SQLPro Studio vs Sequel Pro
Sequel Pro was a favorite MySQL client for Mac, but it hasn't had a stable release since 2016 and can't connect to modern MySQL 8 servers. Here's how SQLPro Studio compares as an actively maintained alternative.
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Feature Comparison
| Feature | SQLPro Studio | Sequel Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Actively maintained (updated in 2026) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Connects to MySQL 8 (caching_sha2_password) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Supported on current macOS (Sonoma / Sequoia) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Apple Silicon native | ✓ | ✗ |
| MySQL / MariaDB | ✓ | ✓ |
| PostgreSQL | ✓ | ✗ |
| Microsoft SQL Server | ✓ | ✗ |
| SQLite | ✓ | ✗ |
| Oracle | ✓ | ✗ |
| iOS / iPadOS | ✓ | ✗ |
| Windows | ✓ | ✗ |
| SSH tunneling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Syntax highlighting & autocomplete | ✓ | ✓ |
| Import from CSV / SQL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✗ |
| Email support & active bug fixes | ✓ | ✗ |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | SQLPro Studio | Sequel Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Trial, subscription, or lifetime | Free (open source) |
| Free trial | Yes | N/A (free) |
| Lifetime / perpetual license | Yes, updates forever | N/A |
| Student discount | Yes (one year free) | N/A |
| Ongoing development | Active | Stopped (last stable 2016) |
Why Sequel Pro users are switching
Sequel Pro is one of the most-loved MySQL clients ever made for the Mac, and for years it was the default choice for anyone working with MySQL. But its last stable release, version 1.1.2, shipped in 2016, and active development has effectively stopped. The biggest practical problem: Sequel Pro cannot connect to MySQL 8 servers that use the default caching_sha2_password authentication plugin. If you have upgraded a server (or spun up a new one) and Sequel Pro suddenly refuses to connect, this is almost always why.
SQLPro Studio is built and maintained today. It connects to MySQL 5.x and 8.x out of the box, including modern authentication, TLS, and cloud-hosted databases like Amazon RDS, Google Cloud SQL, and Azure. It is a native, Apple Silicon app that is tested against the current macOS release, so it keeps working as Sequel Pro slowly stops.
Beyond MySQL
Sequel Pro is MySQL and MariaDB only. If your work has grown to include PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite, or Oracle, you end up juggling multiple tools. SQLPro Studio connects to all of them from a single native app, with the same interface and keyboard shortcuts across every database engine, so you learn one tool instead of five.
On your Mac, iPad, and iPhone
Sequel Pro is a macOS-only desktop app. SQLPro Studio adds a full iOS and iPadOS app that shares connections through iCloud Keychain, so you can check a production database from your phone or run a quick query on your iPad. On the desktop it stays fast and native, with dark mode, multiple result sets, and table structure editing.
The Verdict
If Sequel Pro still connects to your servers and you only use MySQL, it remains a capable free tool. But it is no longer maintained, and the moment you touch a MySQL 8 server with default authentication, a newer macOS release, or a second database engine, it stops keeping up.
Choose SQLPro Studio if you want a Sequel Pro successor that is actively developed, connects to modern MySQL 8, runs natively on Apple Silicon and current macOS, supports every major database, and comes with real support behind it. There is a free trial, so you can migrate your connections and try it before deciding.