Comparison

Caliope vs SQLSSH

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Caliope

Features
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Calíope — Database Client for Mac, iPad and iPhone Calíope is a powerful, native client for MySQL, MariaDB, Amazon Aurora, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, ClickHouse and Redis, built for Mac, iPad and iPhone. Whether you're a developer, DBA, or data analyst, Calíope gives you everything you need to connect, query, explore, and manage your databases — all in a clean, native interface designed for Apple platforms. WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH CALÍOPE PRO SQL Editor — Write and execute queries with syntax highlighting and an integrated execution history, side by side across independent tabs, each with its own live session. Reports — A saved query with its parameters declared and its output defined: which columns, in what order, with what titles and formats. Running it twice gives the same thing. Works against relational databases, SQLite files and MongoDB, exports to nine formats including a paginated PDF, and can run on a schedule. Database Explorer — Browse your full schema — tables, views, stored procedures, triggers, events and more — from an intuitive tree, with columns, indexes and foreign keys at a glance. ER Diagrams — Visualize your database structure with interactive entity-relationship diagrams. Understand table relationships and schema design without writing a single query. Secure Connections — Connect to remote servers safely with native SSH tunneling (ed25519 and ECDSA keys), SSL/TLS encryption, and per-profile credential storage in your system Keychain. Scheduled Backups — Automate backups with flexible scheduling and configurable retention, choosing exactly which databases and tables go into each job. Replication Topology — Declare the primary and its replicas, and see the whole group at once, with a diagram: each replica with its lag, its two threads and the transactions it actually owes. A replica can report 0 seconds while it runs hours behind. Multiple Sessions & Query Log — Open and switch between independent database sessions, each isolated. Every query is logged locally, so you can trace what was executed, when, and on which connection. Works without a server — A built-in SQLite editor for local .sqlite files: structure, data, SQL, pragmas, Save/Revert and CSV/JSON/SQL import and export. A DuckDB editor opens .duckdb files and queries Parquet, CSV or JSON where they already are. Plus a read-only previewer for .md, .sql, .json, .csv, .rtf and .log files. All work offline. Widgets — Server metrics without opening the app: Mac desktop, iPhone and iPad Home and Lock Screens. One server per widget; tap to open its dashboard. AI SQL Assistant — An optional assistant that helps you write queries, explain results and suggest optimizations. It works from the first launch with Apple Intelligence: no key, no cost, and nothing leaves your device. You can also bring your own key from a supported provider — usage is billed by that provider, and Calíope does not charge for or resell AI services — or point it at a local model. Keys stay in your Keychain. ONE-TIME PURCHASE • Calíope Pro — buy once, keep forever. Pricing is shown in the App Store at the time of purchase and may vary by region. • 60-day free trial with everything unlocked before you decide. No card, no automatic charge. • One purchase unlocks Calíope on all your devices signed in with your Apple ID, with every future update included. • No subscription, no renewals. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://caliope.org/PrivacyPolicy.html

