Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SequelPG — pricing, requirements, privacy, features, and how it compares to other PostgreSQL clients on macOS.

What is SequelPG?
SequelPG is a free, open-source PostgreSQL GUI and SQL client for macOS. It is a lightweight native application built with SwiftUI and AppKit, designed as an alternative to pgAdmin, TablePlus, and Postico.
Is SequelPG free?
Yes. SequelPG is open source under the MIT license and free to use. There is no paid tier, no trial, no upsell, and no telemetry.
Is SequelPG a company product?
No. SequelPG is a personal open-source side project maintained by Mykhailo (Michael) Shumilov. It is not commercial software and is not backed by a company.
What macOS version is required?
SequelPG requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later. It is built with modern SwiftUI APIs including the native Table grid and @Observable.
Which PostgreSQL versions does SequelPG support?
SequelPG works with all currently supported PostgreSQL major versions (13 through 18). It speaks the standard PostgreSQL wire protocol and uses libpq-compatible binary decoding for built-in types.
How is SequelPG different from pgAdmin?
SequelPG is a native macOS app, not a browser-based interface. It focuses on day-to-day developer workflows — schema browsing, SQL editing, row inspection, SSH tunneling — instead of full administrative coverage. pgAdmin remains stronger for deep server administration tasks.
How is SequelPG different from TablePlus?
TablePlus is a polished closed-source commercial app supporting many databases. SequelPG is open source under MIT, free without a row limit, PostgreSQL-only, and built natively in SwiftUI/AppKit.
How is SequelPG different from Postico?
Postico is a paid closed-source macOS app focused on PostgreSQL. SequelPG covers the same core use cases — schema browsing, content viewing, SQL editing — and adds an explicit object CRUD layer, roles/privileges browser, query history with redaction, and a curated SQL function library, all under an open-source license.
Does SequelPG support SSL?
Yes. SequelPG supports every PostgreSQL SSL mode: Disable, Allow, Prefer, Require, Verify-CA, and Verify-Full.
Can I connect through an SSH tunnel?
Yes. SequelPG has built-in SSH tunnel support with both key file and password authentication. Configure it directly in the connection form. SequelPG uses the system ssh binary under the hood for local port forwarding.
Where are my passwords stored?
All credentials are stored in the macOS Keychain on your device. Database passwords and SSH passwords are kept in separate Keychain items. No credentials are ever transmitted off-device.
Does SequelPG send any telemetry?
No. SequelPG does not collect, transmit, or store any analytics, usage statistics, or crash reports. The app runs entirely on your local machine.
Does the SQL editor support syntax highlighting and autocompletion?
Yes. The editor highlights SQL keywords, strings, comments, numbers, and operators with adaptive colors for light and dark mode. It autocompletes from SQL keywords plus your live database metadata (schemas, tables, columns). A Beautify button formats your query and auto-quotes mixed-case identifiers for PostgreSQL compatibility.
Can I edit rows directly?
Yes. The Content view allows inline cell editing with a single click, and a type-aware Inspector field editor handles JSON, arrays, booleans, and other complex types. You can insert new rows and delete existing records as well.
Can I run functions and procedures?
Yes. SequelPG has a dedicated Run/Call sheet for functions and procedures from the navigator with per-argument Value / Expression / NULL / DEFAULT modes, named-argument SQL generation, and an inline result pane that reshapes for scalar, set-returning, and procedure calls.
Does SequelPG support multiple simultaneous connections?
Yes. Each connection opens in its own iTerm2-style tab, and you can have multiple databases open at once.
Where do I download SequelPG?
Pre-built releases are published on GitHub at https://github.com/mihailShumilov/SequelPG/releases. You can also build from source — see the Download page for details.
Is SequelPG production-ready?
SequelPG is in active development and already usable for day-to-day PostgreSQL work. Each release adds substantial features; check the release notes on GitHub for the latest version.
How do I report bugs or request features?
On GitHub Issues at https://github.com/mihailShumilov/SequelPG/issues. You can also reach the maintainer via the Contact page. Contributions via pull request are welcome.
How can I contribute?
Bug reports, feature requests, and pull requests are all welcome. See the Open Source page for contribution details and links to the repository.