Free Database tool

I’m not sure when they did this but Navicat now has a free/lite version of their product. Found it when I went to look to see if there was anything interesting enough to upgrade for…

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Premium Lite! Jumbo shrimp! :fried_shrimp:

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I can’t see the limitation of this lite version except it’s no more than 5 per organisation ?

Look at the "Feature Matrix " link.

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It’s not bad though. I mean, if you’re just doing basic stuff, it covers a lot of different databases.

This is a lot prettier than SQLiteStudio and seems to do a bit more. Thanks for the share!

Why do they want (well - require…!) us to create a “Navicat ID” to use the app…?

So they can market their products to you. A sales lead is their compensation for making the app available for free. I’ll bet your login also synchronizes your licenses and such.

There are a lot of different schools of thought on this approach but I have to admit I’m doing the same thing in an app I’m building that targets a specific industry. Requiring a login in your “trial” is a less expensive approach than trying to reach customers via targeting on social media (especially when your target audience is one that is more likely to be using ad-blockers than the general population).

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Can’t say I’ve ever seen this prompt before.

I keep clicking “Don’t Allow”, but it comes back each time I open the app.

Is it looking for my Contacts? Usually it says that, otherwise I have no idea what it’s looking for…

I foresee an uninstall in my future.

I know… :wink:

It’s just been a heads up for those that don’t like such a thing.

It’s been the reason why I’ve deleted this app right away, not being able to get a first look at it without any fuss and registration. So they have kind of lost my interest. I guess I’m growing old, too (it hasn’t been like this in the good old times of Share/Freeware) :wink:

If they really want something from me, then I’d prefer to always nag when opening a free tool. Should I like it, I’d fill out that form sooner or later.

But let’s stop with that, as such a discussion should better be another topic.

So all I can contribute to this one is: the screenshots look nice, but since it requires a registration to just open it probably won’t be everyone’s taste or choice.

That apparently shows up if an app is accessing data or just enumerating the file system in ~/Library/Containers and hasn’t been signed with the new entitlement that macOS 15 requires.

You can read more about it here.

https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/742147
https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/721701

It’s unlikely that it’s doing anything malicious, but just failing to satisfy Apple’s security policies as they get stricter and stricter.

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Thank you Jared, I appreciate the information.

I’m still on Sonoma, trying to delay the hassle of some of these changes to Sequoia.

sadly my up to date Opera app does this message too !

No, Navicat is not looking for your contacts because then the fear-mongering dialog would say that it wants to access your contacts.

As far as I remember apps are not supposed to be talking to each other these days. Probably Navicat has a helper app or something. Stil it’s a bug that Navicat shows the dialog every time it starts.

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Thank you for the feedback Beatrix. I was just curious about the tool, but I’ve uninstalled it now.

Besides, SQLiteManager from sqlabs.com works for most things I’m doing. And if I need any heavy-lifting I use DataGrip from jetbrains.com

Edited to add: Once you signup for a free use - I noticed there was no way to delete your Navicat online account.

This, “would like access to other device on the network.” type request is becoming more and more ubiquitous. I won’t be surprised if my dictionary app requests it.

It’s like the small town that gets “discovered” by developers. Cut down the native trees and plant trees that need more water and maintenance, etc. Rich people (much higher income than the average citizenry) who, “…want to get away…” but then set about making the small town just like the place they left.

And none of these new “requests” enhances my developer experience - it’s just more “stuff” to deal with.

But it’s the way of the world. I’ve seen so many things start out useful, simple, pleasant - only to be “touched” by marketing and de-volve, into a money, user-as-the-product, scheme.

Of course I’m not against someone making a living. But there are ways … and there are ways.

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It makes sense. We’ve been offering Valentina Studio Free Version for many years, as well as offering competitive upgrades from other products, including Navicat. We also have a free (internal use & evaluation) version of Valentina Server as well.

We do require some information because it is a licensed product, but we certainly don’t put our nose in your sock drawer in regards to privacy.

It doesn’t look like they’ve gone pure subscription only like so many have.

From a purely business perspective, you have to look at the widest edge of your sales funnel, especially if you haven’t achieved massive market dominance.

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