draft schema and seniors review the SQL. - **Native Function and Procedure Editor.** Postico 2 ships a dedicated editor for PostgreSQL functions and stored procedures. You get syntax highlighting, structure navigation, and change tracking for database-side code without bouncing to a separate editor for every PL/pgSQL tweak. View definitions, adjust parameters and return types, and keep table, query, and function work in one Mac window. Teams that still maintain migration and ETL logic in the database use this more than the marketing pages suggest. - **Advanced Connection Management.** Connections scale from one local Postgres to large production inventories. Nested groups keep servers organized by environment or region. Filters keep a long sidebar usable. Sync connection settings across Macs with iCloud or Dropbox. Startup queries run automatically on connect: set default_transaction_read_only, fix search_path for multi-tenant schemas, or establish session logging. SSH tunnels are configured on the connection itself so you do not keep a separate terminal session for every bastion hop. - **PostgreSQL-Compatible Database Support.** First-class targets include PostgreSQL itself plus Amazon Redshift for warehouses, CockroachDB for distributed deployments, and Greenplum for analytics. Limited support exists where SQL execution still works, including Vertica. The trade-off is explicit: Postico will not pretend to be a universal client for MySQL or MongoDB. If your week is all Postgres-family engines, that focus pays off in type handling and tooling depth. - **Silent Background Updates.** Updates download and install in the background without modal dialogs or forced restarts mid-session. You can stay on stable releases for production machines or opt into development builds for earlier features. Existing license holders can reach development builds through update preferences or the Egger Apps releases page. The design goal is simple: the database client should not be the thing interrupting your maintenance window. ## How to Install Postico 2 on Mac Postico 2 needs macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Install with Homebrew, download from Egger Apps, or buy through the Mac App Store. Most power users prefer the direct download or Homebrew cask so App Store sandbox limits do not get in the way. 1. **Install Homebrew if you want the cask route.** Open Terminal and install Homebrew with: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)". Skip this step if you already use brew or plan to download the DMG from Egger Apps. 2. **Install Postico.** With Homebrew: brew install --cask postico. That places the app in Applications and keeps upgrades in the brew upgrade loop. Otherwise download from releases.eggerapps.at/postico2/downloads or the Mac App Store and drag into Applications if needed. 3. **Create the first connection.** Launch Postico, click +, and enter host, port, username, password, and database name. For bastion-protected hosts, fill SSH tunnel settings before the database credentials so the tunnel is ready when you connect. Run a trivial SELECT to confirm the path before importing large schemas or writing updates. ## Pros - Native macOS app with quick launch and smooth scrolling through large result sets - Built for PostgreSQL (plus Redshift, CockroachDB, Greenplum) instead of generic multi-DB compromise - Multi-file query editor with folders and pgFormatter auto-formatting - Silent background updates that stay out of the way - Perpetual license without a subscription clock - iCloud or Dropbox sync for connections and saved queries across Macs - Native function editor for stored procedures and PL/pgSQL work - Clean UI that keeps daily SQL work free of IDE chrome ## Cons - PostgreSQL-family focus only; MySQL, Redis, and MongoDB need another tool - No built-in ER diagram generation like DBeaver or DataGrip - No visual query builder for complex SQL construction - macOS 14+ requirement excludes older Macs (use Postico 1.x there) ## Closer look: design choices and what they buy you Postico is a deliberate bet on depth over breadth and native Mac craft over cross-platform sameness. That bet shows up every time you open the app for a two-minute check and it is ready before your coffee cools. History matters for trust. Jakob Egger built Postico after PG Commander to close the gap between psql and heavy Java GUIs. Postico 1.x earned a reputation for simple, reliable daily use. Postico 2 is a full rebuild after years of iteration, not a skin on the old code. The company is independent and not venture-funded, which is why you still see perpetual pricing and a focus on UX over growth gimmicks. Architecture is