SQLPro for MySQL vs MySQL Workbench
A fast, native Mac MySQL client vs Oracle's free cross-platform tool.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SQLPro for MySQL | MySQL Workbench |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Native macOS | Cross-platform (not native) |
| Startup time | Fast (< 1 second) | Slower |
| Price | From $5.99/mo, $129.99 lifetime | Free |
| MySQL and MariaDB | ✓ | ✓ |
| macOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| iOS / iPadOS app | ✓ | ✗ |
| Windows / Linux | ✗ | ✓ |
| SSH tunneling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Autocomplete | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple result sets side by side | ✓ | ✗ |
| Visual EER data modeling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Server administration dashboards | ✗ | ✓ |
| Schema migration wizard | ✗ | ✓ |
| iCloud Keychain sync | ✓ | ✗ |
| Import from CSV / JSON / SQL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ |
Native Mac app vs cross-platform tool
MySQL Workbench is Oracle's official MySQL tool. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux from a single cross-platform codebase, which means its interface does not follow native macOS conventions and can feel heavier and less responsive on the Mac. Some users also report stability and rendering issues with Workbench on newer macOS releases.
SQLPro for MySQL is built specifically for the Mac. It launches in under a second, follows macOS conventions, integrates with iCloud Keychain, and has a companion iPhone and iPad app, so your connections travel with you. If your MySQL work happens on a Mac, that native experience is the main reason to choose it.
Depth of features vs everyday simplicity
MySQL Workbench is feature-rich. It includes visual EER data modeling, server administration and performance dashboards, and a schema migration wizard. If you regularly design schemas visually or administer servers, those tools are genuinely useful and free.
SQLPro for MySQL focuses on the day-to-day work most developers actually do: connecting, writing queries with autocomplete, viewing multiple result sets side by side, and editing data inline. It trades Workbench's modeling and admin breadth for a faster, simpler querying and editing experience.
Pricing
MySQL Workbench is free, which is a real advantage if budget is the deciding factor. SQLPro for MySQL is a paid app, from $5.99/month or $129.99 for a lifetime macOS license, with a free trial and a free one-year license for students. What you pay for is the native Mac and iOS experience, active commercial support, and a lighter, faster interface.
The verdict
Choose MySQL Workbench if you want a free, feature-heavy tool and need visual data modeling or server administration, and don't mind a non-native interface. Choose SQLPro for MySQL if you work primarily on a Mac and want a fast, native app for everyday querying and editing, with an iOS companion app included.