pgAdmin is free, open source and covers almost every PostgreSQL admin task, from roles to server statistics. If you administer Postgres servers, it is a strong choice and we don't try to replace all of it.
People look for an alternative on Mac mostly for everyday browsing, editing and querying, where a native app feels quicker. That is what Gadwal focuses on.
Where they differ
| Aspect | Gadwal | pgAdmin |
|---|---|---|
| App type | Native SwiftUI, Mac only | Web UI, desktop or server mode, cross-platform |
| Engines | Postgres plus MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, DuckDB, D1, ClickHouse, BigQuery | PostgreSQL |
| Editing rows | Staged, committed together with ⌘S | Saved from the data grid |
| AI access | Built-in local MCP server with per-connection levels and review | Not built in |
| Server administration (roles, stats, maintenance) | Through SQL | Full UI |
| Price | Free tier, trial, one-time unlock | Free |
pgAdmin details as of October 2026. pgAdmin is a trademark of its owners; Gadwal is not affiliated with it.
Using both
Many people keep pgAdmin for administration and use a lighter client day to day. Gadwal connects to the same servers, so nothing changes on the server side.