# Sequel Pro Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 Fast, easy-to-use Mac database management application for working with MySQL databases. Category: Developer Tools · Free · Replaces Navicat Premium ($1,299) · [Official website](https://www.sequelpro.com) ## Install with Homebrew `brew install --cask sequel-pro` ## Quick take Sequel Pro was once the gold standard for MySQL management on Mac, earning a devoted following through its native design and reliable performance. However, as a discontinued application, it no longer meets the needs of modern development. It lacks MySQL 8 support, native Apple Silicon optimization, and security updates. Existing users should migrate to Sequel Ace for a smooth upgrade path. New users should start with Sequel Ace or TablePlus instead. Sequel Pro's legacy lives on through its successor, but the original application is now a historical artifact rather than a recommended tool. Best for: Developers maintaining legacy MySQL 5.7 systems, Intel Mac users with established Sequel Pro workflows, Historical reference for Mac database client evolution ## What is Sequel Pro? Sequel Pro is a discontinued open-source MySQL and MariaDB database management application for macOS that earned legendary status among Mac developers during the 2010s. Originally created in 2003 as a fork of CocoaMySQL by Lorenz Textor, it evolved into the most popular MySQL client for Mac, praised for its beautiful native Cocoa interface, lightning-fast performance, and intuitive design. The application provided developers with a visual way to connect to MySQL databases, run queries, browse tables, and edit data without touching the command line. However, Sequel Pro's development effectively stalled after 2019, with the last stable release (version 1.1.2) dating back to 2016. The application lacks support for MySQL 8's caching_sha2_password authentication plugin, causing crashes and connection failures with modern MySQL versions. It also has no native Apple Silicon support, running only through Rosetta 2 emulation on modern Macs. In 2026, Sequel Pro exists primarily as a historical reference point and for developers working with legacy MySQL 5.7 systems. Most users have migrated to Sequel Ace (the community-maintained fork) or commercial alternatives like TablePlus. While still functional for basic MySQL tasks on older systems, new users should consider actively maintained alternatives for production work. ## Features - **Native Cocoa Interface.** Sequel Pro was built entirely with Cocoa and AppKit, providing a truly native macOS experience that felt like an Apple-designed application. The three-pane interface (database sidebar, main content area, and query/results view) set the standard for Mac database clients. It respected system appearance settings and used standard macOS keyboard shortcuts throughout. The native architecture meant instant startup and minimal memory usage, typically 40-80MB even with large result sets. - **Visual Query Editor.** The SQL editor provided syntax highlighting, query history, and the ability to save frequently-used queries as favorites. Multiple queries could be executed simultaneously, with results displayed in separate tabs. While lacking modern features like intelligent autocomplete or real-time error detection, the editor was fast, responsive, and familiar to anyone who used native Mac text editors. Query favorites allowed developers to store commonly-used SQL snippets for instant recall. - **Table Content Browser.** Browse table data in a responsive grid with inline editing capabilities. Double-click any cell to modify its value directly, with Sequel Pro generating and executing the appropriate UPDATE statement automatically. The grid supported sorting by column, basic filtering, and pagination for large tables. Developers could visually inspect data relationships, edit records, and export filtered subsets without writing SQL. - **SSH Tunneling.** Connect to remote MySQL databases through SSH tunnels directly from the connection dialog. Configure the SSH host, username, key file, and MySQL credentials in one interface, Sequel Pro handled the tunnel lifecycle automatically. This was essential for accessing production databases behind firewalls without maintaining separate terminal sessions. The tunneling support worked reliably with jump hosts and various authentication methods. - **Table Structure Editor.** Inspect and modify database schemas visually through the Structure tab. Add columns, change data types, set defaults, create indexes, and manage foreign keys through GUI dialogs rather than ALTER TABLE statements. Changes were previewed as SQL before execution, allowing verification of what would actually run against the database. - **Import and Export.** Export table data or query results to CSV, XML, SQL dump, or dot syntax. The SQL export generated complete INSERT statements suitable for database migration or backup. CSV export supported delimiter and encoding preferences. Import functionality allowed loading SQL dump files or CSV data into tables, with progress indicators for large operations. - **Connection Management.** Save database connections as favorites with credentials stored in the macOS Keychain. Organize connections into groups for different projects or environments. The connection dialog supported TCP/IP, socket connections, and SSH tunnels with persistent configuration. Quick connection switching via the database sidebar made working across multiple databases efficient. ## How to Install Sequel Pro on Mac Sequel Pro can be installed via Homebrew or direct download. Note that the application is discontinued and may have compatibility issues with modern MySQL versions and macOS releases. 1. **Install via Homebrew.** Run: brew install,cask sequel-pro. This installs the last stable release (1.1.2). Note that newer test builds exist but are not officially released. 2. **Launch and Configure.