SQLPro Studio vs Beekeeper Studio
Two modern database clients with clean interfaces. Here's how they compare on features, databases, and pricing.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SQLPro Studio | Beekeeper Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Native (Swift/Obj-C) | Electron |
| MySQL / MariaDB | ✓ | ✓ |
| PostgreSQL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microsoft SQL Server | ✓ | ✓ |
| SQLite | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oracle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Snowflake | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amazon Redshift | ✓ | ✓ |
| CockroachDB | ✗ | ✓ |
| Apache Cassandra | ✗ | ✓ |
| macOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| iOS / iPadOS | ✓ | ✗ |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Linux | ✗ | ✓ |
| SSH tunneling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Syntax highlighting & autocomplete | ✓ | ✓ |
| Import from CSV / JSON / SQL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Export to CSV / JSON / XML | ✓ | ✓ |
| Table structure editing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Feels like a Mac app | Yes (native) | No (Electron) |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | SQLPro Studio | Beekeeper Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Free trial | Community Edition (limited) |
| Paid plans | Monthly / Yearly / Lifetime | From $9/month |
| Lifetime / perpetual license | Available | After 12 months |
| Student discount | Yes (free) | Not available |
Native app vs Electron
Beekeeper Studio is built on Electron, which means it is a web application running inside a Chromium browser shell. While the interface looks clean, Electron apps inherit the overhead of a full browser engine: higher memory usage, slower startup, and no true integration with macOS system features like native scroll momentum, system text rendering, or the Services menu.
SQLPro Studio is built with Swift and Objective-C on macOS. It uses AppKit and SwiftUI for its interface, resulting in pixel-perfect macOS behavior: native drag-and-drop, proper keyboard shortcut handling, Spotlight integration, and low memory usage. If you care about your Mac feeling like a Mac, the difference is noticeable.
Database support
Both tools cover the most popular relational databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and SQLite. SQLPro Studio adds Oracle and Snowflake support, which Beekeeper Studio also supports. Beekeeper Studio adds CockroachDB and Apache Cassandra, which SQLPro Studio does not currently support.
For the vast majority of developers working with standard relational databases, both tools have you covered. SQLPro Studio's Oracle support is a differentiator for teams that work in enterprise environments.
Mobile and cross-platform
SQLPro Studio runs on macOS, iOS/iPadOS, and Windows. Beekeeper Studio runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, but has no mobile app. If you need to query a database from your iPad or check on a production issue from your iPhone, SQLPro Studio is the only option between the two.
Both tools support Windows, but SQLPro Studio's Windows version is a native UWP app from the Microsoft Store, while Beekeeper Studio uses Electron on Windows as well.
The Verdict
Choose SQLPro Studio if you want a truly native Mac experience. Beekeeper Studio is built on Electron, which means it's essentially a web app wrapped in a browser shell — it works, but it doesn't feel like a Mac app and uses more memory. SQLPro Studio is built with Swift and Objective-C, so it integrates with macOS naturally: proper keyboard shortcuts, native scroll behavior, and lower resource usage. Plus, SQLPro Studio works on iOS.
Choose Beekeeper Studio if you need Linux support, work with CockroachDB or Cassandra, or want a free community edition for basic use. Beekeeper Studio's open-source community edition is a reasonable option for hobbyists.