Wanted: local database app for macOS

[SalisburySam]

I'd appreciate any suggestions or cautions about database software for my iMac. I've previously used PC's and products like MS-Access, Paradox, dBaseII (yeah, I'm old), PC-Focus, and the like but am looking for something to run natively on my iMac. Never have used FileMaker or Bento.

Desire to avoid: high licensing costs, subscriptions, and cloud-based (e.g., FileMaker, Knack)

Needs: small but useful personal databases for things like charity donor management, mail merges, HOA membership info mostly, all with less than about 500 records each. Currently doing all in Excel/Numbers but would like to migrate to something easier to manage and more robust, hence the database software.

Quick online search reveals at least two contenders: iDatabase ($25) and Ninox ($35). Anyone care to share their thoughts having used either or both? Other contenders to consider?

TIA!

 

[NoBoMac]

MacOS comes with sqlite baked in. There are some GUI tools out there for sqlite, so, maybe one of them might work.

I've only poked around in Apple databases using command line vs creating my own, so not sure how good some of these GUI tools are.

 

[SalisburySam]

MacOS comes with sqlite baked in. There are some GUI tools out there for sqlite, so, maybe one of them might work.

I've only poked around in Apple databases using command line vs creating my own, so not sure how good some of these GUI tools are.

Thanks, great suggestion and I’d forgotten about sqlite. So, more research now…

 

[rpmurray]

MySQL has a free version. Couple that with Querious 3 ($49 license, has a free trial).

When you click on the MySQL link above, click the Download MySQL Community Edition link and then MySQL Community Server to get the MacOS downloads. There's also a link to earlier versions if you aren't on Bug Sur or Catalina, just click the Archives tab.

 

[sracer]

I'd appreciate any suggestions or cautions about database software for my iMac. I've previously used PC's and products like MS-Access, Paradox, dBaseII (yeah, I'm old), PC-Focus, and the like but am looking for something to run natively on my iMac. Never have used FileMaker or Bento.

Desire to avoid: high licensing costs, subscriptions, and cloud-based (e.g., FileMaker, Knack)

Needs: small but useful personal databases for things like charity donor management, mail merges, HOA membership info mostly, all with less than about 500 records each. Currently doing all in Excel/Numbers but would like to migrate to something easier to manage and more robust, hence the database software.

Quick online search reveals at least two contenders: iDatabase ($25) and Ninox ($35). Anyone care to share their thoughts having used either or both? Other contenders to consider?

TIA!

Are you looking for a relational or flat-file database solution? I don't have any first-hand experience with iDatabase, but it sounds like the informal successor to Bento... both of which are flat-file. The thing that would be helpful to know would be the export options are available.

Flat-file databases have fallen out of favor over the last 20 years, so I ended up creating customized Google Sheets with pull-down data fields to manage my data....rather than get stuck with another orphaned product.

 

[rpmurray]

If you get overwhelmed by the SQL databases there's also Tap Forms 5. I haven't used it myself but in other threads some have recommended it.

 

[Big Bad D]

Ninox is another good option.

 

[ssmed]

4D is the way to go if you want a system that can be easy to set up, but is hugely customisable and you like to designs nice working interfaces. It does not have a subscription model, but is not so cheap (£220 plus VAT min in the UK). Lots of options.

I have been using it in various incarnations since the early 90s, so I might be biased!

see https://4d.com
You can download a demo from the site.

 

[SalisburySam]

Are you looking for a relational or flat-file database solution? I don't have any first-hand experience with iDatabase, but it sounds like the informal successor to Bento... both of which are flat-file. The thing that would be helpful to know would be the export options are available.

Flat-file databases have fallen out of favor over the last 20 years, so I ended up creating customized Google Sheets with pull-down data fields to manage my data....rather than get stuck with another orphaned product.

Relational. Already have the flat-file equivalent using Excel/Numbers. Good to know iDatabase is flat-file. Seems that every product, especially in niche areas, are doomed to become orphans at some point. I just need one that can me my current needs and not go into lock-up seizures at the end of a subscription period. As for customizing Google Sheets, not something I would want to do, and I want as little to do with Google as possible. But that's just me.

Ninox is another good option.

I've gone through the first five of their available tutorials and Ninox seems like a pretty good fit for what I want. Doesn't have the almost never-ending templates that Knack does but Knack isn't a good fit for me. I'll go through a few more, then likely go for the trial.

4D is the way to go if you want a system that can be easy to set up, but is hugely customisable and you like to designs nice working interfaces. It does not have a subscription model, but is not so cheap (£220 plus VAT min in the UK). Lots of options.

I have been using it in various incarnations since the early 90s, so I might be biased!

see https://4d.com
You can download a demo from the site.

I tried their website, but couldn't really get much detail there. Even pricing was not present...maybe something about me being in the USA instead of UK. From what I did see, this seems targeted towards the enterprise, with enterprise purchasing norms, enterprise versioning, and the like. So far, Ninox is leading the pack for my use cases.

 

[ssmed]

I tried their website, but couldn't really get much detail there. Even pricing was not present...maybe something about me being in the USA instead of UK. From what I did see, this seems targeted towards the enterprise, with enterprise purchasing norms, enterprise versioning, and the like. So far, Ninox is leading the pack for my use cases.

Fair enough. But when you get fed up of not being able to do something – perhaps give it another go. You need to create an account to have a good mooch around the site. Then the prices are available based on your location.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

Base is a decent app for SQLite files. It has a few rough edges but it works fine for most queries.

Valentina Studio is pretty good if you need something more robust that connects to a wide variety of database types. It has a lot of features missing from other Mac apps, which users of SQL Server Management Studio take for granted on Windows.

Azure Data Studio despite the name can handle quite a bit more than just SQL Server in the cloud with the right extensions installed— Postgres, MySQL, etc. It is 100% free.

Personally I would probably recommend MongoDB and MongoDB Compass (both completely free for the non-enterprise versions). You can install MongoDB locally and never need to connect to any cloud services. However there is a learning curve if you have never worked with NoSQL databases before.