Is Sequel Pro still maintained in 2026?

Sequel Pro development has been slow — it had significant issues with newer macOS versions and MySQL 8.0 compatibility. The community fork "Sequel Ace" is the actively maintained successor to Sequel Pro for Mac users. DBeaver is actively maintained with regular updates. For new Mac MySQL users, Sequel Ace or TablePlus are better choices than the original Sequel Pro.

Can DBeaver connect to MySQL?

Yes — DBeaver Community Edition fully supports MySQL and MariaDB connections. It supports MySQL 5.x through 8.x with full query editing, schema browsing, and data export. DBeaver also supports MySQL-specific features like stored procedures, triggers, and views. It's one of DBeaver's most commonly used database drivers.

Sequel Pro vs DBeaver (2026): Classic Mac MySQL Tool vs Modern Universal Client

By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 10, 2026

Share:𝕏 in f r/

Quick Answer

DBeaver wins for new users — it's actively maintained, supports MySQL 8.0+ properly, works on Windows/Linux/Mac, and handles 80+ databases. Sequel Pro was a classic choice for Mac MySQL users but has had compatibility issues — consider Sequel Ace (the maintained fork) if you want the same native Mac experience.

Sequel Pro

7.5/10

Classic tool, limited maintenance

DBeaver

8.7/10

Best free cross-platform DB client

Feature Comparison

Feature	Sequel Pro	DBeaver
Pricing	Free (donations welcome)	Free Community; $199/yr Enterprise
Platform	macOS only	Windows, macOS, Linux
Database Support	MySQL/MariaDB only	80+ databases
MySQL 8.0	Compatibility issues	Full support
Active Development	Slow/limited	Regular updates
UI Speed	Fast — native Mac app	Slower — Java/Eclipse
SSH Tunneling	Yes	Yes
Best For	Legacy Mac MySQL users	New users, multi-DB environments

Which do you use?

Sequel Pro

DBeaver

Who Should Choose What?

→ Choose Sequel Pro / Sequel Ace if:

You're on a Mac and exclusively use MySQL/MariaDB. You want the fastest, most native macOS MySQL experience. Use Sequel Ace (the active fork) rather than the original Sequel Pro for better MySQL 8 compatibility. If you've been a Sequel Pro user for years, Sequel Ace is the natural migration path.

→ Choose DBeaver if:

You use MySQL along with other databases. You work across Windows, Mac, and Linux. You need a tool that will receive regular updates and MySQL 8.0 feature support. You want better data export options (Excel, JSON, XML). You're starting fresh and don't have Sequel Pro muscle memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sequel Ace and how does it relate to Sequel Pro?

Sequel Ace is a community fork of Sequel Pro created to continue development after Sequel Pro stagnated. It fixes MySQL 8.0 compatibility issues, supports newer macOS versions including Apple Silicon natively, and is actively maintained. Sequel Ace is available free on the Mac App Store. If you love Sequel Pro's native Mac UI and MySQL focus, Sequel Ace is the recommended upgrade path.

Is DBeaver the best free MySQL tool for Windows?

DBeaver is one of the best free MySQL tools for Windows. MySQL Workbench (official from Oracle) is the other main option — it's more feature-rich for MySQL-specific admin tasks like replication management and performance dashboards, but has a heavier UI. DBeaver is better for daily development use with a faster query editor and multi-database support. For Windows MySQL users choosing between free tools, DBeaver is generally preferred over MySQL Workbench for everyday development.

Editor's Take

Real talk: I've seen teams waste months debating Sequel Pro vs Dbeaver. Both are good. Pick the one that feels right in the first 30 minutes of using it. Your gut is usually correct here.

Get our free SaaS Buyer's Guide (PDF)

Save hours of research. We cover pricing traps, hidden fees, and how to negotiate better deals.

Join 0 SaaS buyers. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Share:𝕏 in f r/

Last updated: April 10, 2026