native. AppKit drives the UI, Core Data holds local state, and libpq speaks PostgreSQL directly. Launch times stay low, scrolling large result sets stays smooth, and macOS features work without a translation layer: iCloud, Keychain, system dark mode. Memory use is typically under 100MB with multiple connections, which is why analysts keep it open next to notebooks without drama. Specialization is the product. Because Postico does not chase every engine, the function editor can understand PL/pgSQL, the structure editor can speak PostgreSQL constraint types, and completion can lean on Postgres system catalogs. A universal JDBC client will always be broader and usually shallower. Buying advice for 2026: if PostgreSQL (or Redshift / Cockroach / Greenplum) is most of your week and you want a Mac-native perpetual license, Postico is still easy to justify. If you need diagrams, multi-engine breadth, or JetBrains-grade refactoring, pair it with DBeaver or DataGrip, or switch. Evaluate multi-file SQL, function editing, and silent updates hands-on; those workflows are the real differentiators, not a feature checklist. ## FAQ ### Is Postico free to use? There is an evaluation version with no time limit. It is not free software: some features stay disabled until you buy a license. Use the evaluation to decide if the workflow fits, then purchase Personal, Student, Commercial, or Team. ### Does Postico support databases other than PostgreSQL? PostgreSQL is the home base. First-class support also covers Amazon Redshift, CockroachDB, and Greenplum. Limited support exists for engines like Vertica where SQL execution works but advanced features may not. For MySQL, MongoDB, or other non-Postgres databases, use TablePlus or DBeaver instead. ### What macOS versions does Postico 2 support? Postico 2 requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. On macOS 10.10 through 13, download Postico 1.x from Egger's legacy downloads page. ### Can I use Postico on multiple Macs with one license? Personal licenses activate on up to 3 devices for the same individual. Commercial licenses are per device and transferable inside your organisation. Team covers up to 10 devices. The Mac App Store edition follows Apple Family Sharing rules. ### Is Postico a subscription or one-time purchase? One-time purchase. Licenses are perpetual for Postico 2.x with no recurring fee. A future Postico 3 might be a paid upgrade, but 2.x licenses do not expire and include 2.x updates. ### How do I update Postico? Postico 2 checks for updates and installs them in the background without interrupting work. You can also check manually from the application menu. Development builds are available if you want earlier features. ### Can I sync my connections across Macs? Yes. Enable iCloud or Dropbox sync in preferences for server lists, saved queries, and window arrangements. Passwords live in the macOS Keychain and can sync through iCloud Keychain if you use it. ### Does Postico work with SSH tunneling? Yes. Configure SSH host, port, username, and private key on the connection. Postico opens the tunnel when you connect, so you do not need a separate terminal port-forward for bastion hosts. ### Is there a difference between the direct download and Mac App Store versions? Minor differences exist because of App Store sandboxing. The direct download from Egger Apps is the full-featured default for most users. Both receive the same core updates. App Store licensing follows Apple's terms. ### Do I qualify for a student discount? Student licenses are $29 / €27 (VAT included) for one device when you qualify. Same functionality as personal licenses, single-device use, not for resale or organisational seats. ## Sources - [Postico 2 Official Site](https://eggerapps.at/postico2/) - [Postico 2 Licenses & Pricing](https://eggerapps.at/postico2/buy.html) - [Postico 2 Downloads](https://releases.eggerapps.at/postico2/downloads) - [Postico 2 Documentation](https://eggerapps.at/postico2/documentation/index.html) - [Postico 2 Support](https://eggerapps.at/postico2/support/) - [Best PostgreSQL Client for Mac (2026)](https://postgresmac.com/blog/best-postgresql-client-mac) - [Top Postgres GUI Clients](https://www.bytebase.com/blog/top-postgres-gui-client/) ## Related - [Cursor](https://bundl.run/apps/cursor) - [Claude Code](https://bundl.run/apps/claude-code) - [ChatGPT](https://bundl.run/apps/chatgpt) - [Claude](https://bundl.run/apps/claude) - [Codex](https://bundl.run/apps/codex) - [Windsurf](https://bundl.run/apps/windsurf) - [Postico vs TablePlus](https://bundl.run/compare/postico-vs-tableplus) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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