Database for MacOS
Started by Stephen Zeoli
on 6/5/2026
Stephen Zeoli
6/5/2026 9:02 am
Hi, all,
Not exactly an outlining question, but I want to find a new database app for use on my MacBook. I currently use TapForms, but I've got the Intel version, which will soon no longer run on my Silicon MacBook. I've never been overly happy with TapForms anyway, so I figure this is a good time to move my data to a new app. I mostly use it to manage memberships for an historic society I volunteer with, so I need to be able to print mailing labels from the app. (I long for the days of Bento, which was perfect... until it was abandoned by Apple). Any suggestions?
Thank you.
Steve
Not exactly an outlining question, but I want to find a new database app for use on my MacBook. I currently use TapForms, but I've got the Intel version, which will soon no longer run on my Silicon MacBook. I've never been overly happy with TapForms anyway, so I figure this is a good time to move my data to a new app. I mostly use it to manage memberships for an historic society I volunteer with, so I need to be able to print mailing labels from the app. (I long for the days of Bento, which was perfect... until it was abandoned by Apple). Any suggestions?
Thank you.
Steve
Amontillado
6/5/2026 9:14 am
Ninox may be more polished than TapForms, but I hate to say anything bad about TapForms. It's about the only choice for an old school database app.
However, Ninox puts your databases where it wants them. As I recall, syncing between devices isn't easy.
Easy Data Transform will do many of the things you would do with database tables.
I tried Libre Office Base long ago. I seem to remember it was workable. Libre Office as a whole doesn't suit my taste (a personal problem, I'm sure), so I don't use anything from that suite.
A report and form system sitting on top of sqlite would be pretty awesome, but I haven't found anything I like.
However, Ninox puts your databases where it wants them. As I recall, syncing between devices isn't easy.
Easy Data Transform will do many of the things you would do with database tables.
I tried Libre Office Base long ago. I seem to remember it was workable. Libre Office as a whole doesn't suit my taste (a personal problem, I'm sure), so I don't use anything from that suite.
A report and form system sitting on top of sqlite would be pretty awesome, but I haven't found anything I like.
Stephen Zeoli liked this
Tap Forms has a Silicon version, Tap Forms Pro, which, of course, is a subscription app at $50 per annum. I find this particularly annoying since the developer over the years has gone lengthy periods with bare minimum or zero support for the app.
If the membership base is on the smaller end, you might consider AirTable. The free tier supports a fair amount of data.
Or you could ask Claude to make you a small spec-built app to support your membership work.
If the membership base is on the smaller end, you might consider AirTable. The free tier supports a fair amount of data.
Or you could ask Claude to make you a small spec-built app to support your membership work.
Stephen Zeoli liked this
satis
6/5/2026 1:10 pm
Ninox seems like a good all-in-one choice but remember that Tap Forms Pro ($50/yr) is Apple Silicon-native. I'm not sure how you're doing mailing labels now but export to CSV is easy and then you could use a label designer/printer like Swift Publisher, or you could use Apple Pages, or even just export into a folder in Apple Contacts and print from within Contacts.
A free option is LibreOffice, which is surprisingly capable.
A free option is LibreOffice, which is surprisingly capable.