The Best SQL Server Management Studio AlternativesTop Database Management Tools and other similar apps like SQL Server Management Studio

SQL Server Management Studio is described as 'SSMS is a software application that is used for configuring, managing, and administering all components within Microsoft SQL Server. It includes both script editors and graphical tools which work with objects and features of the server' and is a database management tool in the development category. There are more than 25 alternatives to SQL Server Management Studio for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and Flatpak apps. The best SQL Server Management Studio alternative is DBeaver, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like SQL Server Management Studio are HeidiSQL, DataGrip, Beekeeper studio and Valentina Studio.

filter to find the best alternatives

SQL Server Management Studio alternatives are mainly Database Management Tools, but if you're looking for IDEs or Relational Databases you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux + Open Source. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to SQL Server Management Studio.
SQL Server Management Studio iconSQL Server Management Studio
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SSMS is a software application that is used for configuring, managing, and administering all components within Microsoft SQL Server. It includes both script editors and graphical tools which work with objects and features...

More about SQL Server Management Studio
More about SQL Server Management Studio
SQL Server Management Studio alternatives page was last updated Dec 6, 2024
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  1. DBeaver icon

    DBeaver

     359 likes
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    A comprehensive, open-source database management tool ideal for developers and administrators. It supports various databases via JDBC drivers, offers extensive plugins and tools like ER diagrams, data migration, and metadata editing, while being ad-free and portable. Usability and extensibility are key features.

    159 DBeaver alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Eclipse
    • Flatpak
    • Java
    DBeaver screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  Database Management Tool
    2.  Data export/import
    3.  Multiple DataBase
    4. PostgreSQL icon  PostgreSQL support
    5.  Autocompletion
    6.  ER Diagrams
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Built-in viewer
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Import CSV Data
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Portable

    DBeaver VS SQL Server Management Studio

     
    Comments about DBeaver as an Alternative to SQL Server Management Studio
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Jan 23, 2018
    5

    Connect to "MS SQL 2017 for Linux" - Out of the box (server and DBeaver - linux- Archlinux), clean look, nice, cool

    Guest
    Positive Sep 12, 2017
    0

    Installs SQL Server plugin automatically and works fine.

    Guest
    Positive Nov 6, 2018
    0

    Connected without much effort. Always a must in IT for FAST solutions.

    SQL Server Management Studio Icon
    DBeaver icon

    • Most users think DBeaver is a great SQL Server Management Studio alternative.

    • DBeaver is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

    • DBeaver is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

    • DBeaver is Freemium and Open SourceSQL Server Management Studio is Free and Proprietary
  2. HeidiSQL icon

    HeidiSQL

     244 likes
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    Provides powerful tools for viewing, editing MySQL, MariaDB, Microsoft SQL, and PostgreSQL databases, with privacy features, portability, no ads, and a dark mode.

    109 HeidiSQL alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Table Editor

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Database Management Tool
    2.  Multiple DataBase
    3.  Data export/import
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Simple import
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Portable
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Desktop Application
    11. PostgreSQL icon  PostgreSQL support
    12.  SSH Tunnel

    HeidiSQL VS SQL Server Management Studio

     
    Comments about HeidiSQL as an Alternative to SQL Server Management Studio
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Feb 22, 2017
    0

    is resolved my problem with SSMS

    Guest
    Positive Mar 28, 2017
    -1

    Can generate DB creation scripts with data and schema

    Gabriele Pettenò
    Positive Apr 14, 2020
    0

    Easy light and simple to use!

    SQL Server Management Studio Icon
    HeidiSQL icon

    • Most users think HeidiSQL is a great SQL Server Management Studio alternative.

    • HeidiSQL is Free and Open SourceSQL Server Management Studio is Free and Proprietary
    • HeidiSQL is Lightweight and Privacy focusedSQL Server Management Studio is not according to our users
  4. DataGrip icon

    DataGrip

     77 likes
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    DataGrip is a database IDE from JetBrains that is tailored to suit specific needs of professional SQL developers.

    80 DataGrip alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Main window

    DataGrip Features

    1.  Autocompletion
    2. PostgreSQL icon  PostgreSQL support
    3.  Idea
    4.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    5.  Real time collaboration
    6.  SQLite
    7.  Desktop Application
    8.  Editable grid

    DataGrip VS SQL Server Management Studio

     

    • Almost everyone thinks DataGrip is a great SQL Server Management Studio alternative.

    • DataGrip is the most popular commercial alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

    • DataGrip is Paid and ProprietarySQL Server Management Studio is Free and Proprietary
  5. Beekeeper studio icon

    Beekeeper studio

     32 likes
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    Open Source SQL Editor and Database Manager for MySQL, SQL Server, Postgres, Redshift, Sqlite and more.

