This material provides an overview of 9 best tools that programmers and administrators use to work with Microsoft SQL Server.
AZURE DATA STUDIO
Azure Data Studio is a free, cross-platform, open source tool for working with Microsoft SQL Server databases. Azure Data Studio is based on Visual Studio Code and is oriented towards SQL developers, since the main purpose of Azure Data Studio is to write, edit and execute SQL queries, in other words, it is an SQL code editor.
Azure Data Studio allows you to work with Microsoft SQL Server databases, SQL Azure, as well as with other databases, for example, PostgreSQL.
Main features
- Free Cross-platform
- Tool (Windows, Linux, macOS support)
- SQL Developer Orientation
- Advanced SQL Editor (IntelliSense technology, SQL code fragments)
- Extensibility (built-in extension support)
- Work with other DBMS
- Built-in ability to upload data in Excel, XML, JSON format, CSV
- Grouping of Server Connections
- Data visualization with charts and graphs Support for several color themes
- Built-in terminal (Bash, PowerShell, sqlcmd)
- Notebooks
Shortcomings
- No table constructor
- No functionality to work with object properties
- No security management capability
- No DACPAC import and export capability
- No functionality for most administration tasks
SQL SERVER MANAGEMENT STUDIO
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a free graphical infrastructure management environment for SQL Server developed by Microsoft.
SQL Server Management Studio SSMS
With SSMS you can develop databases, execute T-SQL instructions and administer Microsoft SQL Server. SQL Server Management Studio is a basic, standard and fully functional tool for working with Microsoft SQL Server, designed for both developers and SQL Server administrators.
Main features
- Wednesday is free
- The environment has full functionality for working with Microsoft SQL Server
- Suitable for both developers and database administrators
Shortcomings
- The environment is implemented only on Windows
- Most of the functionality is not required by ordinary developers or administrators
- The tool is heavy enough
SQL SERVER DATA TOOLS
SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) is a separate component (workload) of Visual Studio designed for development of SQL Server relational databases.
SSDT is designed for database design development using all the features and advantages of Visual Studio, as well as the familiar to developers interface and functionality. Thus, SQL Server Data Tools is designed for developers who create applications in Visual Studio environment.
Main features
- Integrated in Visual Studio
- Familiar Visual Studio interface and functionality
- Focus on database development
- Coverage of all stages of database development You can work with both a database project and a connected database instance.
- GUI Table Builder
- Navigation by code
- IntelliSense Technology
- Reassembly and debugging
- Database refactoring
- Declarative changes in the Transact-SQL editor
Shortcomings
- The tool is implemented only under Windows
- The tool cannot be used without Visual Studio
- Not suitable for easy writing, editing and execution of SQL queries
- Not suitable for SQL Server administration
THE MSSQL EXTENSION FOR VISUAL STUDIO CODE
The mssql extension for Visual Studio Code is the official Microsoft extension intended for working with SQL Server in Visual Studio Code.
The mssql extension supports connections to SQL Server and advanced features for creating, editing and executing SQL queries in Visual Studio Code.
Main features
- The tool is free
- Integrated into Visual Studio Code
- Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS support)
- T-SQL code development orientation
- Advanced SQL Editor (IntelliSense technology, SQL code fragments)
- Built-in ability to upload data in Excel, JSON, CSV format
Shortcomings
- No functionality for database and SQL server administration.
- No table constructor available.
- No functionality for working with object properties
- There is no security management capability
- No possibility of DACPAC import and export
- The tool cannot be used without Visual Studio Code
DBFORGE STUDIO FOR SQL SERVER
dbForge Studio for SQL Server is an environment for development and administration of Microsoft SQL Server databases by Devart.
dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a comprehensive solution for working with Microsoft SQL Server and can be used by both SQL developers and SQL Server administrators.
Main features
- Advanced SQL editor (autocompletion, code templates, formatting)
- Version control
- Creating queries and tables in graphical constructor
- Graphical data editor (the resulting data set can be edited)
- Database diagram
- T-SQL code debugger
- Request profiler as well as server event profiler
- Ability to compare schemes and data
- Data Generator
- Documenting tools
- Built-in data import and export in Excel, XML, JSON, TXT, DBF, CSV, PDF format
- Database administration
- Data reports
- Linked Table Viewer
Shortcomings
- The tool is paid
- The tool is implemented only under Windows
- Some of the functionality is not required by ordinary developers or administrators
NAVICAT FOR SQL SERVER
Navicat for SQL Server is a graphical tool for database development and administration in Microsoft SQL Server.
With this tool you can create, edit and delete any database objects, develop and execute SQL queries and instructions, and view data in tables, including binary and hexadecimal data.
Main features
- Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS support)
- Advanced SQL editor (code autocompletion, code fragments)
- Object Designer
- Ability to compare and synchronize data in databases
- Built-in data design and simulation capability
- Data visualization with charts and graphs
- Built-in data import and export in Excel, XML, JSON, TXT, DBF, CSV format
- Theme dark mode
Shortcomings
- The tool is paid
EMS SQL MANAGEMENT STUDIO FOR SQL SERVER
EMS SQL Management Studio for SQL Server is a comprehensive solution for database development and administration in Microsoft SQL Server from EMS.
Main features
- Create queries in visual editor
- Data Generator
- Built-in data import and export in Excel, XML, JSON, TXT, DBF, CSV, PDF format
- Ability to compare and synchronize data in databases
- Database administration
Shortcomings
- The tool is paid
- The tool is implemented only under Windows
DATAGRIP
DataGrip is a universal tool for working with databases, it can work with Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, Sybase, DB2 and others.
The developer of DataGrip is JetBrains.
Main features
- Advanced SQL Editor
- Working with multiple DBMS
- Support for diagrams
- Tabular Data Editor
- Colour schemes
- Code Generator
Shortcomings
- The tool is paid
- Not oriented towards Microsoft SQL Server (the tool is intended for many DBMS)
SQLCMD
SQLCMD is a standard console tool for working with Microsoft SQL Server from Microsoft.
You will not be able to use this tool as the main tool of SQL Server development and administration, because it is mainly intended for some service tasks, script execution and so on.
Main features
- Standard and free tool
- Task orientation
Shortcomings
- The tool is implemented only under Windows
- No graphical interface.
- Limited functionality
- There are no advanced options.