# Postico vs TablePlus Published January 1, 2026 ยท Updated August 10, 2026 Postico and TablePlus are both database on a Mac, so the pick depends on workflow. Use Postico if PostgreSQL on macOS is your main job. Use TablePlus if your week spans several databases or operating systems. Try both free trials before you. As of October 2026, both install with brew install --cask postico and brew install --cask tableplus. Postico 2 stays the specialist for Mac Postgres work. TablePlus stays the multi-engine native workhorse. August 2026 pricing and features did not change the split. ## Head to head | Factor | Postico | TablePlus | | --- | --- | --- | | Price | Paid | Paid | | Open Source | No | No | | Replaces | โ€” | โ€” | | Best for | database, postgresql, sql | database, sql, management | | Install | brew install --cask postico | brew install --cask tableplus | | Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools | ## Postico GUI client for PostgreSQL databases Install: `brew install --cask postico` [Postico on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/postico) ## TablePlus Modern, native database management tool Install: `brew install --cask tableplus` [TablePlus on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/tableplus) ## Features - **Database Support.** TablePlus wins for breadth of database coverage. - **User Interface.** Postico's native macOS interface feels more familiar for PostgreSQL work. - **Query Editor.** TablePlus has the stronger query editor for heavier use. - **Schema Exploration.** Postico makes schema browsing easier at a glance. - **Plugin Support.** TablePlus wins for extensibility. - **Data Manipulation.** TablePlus offers more ways to work with data. - **Collaboration.** TablePlus is better for teams. ## FAQ ### Which database client is easier to use? Postico is usually easier to pick up. Its UI is simpler. TablePlus is still approachable, but the broader feature set takes longer to learn. ### Which database client handles more types of work? TablePlus covers more, because it supports many databases and includes more query tools and plugins. It fits messy, multi-engine setups better. ### Which database client is better for macOS? Postico feels the most at home on macOS if you mostly use PostgreSQL and want a simple, native UI. TablePlus also runs well on macOS and adds cross-platform use. ### Does TablePlus offer a free trial? Yes, TablePlus offers a free trial with limited features (2 tabs, 2 windows, 2 advanced filters). The trial has no time limit, making it suitable for evaluation. Perpetual licenses start at $99 for full feature access. ### Is Postico a one-time purchase or subscription? Postico 2 is available for a one-time purchase, providing a perpetual license for the current version. Personal licenses cost $69 (up to 3 devices), while commercial licenses are $99 per device. Upgrades to future major versions may require an additional purchase. ### Which client has better collaboration features? TablePlus. Shared connections and snippets make team work easier, especially when a team uses more than one database. ### What kind of query editor is better? TablePlus has the more feature-rich editor. That matters more when your SQL gets complex. ### Is TablePlus better for team members in cross platform environments? Yes, as TablePlus has clients across macOS, Windows, and Linux, its ability to provide a consistent UX makes it a good choice for developers in a cross platform environment. ### Is Postico a good choice if I might work with more databases in the future? No, if your development plans include using more than just the PostgreSQL database, then Postico might not be a good choice because of its singular focus on that database. TablePlus supports many databases. ### Which client is a better choice for beginners? Postico is generally a better choice for beginners who appreciate the simplified UX of an application focused just on the PostgreSQL database. ### Can Postico connect to remote databases via SSH tunnel? Yes, Postico supports SSH tunneling for secure connections to remote PostgreSQL databases. You can configure an SSH host, port, username, and authentication method (password or key file) directly in the connection settings. This is essential for connecting to production databases hosted on cloud providers like AWS RDS or DigitalOcean where direct connections are blocked by firewall rules. ### Does TablePlus support dark mode on macOS? Yes, TablePlus fully supports macOS dark mode and follows the system appearance setting automatically. It also allows you to customize the editor theme independently, so you can have a dark chrome with a light editor background or vice versa. Postico similarly respects the system dark mode setting and renders its interface natively using macOS AppKit components. ### Can I use both Postico and TablePlus on the same machine? Absolutely. Many developers install both and use them for different purposes. A common workflow is to use Postico as the daily driver for PostgreSQL development due to its speed and simplicity, while keeping TablePlus installed for the occasions when you need to connect to MySQL, Redis, or another non-PostgreSQL database. There are no conflicts between the two applications. ### Is TablePlus a subscription in 2026? No. Licences are buy-once. You get a year of updates/support, then you may keep using the last build or renew (about $59 per device) for newer updates. ### Does Postico work on Windows? No. Postico is Mac-only. Choose TablePlus or another cross-platform client if you need Windows or Linux. ### Which is cheaper for three Macs on Postgres only? Postico Personal at $69 covers up to three devices. TablePlus would need multiple seats or a Standard/Team configuration that costs more for the same Mac-only Postgres workflow. ### Can I try both without paying? Yes. Postico offers an unlimited-time evaluation with some features disabled. TablePlus offers a free trial with limits on open tabs, windows, and advanced filters. ### Is Postico still worth it if I only use Supabase or RDS Postgres? Yes if you want a native Mac client for schema browsing and ad-hoc SQL. Connection is standard Postgres wire protocol; the value is UX, not hosting. ## Sources - [Postico 2 product page](https://eggerapps.at/postico2/) - [Postico 2 licences & pricing](https://eggerapps.at/postico2/buy.html) - [TablePlus pricing](https://tableplus.com/pricing) - [TablePlus home](https://tableplus.com/) - [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/) - [Postico vs TablePlus notes](https://postgresgui.com/alternatives/postico-vs-tableplus) ## Related - [TablePlus vs DBeaver Community](https://bundl.run/compare/tableplus-vs-dbeaver) - [Sequel Pro vs TablePlus](https://bundl.run/compare/sequel-pro-vs-tableplus) - [Beekeeper Studio vs TablePlus](https://bundl.run/compare/beekeeper-studio-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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