    90 Beekeeper studio alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • MySQL Community Edition
    • MariaDB
    • Microsoft SQL Server
    • CockroachDB
    • Amazon Redshift
    • PostgreSQL
    Beekeeper studio screenshot 1

    Top Beekeeper studio Features

    1.  Database Management Tool
    2.  SQLite
    3. MariaDB icon  Support for MariaDB
    4. PostgreSQL icon  PostgreSQL support
    5.  Autocompletion
    6.  Portable
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Vue UI Framework
    11. MySQL Community Edition icon  MySQL Support

    Beekeeper studio VS SQL Server Management Studio

     
  6. Valentina Studio icon

    Valentina Studio

     162 likes
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    FREE native database manager for RDBMS: DuckDB, MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, Valentina DB, and MongoDB. PRO Edition adds Report Editor and Form Editor, with Java/Python Scripting and dozens of features.

    85 Valentina Studio alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Powerful User Interface

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Autocompletion
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Import CSV Data
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  No Coding Required
    9.  Schema editor
    10.  Report Builder
    11.  ER Diagrams
    12.  SQLite

    Valentina Studio VS SQL Server Management Studio

     
    Comments about Valentina Studio as an Alternative to SQL Server Management Studio
    Guest
    Positive May 24, 2018
    1

    Graphics query designer. Option to import data to a table directly from *.CSV file.

    uniphonic
    Positive Sep 26, 2017
    0

    There is one of the few free Mac clients with a nice graphical UI.

    SQL Server Management Studio Icon
    Valentina Studio icon

    • Most users think Valentina Studio is a great SQL Server Management Studio alternative.

    • Valentina Studio is Freemium and ProprietarySQL Server Management Studio is Free and Proprietary
    • Valentina Studio is LightweightSQL Server Management Studio is not according to our users
  7. Outerbase Studio icon

    Outerbase Studio

     8 likes
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    Efficient browser-based tool for database management, designed for simplicity and versatility. Features include a user-friendly query editor, powerful data management capabilities, and a flexible connection manager supporting Postgres, MySQL, and SQLite.

    51 Outerbase Studio alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Outerbase Studio screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Autocompletion
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Web-Based
    5.  SQLite
    6.  Browser-based
    7.  Schema editor
    8. PostgreSQL icon  PostgreSQL support
    9.  Electron based

    Outerbase Studio VS SQL Server Management Studio

     

    • Outerbase Studio is the most popular Web-based alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

    • Outerbase Studio is Free and Open SourceSQL Server Management Studio is Free and Proprietary
    • Outerbase Studio is LightweightSQL Server Management Studio is not according to our users
  9. Navicat icon

    Navicat

     78 likes
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    Navicat is a database administration tool that allows you to simultaneously connect to MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQLite databases from a single application.

    99 Navicat alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • HK flagHong Kong SAR China

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Navicat screenshot 1

    Navicat Features

    1. PostgreSQL icon  PostgreSQL support
    2.  ER Diagrams
    3.  SQLite
    4.  Local based GUI
    5. MariaDB icon  Support for MariaDB

    Navicat VS SQL Server Management Studio

     
  10. DbGate icon

    DbGate

     19 likes
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    DbGate is cross-platform database manager. Simple and effective, allowing to work with many various databases simultaneously - SQL and NoSQL.

    161 DbGate alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    DbGate screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Database Management Tool
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Relational Database
    4.  MongoDB
    5.  Autocompletion
    6.  Support for MS SQL Server
    7.  ER Diagrams
    8. MariaDB icon  Support for MariaDB
    9.  SQLite
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Import CSV Data
    12.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions

    DbGate VS SQL Server Management Studio

     
  11. WhatTheDuck icon

    WhatTheDuck

     10 likes
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    WhatTheDuck is an open-source web application built on DuckDB. It allows users to upload CSV files, store them in tables, and perform SQL queries on the data.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • IN flagIndia

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    WhatTheDuck screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Import CSV Data
    2.  Portable
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Dark Mode

    WhatTheDuck VS SQL Server Management Studio

     

    • WhatTheDuck is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

    • WhatTheDuck is Free and Open SourceSQL Server Management Studio is Free and Proprietary
    • WhatTheDuck is LightweightSQL Server Management Studio is not according to our users
  12. Tableplus icon

    Tableplus

     32 likes
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    TablePlus is a native app which helps you easily edit database data and structure. TablePlus includes many security features to protect your database, including native libssh and TLS to encrypt your connection.

    91 Tableplus alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • VN flagVietnam

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Tableplus screenshot 1

    Tableplus Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Data-management

    Tableplus VS SQL Server Management Studio

     
    Comments about Tableplus as an Alternative to SQL Server Management Studio
    Guest
    Negative Sep 27, 2019
    0

    Too basic, too few admin features

    SQL Server Management Studio Icon
    Tableplus icon
    • Tableplus is Paid and ProprietarySQL Server Management Studio is Free and Proprietary
10 of 39 SQL Server Management Studio alternatives