DB Browser is free and gets the job done. SQLite Gnome costs $19 and feels like a real Mac app. Here's what you're actually trading.
Try SQLite Gnome Free →Where each app wins, loses, and calls it a draw.
| Feature | SQLite Gnome | DB Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Platform & Architecture | ||
| Native macOS app (SwiftUI) | ✓ | ✗ Qt / non-native |
| macOS look, feel & keyboard shortcuts | ✓ | inconsistent |
| Lightweight & fast startup | ✓ | ✗ slow on first launch |
| Windows / Linux support | ✗ | ✓ |
| File Management | ||
| Open .db / .sqlite files | ✓ | ✓ |
| Create new databases | ✓ | ✓ |
| Saved file shortcuts & sidebar groups | ✓ | ✗ |
| Read-only mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| WAL sidecar detection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Open SQLite files over SSH | ✓ | ✗ |
| Table Content & Editing | ||
| Row browsing with paging & sorting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filter builder | ✓ | basic |
| Insert, edit, delete rows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy rows as JSON / INSERT | ✓ | limited |
| Native date / time pickers in editor | ✓ | ✗ |
| Query Editor | ||
| Ad hoc SQL with autocomplete | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple query tabs | ✓ | ✗ single pane |
| Query history | ✓ | basic log only |
| Saved query library | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi-statement script execution | ✓ | ✓ |
| Schema & Structure | ||
| Columns, indexes, foreign keys | ✓ | ✓ |
| STRICT / WITHOUT ROWID metadata | ✓ | ✗ |
| Add / remove columns via UI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Safety & Safeguards | ||
| Automatic backup before risky writes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Destructive query preflight | ✓ | ✗ |
| Read-only mode enforcement | ✓ | ✓ |
| Import & Export | ||
| CSV import into existing tables | ✓ | ✓ |
| SQL file import | ✓ | ✓ |
| Schema export as SQL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pricing | ||
| Cost | $19 once | Free |
| Free trial | ✓ 14 days | n/a |
| Annual renewal | ✗ never | n/a |
Over 3 years, single developer.
| License (forever) | $19 |
| Year 2 renewal | $0 |
| Year 3 renewal | $0 |
| 3-year total | $19 |
| License | $0 |
| Lost time fumbling UI | real |
| Lack of safeguards, one bad DELETE | costly |
| 3-year total | $0 + risk |
If you need Windows or Linux support, DB Browser is a solid free choice. It's also the right call if you're opening a .db file once, never to return — no point paying $19 for a one-off inspection. And if you're on a team recommending tools to non-developers, free removes all friction.
If you're on a Mac and work with SQLite regularly, the difference is felt immediately — fast startup, native scrolling, multiple query tabs, saved queries, and automatic backups before writes. And if your SQLite file lives on a remote server, SQLite Gnome connects over SSH directly; DB Browser can't. Its Qt interface looks like it was designed for a different operating system. Because it was.
DB Browser is the right answer when cost is the only variable. But for Mac developers who live in their SQLite files — local or on a remote host — $19 buys a tool that actually feels like macOS, connects over SSH, and has safeguards that could save you from a very bad afternoon. Try it free for 14 days.
Download free for 14 days →