SQL Server Management Studio Alternatives

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 manager in the development category. There are more than 25 alternatives to SQL Server Management Studio for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Online / Web-based and Android. The best alternative is DBeaver, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like SQL Server Management Studio are dbForge Studio for SQL Server, Azure Data Studio, HeidiSQL and DataGrip.

SQL Server Management Studio alternatives are mainly Database Managers but may also be Business Intelligence Tools or Relational Databases. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of SQL Server Management Studio.

This page was last updated

SQL Server Management Studio

Free • Proprietary
Database Manager
Windows

SSMS is a software application that is used for configuring, managing, and administering all components within Microsoft...

Learn more about SQL Server Management Studio

DBeaver
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Database Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Eclipse
Java
149 alternatives to DBeaver
DBeaver - Universal Database Manager and SQL Client. DBeaver is free and open source universal database tool for developers and database administrators.
Suggest and vote on features
DBeaver Features
1. AutocompletionDBeaver can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
2. Dark ModeDBeaver supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Built-in viewerDBeaver shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
4. PortableDBeaver can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Data export/import
Multiple DataBase
PostgreSQL support
ER Diagrams
Clean design
SQLite
Restore on reboot
Support for Oracle
Material design
Foreign key linking
DBeaver vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
Most users think DBeaver is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.
Guest
Connect to "MS SQL 2017 for Linux" - Out of the box (server and DBeaver - linux- Archlinux), clean look, nice, cool
Positive comment•
5

Guest
Installs SQL Server plugin automatically and works fine.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Connected without much effort. Always a must in IT for FAST solutions.
Positive comment•
0
dbForge Studio for SQL Server
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Database Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
45 alternatives to dbForge Studio for SQL Server
dbForge Studio for SQL Server is an integrated environment for SQL Server development, management, administration, data reporting, analysis, version-control database changes and test data generation.
Suggest and vote on features
dbForge Studio for SQL Server Features
Query Builder
Schema compare
GUI Designer
Data analytics
dbForge Studio for SQL Server vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
Almost everyone thinks dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.
scottcate59
Great MS SQL tools for everyday use
Top positive comment•
1

OVK
Perfect code completion and source control
Top positive comment•
3

Guest
Automate frequently-used database tasks via the command-line interface
Positive comment•
0

zomp
If you are a SQL Server DBA then this is a fantastic tool. It's worth the money.
Positive comment•
0

adarshmadrecha
Superb GUI just like SSMS
Positive comment•
0
Azure Data Studio
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Database Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
31 alternatives to Azure Data Studio
Azure Data Studio (formerly SQL Operations Studio) is a free, light-weight tool, that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, for managing SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Data Warehouse; wherever they're running.
Suggest and vote on features
Azure Data Studio Features
1. LightweightAzure Data Studio consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. AutocompletionAzure Data Studio can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
Electron based
Active Directory authentication
Code Completion
Azure Data Studio vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
Most users think Azure Data Studio is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
kurotsuki
It's look promising. It still in in early stage of preview (maybe late alpha or early beta), but it can do basic needs to access sql server. the UI also quite neat. No clutters visible at the moment. Hopefully, it can have more advance features SSMS has in the future. What surprise me is that this app is based on electronjs, a javascript framework for desktop apps which leave small footprint on my system.
Top positive comment•
2

Guest
This seems a really promising project. Now just a "preview" (alpha i guess? version 0.24). Hopefully this will evolve in a truly great SSMS alternative for Linux.
Top positive comment•
0

Guest
Don't allow schema diagrams
Top negative comment•
0

Guest
It runs on the Mac. I have not tested the other ones.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
It's still in its infancy, but it does the basics. I can't picture myself actually developing in ADS, but that could change as time goes on. I already prefer to store my dev databases on Azure so that they are always available.
Positive comment•
1

Show more comments ▾
5 of 8 comments
HeidiSQL
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Database Manager
Windows
96 alternatives to HeidiSQL
HeidiSQL is a useful tool designed for web developers using the popular MySQL server, Microsoft SQL databases and PostgreSQL. It enables you to browse and edit data, create and edit tables, views, procedures, triggers and scheduled events.
Suggest and vote on features
HeidiSQL Features
1. LightweightHeidiSQL consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableHeidiSQL can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Dark ModeHeidiSQL supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Multiple DataBase
Data export/import
Simple import
PostgreSQL support
Ssh tunnel
Server Variables Manager
HeidiSQL vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
Most users think HeidiSQL is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.
Guest
is resolved my problem with SSMS
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Can generate DB creation scripts with data and schema
Positive comment•
-1

gabrielepetteno
Easy light and simple to use!
Positive comment•
0
DataGrip
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Database Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
68 alternatives to DataGrip
DataGrip is a database IDE from JetBrains that is tailored to suit specific needs of professional SQL developers.
Suggest and vote on features
DataGrip Features
1. AutocompletionDataGrip can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDataGrip can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in DataGrip simultaneously.
PostgreSQL support
Idea
SQLite
Editable grid
DataGrip vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
Almost everyone thinks DataGrip is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.
Beekeeper studio
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Database Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
MySQL Community Edition
MariaDB
Microsoft SQL Server
CockroachDB
Amazon Redshift
PostgreSQL
75 alternatives to Beekeeper studio
Open Source SQL Editor and Database Manager for MySQL, SQL Server, Postgres, Redshift, Sqlite and more.
Suggest and vote on features
Beekeeper studio Features
1. AutocompletionBeekeeper studio can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
2. LightweightBeekeeper studio consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Support for MariaDB
SQLite
PostgreSQL support
Valentina Studio
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Database Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
76 alternatives to Valentina Studio
FREE native database manager for SQLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server and Valentina DB. PRO Edition adds Report Editor and Form Editor with JavaScripting and dozen features.
Suggest and vote on features
Valentina Studio Features
1. AutocompletionValentina Studio can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
2. Import CSV DataValentina Studio can import data from a CSV (Comma seperated values) file.
SQLite
Schema editor
ER Diagrams
Query Builder
Multi databases
Data export/import
Visual Editing
Export to CSV
Reporting
Support for MS SQL Server
Valentina Studio vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
Most users think Valentina Studio is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.
Guest
Graphics query designer. Option to import data to a table directly from *.CSV file.
Positive comment•
1

uniphonic
There is one of the few free Mac clients with a nice graphical UI.
Positive comment•
0
SQuirreL SQL
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Database Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
73 alternatives to SQuirreL SQL
SQuirreL SQL is an open-source Java SQL Client program that will allow you to view the structure of a JDBC compliant database, browse the data in tables, issue SQL commands etc.
Suggest and vote on features
SQuirreL SQL Features
Multiple DataBase
Visual Query Builder
SQLite
SQuirreL SQL vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
Most users think SQuirreL SQL is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.
Guest
It works perfectly on Linux. Nice and comfortable to work with.
Positive comment•
1
DbGate
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Database Manager
Relational Database
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
145 alternatives to DbGate
DbGate is cross-platform database manager. Simple and effective, allowing to work with many various databases simultaneously - SQL and NoSQL.
Suggest and vote on features
DbGate Features
1. AutocompletionDbGate can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
2. Ad-freeDbGate doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. LightweightDbGate consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Support for MS SQL Server
ER Diagrams
SQLite
MongoDB
Support for MariaDB
Tableplus
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Database Manager
Mac
Windows
74 alternatives to Tableplus
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Tableplus Features
1. Dark ModeTableplus supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Data-management
Tableplus vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Too basic, too few admin features
Negative comment•
0