TablePlus is a beautiful multi-database tool that happens to support SQLite. SQLite Gnome is built exclusively for SQLite. Here's what that difference actually means.
Try SQLite Gnome Free →Where each app wins, loses, and calls it a draw.
| Feature | SQLite Gnome | TablePlus |
|---|---|---|
| Platform & Architecture | ||
| Native macOS app | ✓ | ✓ |
| No Electron | ✓ | ✓ |
| SQLite-only focus | ✓ | ✗ multi-engine |
| Windows support | ✗ | ✓ |
| File Management | ||
| Open .db / .sqlite files | ✓ | ✓ |
| Saved file shortcuts & sidebar groups | ✓ | ✗ |
| Read-only mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| WAL sidecar detection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Open SQLite files over SSH | ✓ | tunnels only (server DBs) |
| Table Content & Editing | ||
| Row browsing with paging & sorting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filter builder | ✓ | free trial blocked |
| Save & reuse table filters | ✓ | ✗ |
| Insert, edit, delete rows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy rows as JSON / INSERT | ✓ | ✓ |
| Native date / time pickers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Query Editor | ||
| Multiple query tabs | ✓ | 2 tabs on free tier |
| Query history | ✓ | ✓ |
| Saved query library | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto safety LIMIT on bare SELECTs | ✓ | ✗ |
| 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 | ✓ | basic |
| SQL file import | ✓ | ✓ |
| Schema export as SQL | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trial & Pricing | ||
| Free trial | ✓ 14 days, full features | capped at 2 tabs/windows |
| Base purchase price | $19 | $99 |
| Annual renewal to keep updates | ✗ never | $59/device/yr |
| Extra device fee | ✗ none | $79/device |
Over 3 years, on 2 Macs.
| License (2 Macs) | $19 |
| Year 2 renewal | $0 |
| Year 3 renewal | $0 |
| 3-year total | $19 |
| Basic license (1 device) | $99 |
| Extra device fee | $79 |
| Year 2 + Year 3 renewals (2 devices) | $236 |
| 3-year total | $414 |
If you're constantly switching between SQLite, Postgres, MySQL, and other databases in the same workflow, TablePlus is a genuinely excellent unified client. The polish is real. It's just not SQLite-first — and at $99+ with annual renewals, you're paying a premium for breadth you may not need.
If SQLite is your primary database and you're on macOS, SQLite Gnome undercuts TablePlus on price by 3–14x over time and goes deeper on SQLite-specific features — SSH access to remote SQLite files, automatic backups, WAL detection, STRICT table metadata, saved file groups, and safety preflight checks. TablePlus has SSH tunneling but only for server databases, not SQLite files.
TablePlus is beautiful and worth it if you're a multi-database user. But if SQLite is your world — local files or remote SSH — you're paying generalist prices for specialist work. SQLite Gnome does SQLite better, costs less on day one, and costs nothing after. Try it free for 14 days.
Download free for 14 days →