We can't argue that Windows is the key platform for database development and management software, but if you are a Mac user? Who said you can't have equal opportunities to set up easy daily work with, for instance, MySQL databases? Take a closer look, and you'll see plenty of top-tier MySQL tools for your Mac. To make your search easier, we have prepared and reviewed a handy selection for you: most of the following tools with convenient graphical user interfaces definitely rank among the best of their kind.
Before we proceed to our selection, here's a brief general overview of MySQL GUI tools (also called clients). These are software solutions that help you tackle a variety of database development, management, and administration tasks. The exact variety, however, depends on the capabilities of your client. It can be a relatively simple data management solution, or it can be a feature-rich integrated environment that you can employ as an integral part of your DevOps cycle.
See also: How to install MySQL on macOS
As for the clients we have reviewed, they are diverse enough to make sure you will find at least something that perfectly matches your current needs. And, of course, you should pay attention to whether the client of your choice comes with detailed documentation, proper support, and some extra tutorials that will help you get started effectively right away.
To help you navigate the wide range of available tools, we've put together descriptions of the most popular MySQL GUI clients for macOS. For each one, we highlight both the pros and the cons so you can get a clear picture before trying it out.
MySQL IDE dbForge Studio for MySQL is an all-in-one environment that is designed to simplify all routine jobs for database developers and administrators alike. Although the Studio was created as a classic Windows application, it is available on macOS and Linux via a special compatibility solution called CrossOver.
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✅ Integrated AI Assistant with SQL query generation, optimization, and troubleshooting options ✅ Accelerated coding speed with MySQL Editor ✅ Coding-free database development and management based on visual diagrams ✅ Database comparison and synchronization, backup and recovery, data migration, user management, and more ✅ Source Control compatible with all major version control systems, including Git, Mercurial, Apache Subversion, TFVC, Perforce, and others ✅ CLI-powered automation of nearly all tasks ✅ A clean and intuitive visual user interface (GUI) ✅ Multi-channel support and lots of additional materials ✅ Comprehensive documentation with detailed guides on installing dbForge Studio for MySQL on macOS ✅ Free 30-day trial |
❌ Requires CrossOver to work with dbForge Studio for MySQL on macOS; however, the installation and configuration process is rather easy ❌ Advanced functionality is only available in paid editions |
Download dbForge Studio for MySQL
Looking for a way to use dbForge functionality with other DBMSs? Try dbForge Edge, a multi-database solution that covers MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and many other cloud databases, storage, and search engines!
A unified, cross-database IDE that empowers teams to design, develop, and manage multiple database systems from a single workspace.
dbForge Edge is a multi-database solution designed for full-stack database specialists whose daily duties involve handling diverse database management systems. dbForge Edge offers a plethora of features derived from four specialized dbForge Studios (for MySQL/MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, and PostgreSQL), allowing users to manage databases on-premise efficiently and in the cloud, automate tasks, save time, and boost overall productivity using the familiar interfaces of the dedicated Studios.
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✅ Versatile coding assistance for all supported DBMSs with code completion, object suggestions, code debugging, formatting, analysis, syntax validation, snippets, etc. ✅ Visual database, table, and query design ✅ Database comparison and synchronization ✅ Source control integration supporting all popular version control systems ✅ Database administration with server/database monitoring and user management ✅ Data import and export with 14 supported data formats ✅ Test data generation with various data types support ✅ Comprehensive automated database documenting ✅ Task automation via the command-line interface ✅ In-depth product documentation and professional technical support from the vendor ✅ Free 30-day trial |
❌ Native compatibility with Windows only (requires compatibility solutions to work on macOS) ❌ Limited functionality in the free Express edition ❌ Available functionality varies depending on the DBMS |
MySQL Workbench is the default, if not the ultimate, GUI client for MySQL database developers, architects, and analysts. Being compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux, it includes a good selection of database design and administration tools that will definitely simplify your daily work.
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✅ Similar to the previous client, you get tools that help you build queries visually and design databases with ER diagrams of any complexity ✅ Intelligent code completion ✅ Advanced tools for data modeling ✅ All the administration basics are firmly in place, including user management, server configuration and monitoring, database backup and recovery, as well as data migration ✅ Free product with a large community |
❌ The UI is more complex, making even simple tasks, such as data transfer procedures, sophisticated ❌ Excessive resource consumption |
SQLPro is a free (yet with several paid options) MySQL manager for macOS, which enables quick access to tables and views, delivers IntelliSense-like autocompletion, formatting, and syntax highlighting, supports multiple result sets and selection-based query execution, as well as includes a table designer for easy modification of columns, indexes, foreign keys, and triggers.
