If you work with PostgreSQL on macOS, you know the landscape of database clients. There are powerful, full-featured options. There are cross-platform tools built with Electron. And then there are the ones that cost more than your database hosting. We wanted something different: a fast, native PostgreSQL GUI for macOS that is open source and free.

That is why we built SequelPG.

Why another PostgreSQL client?

Most existing PostgreSQL clients for Mac fall into one of two categories. Either they are heavyweight applications packed with features for every database engine under the sun, or they are lightweight but missing the basics — like a proper structure browser or an inspector panel.

SequelPG takes a focused approach. It is a postgres client for Mac that does one thing well: giving you a clean, fast interface for browsing schemas, viewing data, and running queries against PostgreSQL databases. No feature bloat. No unnecessary complexity. Just the tools you actually use, every day.

What makes SequelPG different

SequelPG is built specifically for PostgreSQL. It is not a universal database tool trying to support MySQL, SQLite, MongoDB, and everything else. By focusing exclusively on PostgreSQL, we can design the interface, workflows, and features around how PostgreSQL actually works.

It is also genuinely lightweight. The app launches fast, connects fast, and renders query results fast. There is no web engine running under the hood, no bundled browser, and no heavy runtime. This is a native macOS application, and it behaves like one.

And it is open source. The full source code is available on GitHub. You can read the code, build it yourself, report issues, or submit pull requests. This is your postgres database browser as much as it is ours.

Native macOS workflow

SequelPG feels at home on macOS. The interface uses a standard window layout with a sidebar for connections and database navigation. The dark-themed interface follows macOS design conventions — it is not a web page wrapped in a window.

Keyboard shortcuts work as expected. Press Cmd+Enter to run a query. Use the sidebar to switch between databases and schemas. Everything is designed for the kind of fast, focused workflow that macOS developers expect from their tools.

Structure, Content and Query views

The main interface is organized into three tabs: Structure, Content, and Query. This is the core of the SequelPG experience.

Structure shows the schema of the selected table — column names, data types, nullable status, and default values. It is the fastest way to understand what a table looks like without writing any SQL.
Content displays the actual data in a table. Rows are shown in a scrollable grid with pagination. Click any row to inspect its details.
Query gives you a SQL editor where you can write and execute statements. Results appear immediately below the editor. It is designed for quick, iterative work.

Switching between tabs is instant. Select a table from the sidebar, and you can move between Structure, Content, and Query with a single click.

Inspector-driven debugging

One of the features we are most focused on is the Inspector panel. It lives on the right side of the interface and provides context about whatever you have selected.

Select a table, and the Inspector shows its name, approximate row count, and column count. Select a row in the Content view, and the Inspector shows every field with its value, including raw JSON, long text, and timestamps. It is a dedicated space for examining data without squinting at truncated columns in a grid.

For debugging, this is useful. You can browse a table, spot something interesting, click the row, and see the full picture in the Inspector — all without writing a SELECT query or copying values into another tool.

Getting started

SequelPG is available now. You can download the latest release from GitHub or build it from source.

To get started:

Download or clone the repository
Launch the app and create a new connection
Enter your PostgreSQL host, port, database, username, and password
Click Connect and start browsing

The documentation covers connections, each view mode, and the Inspector panel in detail. If you run into issues, please file them on GitHub Issues.

Roadmap

SequelPG is in early development. The current version covers the fundamentals — connections, schema browsing, data viewing, SQL execution, and row inspection. Here is what we are working toward:

Query history and saved queries
Table data export (CSV, JSON)
Schema visualization
Multi-tab query editor
Improved filtering and search in Content view

The project is open source, and the roadmap will evolve based on community feedback. If there is a feature you need, open an issue or contribute directly.

SequelPG is a lightweight postgres GUI built for developers who want a focused, native PostgreSQL experience on macOS. We think the best tools are the ones that get out of your way. That is what we are building.