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Free SQL Server Management Studio Alternatives

The best free alternative to SQL Server Management Studio is DBeaver, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to SQL Server Management Studio and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to SQL Server Management Studio are Azure Data Studio, HeidiSQL, SQuirreL SQL and Valentina Studio.

SQL Server Management Studio alternatives are mainly Database Managers but may also be Business Intelligence Tools. 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 May 29, 2022
SQL Server Management Studio
  43
  • Free • Proprietary
  • 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

  1. DBeaver - Universal Database Manager and SQL Client. DBeaver is free and open source (GPL) universal database tool for developers and database administrators.

    DBeaver vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
    Most users think DBeaver is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

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

    Positive comment • over 4 years ago
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    5

    Installs SQL Server plugin automatically and works fine.

    Positive comment • almost 5 years ago
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    0

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

    Positive comment • over 3 years ago
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    0

  2. 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.

    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  about 4 years ago
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    2

    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  over 4 years ago
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    0

    Don't allow schema diagrams

    Top negative comment  over 2 years ago
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    0

    It runs on the Mac. I have not tested the other ones.

    Positive comment • over 2 years ago
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    0

    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 • about 3 years ago
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    1

    There are a number of extensions available for AzureOperationsstudio that help with managing the SQL server.

    Positive comment • about 3 years ago
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    1
    dbunch

    Preview for Windows has functionality of SSMS + better look-and-feel. For folks unaccustomed to writing/comprehending VS Code, some configuration tasks like adjusting interface settings may be a challenge.

    Positive comment • almost 4 years ago
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    0
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    7 of 8 comments

  4. 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.

    HeidiSQL vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
    Most users think HeidiSQL is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

    is resolved my problem with SSMS

    Positive comment • over 5 years ago
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    0

    Can generate DB creation scripts with data and schema

    Positive comment • over 5 years ago
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    -1
    gabrielepetteno

    Easy light and simple to use!

    Positive comment • about 2 years ago
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    0

  5. SQuirreL SQL

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    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.

    SQuirreL SQL vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
    Most users think SQuirreL SQL is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

    It works perfectly on Linux. Nice and comfortable to work with.

    Positive comment • about 4 years ago
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    1

  6. 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.

    Valentina Studio vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
    Most users think Valentina Studio is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

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

    Positive comment • about 4 years ago
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    1
    uniphonic

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

    Positive comment • almost 5 years ago
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    0

  8. Beekeeper studio

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • MySQL Community Edition
    • MariaDB
    • Microsoft SQL Server
    • CockroachDB
    • Amazon Redshift
    • PostgreSQL

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

  9. mssql for Visual Studio Code

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    A Visual Studio Code extension for developing Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL Database and SQL Data Warehouse everywhere with a rich set of functionalities, including:

    Most users think mssql for Visual Studio Code is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.

  10. Database .NET

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    • Free Personal • Proprietary
    • Windows

    Database .NET is an innovative, powerful and intuitive multiple database management tool.

    Database .NET vs SQL Server Management Studio opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Database .NET is a great alternative to SQL Server Management Studio.
    vlaker

    Has all the features like viewing indexes, copying data from one database to another, similar to SSMS in a free, light package.

    Positive comment • over 5 years ago
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    1

  11. PopSQL

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    • Freemium • Proprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    PopSQL is a modern SQL editor for teams that lets you write queries, visualize data, and share your results.

  12. WinSQL

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    • Free Personal • Proprietary
    • Windows

    WinSQL is universal database management tool that can be used with any relational database to perform administrative tasks such as importing/exporting data, generating test data, reverse engineering an existing database, comparing schema and data between databases or simply...

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Showing 10 of 22 alternatives