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✅ Native application ✅ Good-looking, intuitive interface ✅ Easy management of multiple result sets |
❌ Overall, the functionality is quite limited; however, if you don't need an all-encompassing toolkit, consider this option ❌ No documentation |
Sequel Pro is an entirely free and open-source MySQL database manager that delivers the basic functionality for data management. If you need a simple tool to handle queries in multiple MySQL databases, this might be it.
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✅ The simplicity of the interface makes it a nice option for beginners ✅ Easy installation ✅ Convenient import and export of databases |
❌ No autocompletion (which is not that good, considering that the product focuses on writing and executing queries) ❌ Limited functionality ❌ Underdeveloped documentation |
Valentina Studio is a multiplatform GUI tool for easy management of MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, SQLite, PostgreSQL, and (their own) Valentina DB databases. Among the most demanded features are visual query building and database modeling, a simple but functional data editor, a report designer, quick data transfers between source and target tables, schema comparison, and basic database administration.
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✅ Easy handling of multiple database management systems ✅ Convenient navigation and fast data search ✅ Robust report designer with rich capabilities ✅ Decent functionality even in the free edition |
❌ No tech support ❌ Rather underdeveloped documentation |
Now let's get back to more familiar titles. DBeaver is a multiplatform IDE supporting multiple database management systems. It is highly functional, user-friendly, and its Community Edition is available free of charge. The most popular features of DBeaver are the SQL query editor, visual query builder, database comparison tools, test data generator, and ER diagrams. Besides, the DBeaver's team helps it evolve rather actively. If you are a demanding user, you definitely should explore this option.
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✅ Multi-user environment with flexible access management ✅ Advanced data editor ✅ Visual query builder is a proven solution for those who prefer to handle queries on diagrams ✅ Customizable management of result sets ✅ Flexible comparison of database objects with a diverse presentation of results ✅ Dummy data generation ✅ Full documentation |
❌ No support service in the free edition ❌ Weak data visualization functionality ❌ Complicated data import and export procedures |
Querious is a macOS-only commercial GUI client for MySQL and compatible databases. Under a clean interface, you will find a solution with moderately strong querying capabilities and a fine selection of tools for database object editing, server management, and easily configurable database structure comparison.
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✅ Native macOS experience with good, stable performance ✅ Autocompletion, formatting, and syntax highlighting for convenient querying ✅ Editors for all types of database objects ✅ Rich administration and server management tools ✅ Support service ✅ Very affordable solution with a free 30-day trial |
❌ Moderately capable but not an all-in-one solution; however, the long trial period gives you time to explore ❌ No documentation |
TablePlus is a nice-looking multiplatform GUI tool that helps you work with data in numerous database systems. However, please take note that the main killer feature of TablePlus is its sharp query editor with syntax highlighting, instant autocompletion, SQL formatting, and data editing features. The rest depends on whether it is your focus as well.
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✅ Clean and simple user interface ✅ Smooth native experience on each platform ✅ Good documentation ✅ Paid license is relatively affordable |
❌ Functionality is well-aligned to SQL queries and data editing, but limited in other aspects |
RazorSQL is an easy-to-use SQL query tool that has been tested on over 40 database management systems, including MySQL. Its key features comprise a handy database browser, visual database tools, SQL query builder, SQL editor, as well as data import, export, and comparison functionality.
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✅ One of the more full-featured entries on the list ✅ Huge database system coverage ✅ Well-designed user interface ✅ Visual tools that help create, alter, describe, execute, and drop database objects ✅ Multi-tabular display of queries with filtering, sorting, searching, and other operations ✅ CLI support ✅ Detailed documentation ✅ Free 30-day trial |
❌ Although RazorSQL offers many features, users must verify whether each of them is advanced enough for their specific needs |
Navicat is a universal database development and administration solution that supports most of the popular database management systems and cloud platforms. With its help, you can easily design and manage entire databases and specific database objects, migrate data, compare and synchronize your databases, build queries, and perform reverse engineering.
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✅ Well-designed GUI ✅ Convenient database object designer ✅ Good SQL editor ✅ Visual database design and modeling ✅ Robust database comparison functionality ✅ Handy task automation capabilities (comparable only to those of dbForge Studio for MySQL) |
❌ It's a rather pricey solution ❌ The 14-day trial is relatively short for an IDE ❌ The documentation could use some expansion |
DataGrip is a smart subscription-based IDE for numerous database tasks. It equips database developers, administrators, and analysts with a multitude of integrated tools that help them work with queries and deliver flexible management of database objects.