** Open Sequel Pro. Enter your MySQL host (localhost for local databases), username, password, and database name. Click 'Connect' to establish the connection. 3. **Set Up SSH Tunnel (Optional).** For remote databases, click the SSH tab in the connection dialog. Enter your SSH host, username, and key file path. Sequel Pro will tunnel the MySQL connection through SSH automatically. ## Pros - Completely free with no limitations or paid tiers - Native Cocoa interface that feels like a first-party Mac app - Extremely lightweight, uses only 40-80MB of RAM - Fast startup and responsive performance on Intel Macs - SSH tunneling built into connection dialog - Inline table data editing with automatic SQL generation - Simple, focused interface that doesn't overwhelm new users - Historical significance as the gold standard for Mac MySQL clients ## Cons - Discontinued, no updates since 2016, no security patches - No native Apple Silicon support, runs only through Rosetta 2 - Incompatible with MySQL 8's default authentication plugin - Known crashes with modern macOS versions and large datasets - No support for PostgreSQL, SQLite, Redis, or other databases - Query editor lacks modern autocomplete and error detection - No Dark Mode support, stuck in light theme - Immediate data edits without staging increases accident risk ## Analysis: The Legacy of Sequel Pro Sequel Pro represents a golden era of Mac open-source development and the challenges of maintaining volunteer-driven software. ## FAQ ### Is Sequel Pro still maintained in 2026? No. Sequel Pro is effectively discontinued. The last stable release (1.1.2) was in 2016, and development stopped around 2019. The original maintainers are no longer actively working on the project. A community fork called Sequel Ace continues development with modern macOS support, Apple Silicon compatibility, and MySQL 8 fixes. ### Does Sequel Pro work with MySQL 8? No, not reliably. Sequel Pro lacks support for MySQL 8's default caching_sha2_password authentication plugin, causing crashes and connection failures. It was designed for MySQL 5.6 and 5.7. For MySQL 8 compatibility, use Sequel Ace (the community fork) or TablePlus instead. ### Does Sequel Pro work on Apple Silicon Macs? It runs through Rosetta 2 emulation but is not natively optimized. Users report crashes, slower performance, and compatibility issues on M1, M2, and M3 Macs. For native Apple Silicon support, migrate to Sequel Ace or TablePlus, both of which provide universal binaries. ### Should I still use Sequel Pro in 2026? Only if you're maintaining legacy MySQL 5.7 systems on Intel Macs where it already works. For any new projects, production work, or modern macOS systems, use Sequel Ace (free) or TablePlus (paid) instead. These alternatives provide the same interface philosophy with modern compatibility and active development. ### How do I migrate from Sequel Pro to Sequel Ace? Install Sequel Ace via Homebrew (brew install sequel-ace) or the Mac App Store. On first launch, Sequel Ace automatically detects and imports your Sequel Pro connection favorites, SSH configurations, and saved passwords from Keychain. Your workflow remains nearly identical, same interface, same shortcuts, same features, just with modern compatibility. ### Is Sequel Pro safe to use for production databases? Not recommended. The discontinued status means no security patches for potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, the immediate-commit editing workflow (no staging) increases risk of accidental data modification. For production work, use actively maintained tools like Sequel Ace or TablePlus, which have staged commit workflows and ongoing security updates. ### What makes Sequel Pro different from Sequel Ace? Sequel Ace is a community fork of Sequel Pro that adds Apple Silicon support, MySQL 8 compatibility, modern macOS support (including Dark Mode), and ongoing bug fixes. The interface and workflow are nearly identical, making it a drop-in replacement. Think of Sequel Ace as 'Sequel Pro with updates.' ### Does Sequel Pro support PostgreSQL or other databases? No. Sequel Pro only supports MySQL and MariaDB. For PostgreSQL, use Postico (Mac-native, paid), DBeaver Community (free, cross-platform), or TablePlus (paid, multi-database). For Redis or MongoDB, use TablePlus or specialized clients like RedisInsight and MongoDB Compass. ### Can I still download Sequel Pro? Yes. Sequel Pro remains available via Homebrew (brew install,cask sequel-pro) and various software archives. However, new users should install Sequel Ace instead for a better experience. Existing users should plan a migration path to maintained alternatives. ### Why did Sequel Pro development stop? The original maintainers moved on to other projects, and the volunteer effort required to maintain a native macOS application became unsustainable. The codebase accumulated technical debt that made modern updates difficult without significant refactoring. The community recognized this and created Sequel Ace to continue the legacy with fresh development energy. ## Sources - [Sequel Pro GitHub Repository](https://github.com/sequelpro/sequelpro) - [Sequel Pro crashes while connecting to MySQL 8](https://github.com/sequelpro/sequelpro/issues/3053) - [Sequel Ace - MySQL/MariaDB Database Management for macOS](https://sequel-ace.com/) - [We REALLY need an update on the state of Sequel Pro's development](https://github.com/sequelpro/sequelpro/issues/3617) - [TablePlus - Modern, Native Database Management](https://tableplus.com/) - [Sequel Ace GitHub repository](https://github.com/Sequel-Ace/Sequel-Ace) ## 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) - [Sequel Pro vs TablePlus](https://bundl.run/compare/sequel-pro-vs-tableplus) - [Sequel Pro vs Sequel Ace](https://bundl.run/compare/sequel-ace-vs-sequel-pro) - [Free alternative to Navicat Premium](https://bundl.run/https:/) ```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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