MySQL Workbench is free and does a lot: visual schema modeling with ER diagrams, server administration and migration wizards. If you design schemas visually, keep using it; Gadwal has no ER diagrams.
If you mostly open tables, fix rows and run queries, a native Mac app can be quicker and calmer. That's Gadwal's job.
Where they differ
| Aspect | Gadwal | MySQL Workbench |
|---|---|---|
| App type | Native SwiftUI, Mac only | Cross-platform desktop app |
| Engines | MySQL and MariaDB plus Postgres, SQLite, DuckDB, D1, ClickHouse, BigQuery | MySQL |
| Editing rows | Staged, committed with ⌘S | Applied from the result grid |
| WordPress tools | WordPress mode, serialized-safe search and replace | No |
| AI access | Local MCP server with per-connection levels and review | Not built in |
| ER diagrams and modeling | No | Yes |
| Price | Free tier, trial, one-time unlock | Free (Community edition) |
MySQL Workbench details as of October 2026. MySQL is a trademark of Oracle; Gadwal is not affiliated with Oracle.