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Desktop phpMyAdmin Alternative for Mac.
phpMyAdmin is a free GPL-licensed PHP web app for MySQL and MariaDB. The current release (5.2.x as of late 2025) ships with most cPanel hosts. It's a recurring CVE target when exposed publicly. TablePro is a desktop client. SSH-tunnel through your existing server access; no public web surface.
| Feature | TablePro | phpMyAdmin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | Included | GPL |
| Type | Desktop app | Web app (PHP) |
| Install Location | Your Mac | Server (PHP runtime) |
| Technology | Native (SwiftUI) | PHP + JavaScript |
| Auth Method | SSH tunnel + native | Web cookie session |
| Public Attack Surface | None | Yes (web exposed) |
| Databases | 29 | MySQL & MariaDB |
| PostgreSQL Support | Included | Not included |
| MongoDB Support | Included | Not included |
| AI Assistant | Included | Not included |
| iOS App | Included | Browser |
| iCloud Sync | Included | Not included |
| SSH Tunneling | Included | Not included |
| Inline Editing | Included | Included |
| Native macOS UX | Included | Not included |
Benchmarks
The numbers.
Cold start
RAM idle
Download size
Summary
Strengths of each.
TablePro
- No public web surface to attack
- SSH-tunneled, not /phpmyadmin?token=...
- Native macOS UX with Touch ID and dark mode
- 29 databases, not just MySQL
- AI SQL assistant
- iOS app with iCloud sync
phpMyAdmin
- Pre-installed on most cPanel hosts
- Browser-based, works on any device
- 20+ years of MySQL feature coverage
- Free and open source (GPL)
Migration
Switch from phpMyAdmin.
- 1
Install TablePro on your Mac
brew install --cask tablepro. Nothing to install on the server.
- 2
Add an SSH-tunneled connection
New Connection > MySQL. Fill DB credentials. Open the SSH tab and add your bastion or server credentials.
- 3
Block /phpmyadmin in nginx
Once TablePro works, deny public access to /phpmyadmin in nginx or Apache. SSH tunneling replaces it.
TablePro
See it in action.
Decision
Which one is right for you?
Choose TablePro if...
you ssh to your servers and want a real desktop client.
Choose phpMyAdmin if...
you only have browser access to your server (no SSH) or use shared hosting.
Verdict
The short answer.
phpMyAdmin is the default on shared hosts. TablePro is the safer, faster choice when SSH is on the table.
FAQ
Common questions.
Why move from phpMyAdmin?
Two reasons: security (phpMyAdmin is a recurring CVE target when exposed) and UX (a real desktop app beats a web form). If you can SSH, you can stop exposing /phpmyadmin.
Does TablePro need a server install?
No. TablePro runs on your Mac. Connects to MySQL directly or through SSH.
Can I tunnel through a bastion?
Yes. Password, key, or agent. Jump hosts and custom ports work.
Will I lose phpMyAdmin features?
Core ones, no: SQL editor, table browser, structure editor, import/export, query history. Some niche features (designer view, GIS plot) aren't in TablePro yet.
Is TablePro free like phpMyAdmin?
Yes. AGPLv3 open source.
Try TablePro for free.
Free and open source. macOS 14+, Apple Silicon and Intel. No account.