Essential Mac Apps

DB Browser for SQLite

Free SQLite database editor for Mac with a spreadsheet-style table browser and a SQL query tab.

Alternative toBaseTablePlus
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DB Browser for SQLite, often called DB4S, is a visual editor for SQLite database files. It shows tables in a spreadsheet-like grid, so you can create and edit a database without learning SQL first.

You can create and compact database files, create, change and delete tables and indexes, and browse, add, edit, delete and search records. Tables import from and export to CSV, and whole databases import from and export to SQL dump files. A SQL tab runs your own queries and shows the results, a log records every SQL command the app runs, and simple plots chart data from a table or query.

It suits developers who need to look inside an app's database, analysts working with SQLite files, and beginners learning how databases are built. The project says it is not meant to replace a spreadsheet app.

DB4S is dual-licensed under MPL-2.0 and GPL-3.0 or later. The Mac download is a universal build for Intel and Apple silicon, and the project lists macOS 10.15 Catalina to 14 Sonoma as tested. The last stable release, 3.13.1, came out in October 2024; nightly builds have continued since.

Frequently asked questions

Is DB Browser for SQLite free?

Yes. DB4S is free with no paid version. The project accepts donations through Patreon.

Is DB Browser for SQLite safe and open source?

Yes, it is open source under MPL-2.0 and GPL-3.0 or later, with its code on GitHub. The last stable release, 3.13.1, is from October 2024. The code is still updated, and nightly and continuous builds are published on GitHub for anyone who needs newer fixes.

How do I install DB Browser for SQLite?

Download the universal DMG from sqlitebrowser.org/dl, or run brew install --cask db-browser-for-sqlite in Terminal.

What macOS version does DB Browser for SQLite need?

The project lists macOS 10.15 Catalina through 14 Sonoma as tested and known to work, and the Homebrew cask sets no minimum. The Mac build is universal, so it runs natively on Apple silicon.

How does DB Browser for SQLite compare to Base?

Base from Menial is a Mac-only SQLite editor. Its free version is feature-limited, a one-off purchase unlocks the rest, and version 3 needs macOS 15. DB4S is free in full, runs on older macOS versions and is also available for Windows and Linux.

Can DB Browser for SQLite import a CSV file?

Yes. DB4S can import a CSV file into a table and export any table back to CSV. It can also import and export a whole database as an SQL dump file.

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