At a glance
| Supported databases | MySQL 5.7 or later, MariaDB 10.0 or later |
| Query editor | Custom query view with favourites, tab triggers and snippets; run all or the current query |
| Data import and export | Import SQL and CSV; export SQL, CSV, XML, HTML, PDF and dot |
| SSH and connection security | SSH tunnels, SSL/TLS, AWS IAM tokens, HashiCorp Vault credentials; passwords in Keychain |
| Deployment | Native macOS app (13.5 or later, Intel and Apple silicon) from the Mac App Store or GitHub |
| Licensing | Free and open source, MIT licence |
Sequel Ace is the obvious free choice for Mac users who work only with MySQL or MariaDB and want a native app with SSH tunnels, query favourites and CSV or SQL import and export. It is actively released (6.1.0 in October 2026), but it covers no other engines and has no schema compare, so teams with mixed databases will need a multi-engine client.
Overview
Sequel Ace is a database management app for macOS that works with MySQL and MariaDB. It grew out of Sequel Pro, the earlier free Mac client, and its documentation includes a guide to moving saved connections across from Sequel Pro. The project requires macOS 13.5 or later, runs on Intel and Apple silicon, and supports MySQL 5.7 or later and MariaDB 10.0 or later; archived builds remain available for older macOS versions.
Because it is distributed through the Mac App Store, Sequel Ace runs inside the macOS sandbox. Its documentation explains the effects: socket files outside the app container cannot be reached, and SSH settings from ~/.ssh/config must be selected in Preferences. Recent releases add a built-in MCP server, off by default, that lets AI agents run read-only queries through saved connections.
Key features
- Connection types for standard TCP/IP, local socket, SSH tunnel, AWS IAM authentication for RDS and Aurora, and HashiCorp Vault credentials
- SSL/TLS encryption for MySQL connections; AWS IAM connections always use TLS
- Query editor with run-all and run-current-query shortcuts, query favourites, tab triggers and snippets
- Export to SQL, CSV, XML, HTML, PDF and Graphviz dot, plus import from SQL and CSV files with field mapping
- Saved connection favourites with passwords stored in the macOS Keychain, and mysql:// URLs to open connections
- Optional built-in MCP server bound to localhost, read-only by default, for AI agent access
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free with no paid tier and an MIT licence
- Native macOS app with Apple silicon support
- Regular releases: 6.0.0 in September 2026 and 6.1.0 in October 2026
- Direct upgrade path from Sequel Pro, including saved connections
Cons
- macOS only, and needs macOS 13.5 or later for current versions
- MySQL and MariaDB only
- App sandbox limits socket connections and some SSH agent and ProxyCommand setups
- No documented schema comparison or data synchronisation
Pricing
Sequel Ace is free and open source under the MIT licence. It is distributed through the Mac App Store and GitHub releases; a Homebrew cask exists but the project describes it as unofficial and community maintained. There is no paid edition.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Mac users, including former Sequel Pro users, who work with MySQL or MariaDB and want a free native client.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs PostgreSQL, SQL Server or other engines in the same app: see database tools for Mac.
- Windows or Linux users: see MySQL GUI tools.
Verdict
Sequel Ace is a well-maintained free Mac client that does one job, MySQL and MariaDB work, with sensible connection security options. Its limits are scope rather than quality: it is Mac only, covers two engines, and leaves schema comparison and modelling to other tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sequel Ace the same as Sequel Pro?
Sequel Ace continues the Sequel Pro code base as a separate, actively released project. Its documentation explains how to move saved Sequel Pro connections into Sequel Ace.
Which macOS version does Sequel Ace need?
Sequel Ace 6 requires macOS 13.5 (Ventura) or later on Intel or Apple silicon. The project keeps earlier releases for older macOS versions.
Can Sequel Ace connect to Amazon RDS?
Yes. Besides standard and SSH connections, Sequel Ace documents an AWS IAM connection type for RDS and Aurora MySQL that generates a short-lived token instead of a password and always uses TLS.
Sources
- Sequel Ace website and documentation
- Sequel Ace: connection types
- Sequel Ace: MCP server
- Sequel Ace GitHub repository
- Sequel Ace releases
Checked November 2026.
How we research reviews and what star ratings mean: our editorial method.