About

SQLSSH

Features
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SQLSSH — Developer Tools, One Beautiful App. In Your Pocket, On Your Desk. Stop switching between a database IDE, a terminal, and an SFTP/S3 app. SQLSSH unifies PostgreSQL, MySQL, MSSQL, Oracle, SQLite, SSH, SFTP, FTP & S3 in one local-first workspace — built for developers who ship from phone, tablet, and desktop. WHY SQLSSH • One client for databases, servers, and files • Native performance (compiled - no WebViews): fast launch, low RAM, battery-friendly • Local-first by default: credentials & private keys stay on your device • Zero-knowledge end-to-end encrypted sync across devices • Direct connections — your data is never proxied through our servers SUPPORTED DATABASES 11+ engines: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, MSSQL, Oracle Database, CockroachDB, YugabyteDB, Amazon Aurora & Amazon Redshift. FAST & NATIVE SQL EDITOR Write, run, and debug SQL where you work: • Syntax highlighting & database-specific helpers • Live schema navigator (tables, columns, PKs, indexes) • Multi-query execution with transactions (commit / rollback) • High-performance results grid for keyboard and touch • Query history & reusable SQL snippets • Import/export SQL scripts, CSV • Visual Schema Browser, interactive ERD diagrams, Generate DDL • Dialect wizards (UUID/SYS_GUID, sequences, date helpers) SSH TERMINAL & SECURE ACCESS Keep the shell next to your queries: • Built-in interactive SSH terminal • On-device SSH key manager (passphrase-protected keys, never stored as plaintext) • SSH bastion / jump-host tunneling for private VPC databases • SOCKS5 proxy support for restricted networks • Port forwarding without leaving the app CLOUD & NETWORK STORAGE Browse and transfer files in the same workspace: • SFTP, FTP/FTPS, Amazon S3 & S3-compatible storage • Directory breadcrumbs, search, and background transfer queues MULTI-SESSION WORKSPACE • Open multiple concurrent connections in tabs • Switch instantly between SQL sessions, terminals, and storage • Isolated query history & schema state per session • Split layouts to compare results or monitor servers side-by-side SECURITY & PRIVACY • AES-256 encryption for on-device secrets • Biometric lock (fingerprint / Face ID) + PIN, with auto-lock • We do not access your database content, query results, SSH I/O, or private keys • Optional Master Password–protected E2EE sync FREE TIER & PRO SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS SQLSSH is free to download and use with standard features (Free Tier). You can experience all premium features by starting a 7-day free trial of the Pro subscription. Free Tier Limitations: • Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite only. • Connections: Up to 2 database connections and 1 SSH terminal. • Storage: Up to 1 remote storage host (SFTP/FTP/S3) with 1 concurrent transfer. • Saved Queries: Up to 10 SQL snippets. • Session Tabs: Single active session tab at a time. • Themes: Standard themes only. SQLSSH Pro Subscription (7-Day Free Trial Available): Unlock the ultimate developer workspace. Upgrading to Pro removes all limits and adds: • End-to-End Encrypted Sync: Access your connections, credentials, and query history securely across all devices with client-side zero-knowledge encryption. • All 11+ Database Engines: Full support for MSSQL, Oracle, MariaDB, CockroachDB, YugabyteDB, Amazon Aurora, and Redshift. • Unlimited Workspace: Add unlimited connections, SSH terminals, and storage hosts. • Multi-Tab/Multi-Session Productivity: Unlimited concurrent sessions or file transfers side-by-side. • High-Speed Storage: Queue up to 10 concurrent file transfers. • Advanced Editor: Save up to 500 query snippets and up to 120-second execution timeouts. • Premium Themes: Customize your editor with 8 premium theme presets. Subscription Details: Standard subscriptions start with a 7-day free trial. Cancel anytime during the trial period at no cost. Terms of Use (EULA): https://sqlssh.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://sqlssh.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Caliope4 screens
SQLSSH4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SQLSSH at every 9 days against Caliope's every 3 weeks. SQLSSH also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). Caliope's advantage is device support (6 vs 3). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Caliope sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year and SQLSSH sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Caliope ships an update every 3 weeks, SQLSSH every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
Caliope versus SQLSSH: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCaliopeSQLSSH
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB47 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperDavid Villalobos CambroneroTrendcas

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Caliope

Subscriptions1
  • Calíope Pro1 Month trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • 60-day TrialFree
  • Calíope Pro$49.99
2 purchases

SQLSSH

Subscriptions2
  • SQLSSH Pro - Monthly7 Days trial$3.001 Month
  • SQLSSH Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$20.001 Year

Questions

Is Caliope free?
Caliope is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SQLSSH free?
SQLSSH is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Caliope or SQLSSH have ads?
Neither Caliope nor SQLSSH shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Caliope or SQLSSH?
Caliope ships an update every 3 weeks, and SQLSSH every 9 days. Most recently, Caliope was updated on October 25, 2026 and SQLSSH on October 29, 2026.

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