Software Alternatives & Startups

PureRef VS Sequel Pro

Compare PureRef VS Sequel Pro and see what are their differences

PureRef

The simple way to view and organize your multiple reference images.

Rating
0 reviews
Sequel Pro

MySQL database management for Mac OS X

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, PureRef should be more popular than Sequel Pro. It has been mentioned 4 times since March 2021.

social mentions
4 vs 2
Productivity popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
56 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

PureRef
Sequel Pro
Website pureref.com sequelpro.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PureRef 6 features
Sequel Pro 6 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    PureRef offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to organize and manage reference images. The minimalistic design allows users to focus on their work without unnecessary distractions.
  • Lightweight and Portable
    The software is lightweight and does not require installation, making it highly portable. Users can run PureRef from a USB drive or any location on their computer.
  • Flexible Canvas
    PureRef provides a flexible canvas that can be easily resized and adjusted to fit users’ needs. This allows for seamless scaling of images without quality loss and the ability to organize the workspace freely.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    PureRef is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to maintain a consistent workflow across different operating systems.
  • Customizable Shortcuts
    Users can customize keyboard shortcuts to fit their workflow, which increases efficiency and speeds up navigation within the software.
  • Multiple Image Formats
    PureRef supports a wide range of image formats, ensuring compatibility with most reference images beyond basic formats like JPG and PNG.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Editing Tools
    While PureRef excels in organizing and displaying reference images, it lacks advanced editing tools, which means users need to rely on other software for image adjustments or annotations.
  • No Cloud Integration
    PureRef does not offer built-in cloud storage or syncing options, which could be inconvenient for users who work across multiple devices and want seamless access to their reference boards.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functionalities are easy to grasp, some advanced features and keyboard shortcuts may require time to learn and master, particularly for users new to PureRef.
  • Not Free for All Users
    Although PureRef offers a pay-what-you-want pricing model, users may face ethical dilemmas or budget constraints when deciding what to pay, especially if they plan to use it for professional purposes.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users report occasional lag or performance issues when handling extremely large collections of high-resolution images, which can disrupt workflow.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Sequel Pro features an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for even beginners to interact with MySQL databases without needing to know extensive SQL commands.
  • Customization
    Offers a range of customization options, including custom queries and saved query favorites, allowing users to tailor the tool to their specific needs.
  • Free and Open-Source
    Sequel Pro is free to download and use. Its open-source nature ensures that users can contribute to its development and benefit from community-driven improvements.
  • Native macOS Application
    Designed specifically for macOS, offering a seamless experience for Mac users with native look and feel.
  • Data Editing
    Provides functionality to easily edit data directly within the application, simplifying the process of managing database content.
  • Import/Export Capability
    Supports importing and exporting databases in various formats such as CSV, SQL, XML, and other common formats.

Possible disadvantages

  • macOS-Only
    Sequel Pro is only available for macOS, which limits its usability for those who are using other operating systems.
  • Lacks Some Advanced Features
    While it covers most basic and intermediate needs, it lacks some advanced features found in other database management tools, which may be necessary for more complex database tasks.
  • Infrequent Updates
    Updates and bug fixes are somewhat infrequent, which can lead to prolonged periods where users might encounter unresolved issues or lack new features.
  • Stability Issues
    Some users have reported stability issues, including crashes and bugs, which can disrupt workflow and data management tasks.
  • No Official Support
    Lacks official customer support, relying instead on community forums and user-generated documentation, which may not be as reliable or fast for resolving urgent problems.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

PureRef
Sequel Pro

No analysis of PureRef yet.

Overall verdict

  • Sequel Pro is generally seen as a good application for managing MySQL databases, especially for those working within the macOS environment. However, it is worth noting that support and updates have slowed down, and users often seek alternatives or forks for continued improvements and bug fixes.

Why this product is good

  • Sequel Pro is considered a good tool for macOS users because it offers a user-friendly interface and efficient management of MySQL databases. It is valued for its simplicity, speed, and minimalistic design, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users. Additionally, Sequel Pro is open-source and free, which contributes to its popularity among developers.

Recommended for

    Sequel Pro is recommended for macOS users who need a straightforward and effective way to manage MySQL databases. It is particularly well-suited for developers and database administrators looking for a free tool that covers basic and intermediate database management tasks.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

PureRef 3 videos + Add
Sequel Pro 2 videos + Add

The Best Free Tool for Artists - PureRef

More videos

  • - PureRef tutorial: a free, cross-platform virtual board for artists!
  • - PureRef Review

What is Sequel Pro

More videos

  • - Controlling your Databases with Sequel Pro, Part 2: Connecting and Creating a Database

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
PureRef
Sequel Pro
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using PureRef and Sequel Pro. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

PureRef no reviews yet
Sequel Pro no reviews yet

We have no reviews of PureRef yet. Be the first one to post

  • Top 16 MySQL GUI Clients for Mac
    www.devart.com · Dec 2025

    Sequel Pro is an entirely free and open-source MySQL database manager that delivers the basic functionality for data management. If you need a simple tool to handle queries in multiple MySQL databases, this might be it.

  • 15 Best MySQL GUI Clients for macOS
    blog.devart.com · Jun 2023

    Sequel Pro is a completely free and open-source MySQL database manager that delivers the basic functionality for data management. If you need a simple tool to handle queries in multiple MySQL databases, this might be it.

  • Top Ten MySQL GUI Tools

    Sequel Pro is a widely used tool for open-source relational database environments on remote and local servers. Native to only macOS X, Sequel Pro works with cloud providers while performing table creation, customer...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

PureRef 4 mentions
Sequel Pro 2 mentions
  • how do u guys organize your visual inspiration/refs digitally?
    I mainly use offline means: organising all my files in a hierarchy of folders and using pureref (which I highly recommend) to make moodboards, and ofc an external hard drive to save backups. The only online means I use is google drive... Source: over 4 years ago
  • HELP! So I want to trace this Image(704x702) into a Pixel art (32 x 32 or 40 x 40) but when I resize it, it gets like this (2nd picture) and if I don't, then the pixels are too small, What do i do?
    If you just want the image to be a transparent overlay while you draw 'through the image'(with it being unchanged) you can use something like Pureref(pureref.com) to set the image as always on top + turn opacity down a bit. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Hide user name in menu bar.
    If you can’t get it to work inside of max, I thought of a free easy workaround you could try. I use the software pureref to manage and quickly access reference images. You could just resize an empty pureref window to cover your username.... Source: over 4 years ago

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  • Lol! Developer got no chill!
    Check out https://sequelpro.com/ Completely free and, imo, better than TP. Source: about 4 years ago
  • User friendly GUI for OSX
    Doing some Googling Sequel Pro looks very promising as well as Navicat. Ideally something FOSS or at least free, but willing to pay if needed. Source: over 5 years ago

Alternatives to PureRef and Sequel Pro

When comparing PureRef and Sequel Pro, you can also consider the following products.