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✅ Wide range of supported database management systems ✅ Intelligent suggestions and refactoring ✅ Version control integration ✅ Efficient navigation ✅ Integrated data connectors ✅ Extensive documentation with tutorials ✅ Free 30-day trial |
❌ Complicated learning curve ❌ Excessive resource consumption |
Now let's proceed to something more straightforward, but interesting nonetheless. Beekeeper Studio is a free and open-source GUI-based database manager and SQL code editor for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and SQL Server databases. The creators of the Studio focused on making it as user-friendly and simple as possible. You can take a look at it if your primary work involves queries and doesn't go far beyond them.
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✅ Simple user interface ✅ SQL editor with autocompletion and syntax highlighting ✅ Searchable query history ✅ SSL encryption of connections |
❌ Limited functionality (it is an editor, not an IDE) ❌ No support service ❌ No documentation |
DbVisualizer is a smart and well-focused SQL editor and database manager, marketed as a database client with the highest customer satisfaction rating on G2. It is a valuable solution that enables you to work with SQL code, access and explore your databases, and manipulate data. DbVisualizer is available in Free and Pro editions.
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✅ Good-looking user interface ✅ Huge database system coverage ✅ Advanced SQL editor with automatic formatting and suggestions ✅ SSH data encryption and secure access ✅ Good customization ✅ CLI support |
❌ Sophisticated navigation for beginners ❌ It can be slow at times ❌ It is a bit expensive for the set of features it delivers |
The last huge name on our list is Microsoft's Azure Data Studio. It is a cross-platform tool for data professionals who use on-premises and cloud data platforms on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Although SQL Server is the key DBMS for Azure Data Studio, you can use a special extension to connect to MySQL databases as well. The Studio delivers a modern editor experience with IntelliSense completion, code snippets, source control integration, an integrated terminal, built-in charting of query result sets, and customizable dashboards.
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✅ Clean and intuitive interface that takes the cue from Microsoft Visual Studio ✅ A pretty hefty set of features for a free product ✅ Seamless integration with Azure data services ✅ Some extensions give access to new features and additional services ✅ Excellent documentation, support, and a large community |
❌ Although Azure Data Studio is an advanced product, some IDEs boast a more in-depth approach ❌ Azure Data Studio is officially retired on February 28, 2026 |
Finally, let's have an overview of DbGate - a free, cross-platform, and cross-database GUI client that covers both SQL-based and NoSQL systems. It allows connecting to multiple databases, browsing and editing table schemas and actual data, writing SQL queries with autocompletion, building queries visually, as well as creating ER diagrams, charts, and maps based on your data. Treat it as a straightforward database manager for macOS users whose requirements stick to the basics.
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✅ A nice set of features for a free tool ✅ Support for multiple databases (including NoSQL) ✅ The available import/export formats can be expanded with custom plugins |
❌ None of the available features can compete with the more advanced entries on this list |
Have a look at the comparison of popular MySQL GUI client applications available for macOS. The table highlights key features such as the availability of a free version, multiplatform support, quality of customer support, and user-friendly interface, helping you quickly evaluate which client best suits your needs.
| Client | Free version available | Multiplatform support | Customer support | User-friendly interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dbForge Studio for MySQL | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| dbForge Edge | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| MySQL Workbench | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| SQLPro | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sequel Pro | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Valentina Studio | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| DBeaver | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Querious | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| TablePlus | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| RazorSQL | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Navicat | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| DataGrip | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Beekeeper Studio | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| DbVisualizer | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Azure Data Studio | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| DbGate | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Still unsure which client is the most suitable for you? That's all right. At least now you can outline your needs and requirements more precisely, and take note of the pros and cons that can determine your final choice. Whether you are a MySQL newcomer or a seasoned expert, let us reiterate the importance of comprehensive documentation, active community, reliable technical support, and the availability of extra materials that will teach you how to deal with basic tasks most effectively.
I'm a technical content writer who loves breaking complex tech topics into clear and helpful content that's enjoyable to read. With a solid writing background and growing skill in software development and database tools, I create content that's accurate, easy to follow, and genuinely useful. When I'm not writing, you'll probably find me learning something new or sweating it out at the gym.
