Developer tools
Mac Developer Data Tools: TablePlus and Transmit
A two-app comparison for developers choosing between a Mac database workspace and remote-file transfer.
Direct answer
Which app fits which job?
Choose by the resource in front of you: TablePlus is for supported database connections, schema and row inspection, and queries; Transmit is for browsing and moving files on supported remote services. These are complementary tasks, not competing substitutes. Check the separate requirements, purchase details, and cautions before using a real data source or destination.
This answer is limited to the reviewed members below. It is a workflow comparison, not a market-wide ranking.
Included in this review
Open any app page for its complete verified facts and official links.
Current membership
Reviewed apps at a glance
TablePlus
Developer Tools
TablePlus is a native database client for Mac users who want a single desktop workspace for connecting to several database systems without moving among vendor-specific tools.
Transmit
Developer Tools
Transmit is Panic's macOS file-transfer client for people who regularly move files between a Mac and hosted servers or cloud storage.
Reviewed facts
Workflow and buying comparison
Compare the first reviewed workflow and primary caution for every member. Open an app page for complete facts and verification sources.
| App | Workflow fit | Price and purchase | Minimum macOS | Apple Silicon | Intel | Primary caution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TablePlus | Open a development database connection, inspect a schema, and run a focused SQL query without leaving the same workspace. | Free limited trial; paid perpetual Basic, Standard, and Team licensesfreemium perpetual | macOS 10.13 or later | Supported | Supported | The free trial is limited to two opened tabs, two opened windows, and two advanced filters; filters are unavailable on the free tier according to the current pricing page. |
Transmit | Open a saved SFTP or FTP connection to upload a prepared site build while keeping local and remote folders visible together. | Direct US $45 one-time unlock; US Mac App Store $24.99/yearone time or subscription | macOS 13.0 or later | Supported | Supported | The current Panic download is a full version that works for seven days; continued direct use requires buying an unlock code, currently listed at $45 plus tax per copy. |
Source disclosure
Official sources checked for this comparison
This guide is an official-source summary and editorial workflow comparison. No installation, hands-on use, benchmark, or production operation was performed. The source links below were checked on 2026-10-07 for the described workflows only; pricing, compatibility, distribution, and other details in the generated comparison table retain their own field-specific dates and scopes on the app pages. The guide remains limited to TablePlus and Transmit and is not a market-wide ranking.
Reading notes
How to use this comparison
Choose by the resource you need to work with
TablePlus is a desktop workspace for supported database connections, where a developer can inspect schemas or rows and run queries. Transmit is a remote-file client for supported servers and cloud services. Start with whether the task is about database records or files; the tools can support different stages of one project, but one does not replace the other.
When database access is the task
Use TablePlus when you need to connect to a supported database, inspect its structure or records, or run a query. Confirm that the target engine and connection method are supported. For exploratory work, use a development or least-privileged account; a graphical client cannot decide whether a production change is appropriate.
When remote files are the task
Use Transmit when the job involves browsing or moving files between a Mac and a supported remote destination. Confirm the service, protocol, and authentication method first. Test a first write or sync against a non-critical folder, and verify the destination before relying on overwrite behavior.
Compare the constraints separately
The generated comparison table summarizes each app’s reviewed workflow, price and purchase model, minimum macOS, processor support, and primary caution. These details are app- and channel-specific. Open each app page to check its field-scoped source dates and current terms before buying or connecting an important system.
Scope and adjacent developer tools
This guide includes only the two current reviewed members, TablePlus and Transmit. It is not a market-wide best-of list. For adjacent jobs, the Developer Tools category links to Nova for code and project work, Tower for Git, and OrbStack for local containers and Linux; those tools are complementary examples, not added to this two-app comparison.