Sequel Ace — Fast MySQL & MariaDB Client for macOS

Introduction

Sequel Ace is the community-driven successor to the beloved Sequel Pro, a native macOS database client for MySQL and MariaDB. After Sequel Pro's development stalled, Sequel Ace picked up the codebase, fixed critical bugs, and added modern macOS compatibility while keeping the fast, intuitive interface developers loved.

What Sequel Ace Does

• Connects to MySQL and MariaDB servers locally or over SSH tunnels
• Browses tables, views, procedures, and triggers with a native macOS UI
• Edits data inline with auto-completion and syntax-highlighted SQL editing
• Exports and imports data in SQL, CSV, XML, and other formats
• Manages user privileges, indexes, and foreign keys visually

Architecture Overview

Sequel Ace is a native Cocoa application written in Objective-C. It uses the MySQL C client library for direct database connections and supports SSH tunneling through the system's OpenSSH. The query editor uses a custom syntax-highlighting engine optimized for large result sets and streaming query execution.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Available free on the Mac App Store or via Homebrew Cask
• Connections stored in macOS Keychain for secure credential management
• Supports SSH key authentication and jump-host tunneling
• Configurable query timeout, encoding, and SSL/TLS settings
• Favorites and connection groups for organizing multiple servers

Key Features

• Native macOS app with fast, responsive Cocoa interface
• SSH tunnel support with key-based authentication
• Inline data editing with content filters and hex display
• Query favorites, history, and auto-completion
• Free and open source under MIT license

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Sequel Pro — the original project, now unmaintained; Sequel Ace is its active fork
• DBeaver — cross-platform and supports many databases; Sequel Ace is macOS-native and faster for MySQL
• TablePlus — polished UI but proprietary with paid license; Sequel Ace is free
• MySQL Workbench — official Oracle tool, heavier with modeling features; Sequel Ace is lighter
• DataGrip — JetBrains IDE-grade tool, paid; Sequel Ace is focused and free

FAQ

Q: Is Sequel Ace a fork of Sequel Pro? A: Yes. The Sequel Ace team forked Sequel Pro to continue development after the original project became inactive.

Q: Does it support PostgreSQL or other databases? A: No. Sequel Ace is focused on MySQL and MariaDB only.

Q: Is it really free? A: Yes. Sequel Ace is MIT-licensed and free on the Mac App Store with no in-app purchases.

Q: Can I connect over SSH? A: Yes. Sequel Ace supports SSH tunnel connections with password or key-based authentication.

Sources

• https://github.com/Sequel-Ace/Sequel-Ace
• https://sequel-ace.com