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ApexSQL Refactor VS Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server

Compare ApexSQL Refactor VS Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

ApexSQL Refactor logo ApexSQL Refactor

ApexSQL Refactor is a free SQL formatter and database refactoring tool for SQL Server.

Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server logo Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server

dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a powerful SQL Server GUI Tool for SQL Server database management, administration, development, datareporting and analysis.
  • ApexSQL Refactor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server Landing page - dbForge Studio for SQL Server
    Landing page - dbForge Studio for SQL Server //
    2025-12-10

dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a powerful IDE for SQL Server management, administration, development, data reporting, analysis, and a lot more.

SQL developers and DBAs performing complex database tasks can use the GUI tool to speed up almost any database experience, such as designing databases, writing SQL code, comparing databases, synchronizing schemas and data, generating meaningful test data, and much more.

ApexSQL Refactor features and specs

  • Improved Code Readability
    ApexSQL Refactor formats SQL code, helping to improve readability and maintainability by ensuring consistent styling.
  • Productivity Enhancements
    The tool automates repetitive refactoring tasks, allowing developers to focus on more complex issues and speeding up the development process.
  • Code Analysis
    It includes features for analyzing code to ensure it adheres to best practices, potentially reducing bugs and improving performance.
  • Integration
    Seamlessly integrates with SQL Server Management Studio, which is familiar to many developers, requiring less time to adapt.

Possible disadvantages of ApexSQL Refactor

  • Learning Curve
    Initial setup and learning to use all features can be time-consuming for new users unfamiliar with the tool.
  • Potential Overhead
    Some users might find the addition of another tool into their workflow adds complexity and overhead, depending on the current environment.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running the tool can be resource-intensive, possibly affecting performance, especially on systems with limited resources.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While useful for basic refactoring, advanced users might find it lacks certain deep refactoring capabilities compared to other specialized tools.

Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    Devart Studio for SQL Server provides a broad range of tools including database design, development, management, and administration, which cater to various needs of SQL Server users.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software offers an intuitive and modern interface that simplifies the complexity of database tasks, making it accessible to both novice and experienced DBAs and developers.
  • Advanced Data Analysis and Reporting
    It includes powerful data analysis, profiling, and reporting tools that allow users to generate comprehensive reports and insights, thereby enhancing data-driven decision-making.
  • Automation Capabilities
    With features like the built-in task scheduler, users can automate routine database tasks such as backups, monitoring, and report generation, improving efficiency and reliability.
  • Integration with Source Control
    The integration with popular source control systems like Git, SVN, and TFS allows for version control and collaborative development, which is crucial for maintaining code quality and consistency.
  • Performance Optimization Tools
    It comes with tools for query optimization, index management, and performance tuning, helping users to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in their databases.

Analysis of ApexSQL Refactor

Overall verdict

  • ApexSQL Refactor is a solid, free SQL code formatting and refactoring tool that integrates directly into SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio, making it a valuable productivity add-in for T-SQL developers and DBAs.

Why this product is good

  • It's completely free, offering excellent value for teams and individuals working with SQL Server
  • Integrates seamlessly with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and Visual Studio
  • Provides extensive code formatting options with over 160 customizable formatting rules
  • Includes useful refactoring capabilities like safe object renaming, splitting tables, and encapsulating code as stored procedures
  • Helps enforce consistent coding standards across development teams
  • Offers features like adding surrogate keys, replacing one-to-many relationships, and object dependency tracking

Recommended for

  • SQL Server developers who want to standardize and clean up T-SQL code
  • Database administrators managing schema changes and refactoring tasks
  • Development teams needing consistent SQL formatting and coding conventions
  • Users of SSMS or Visual Studio looking for a free formatting add-in
  • Organizations wanting to improve code readability and maintainability without extra cost

Analysis of Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server

Overall verdict

  • Devart Studio for SQL Server is generally considered a good tool for database professionals. Its feature-rich environment and ease of use make it a valuable asset for managing SQL Server databases effectively.

Why this product is good

  • Devart Studio for SQL Server is a widely appreciated tool due to its comprehensive suite of features designed to simplify and enhance database management. It offers an intuitive user interface, robust functionality for data analysis, and efficient tools for database design. The application integrates well with SQL Server, providing users with capabilities such as query building, database synchronization, and automated routine database tasks.

Recommended for

  • Database Administrators
  • Data Analysts
  • SQL Developers
  • IT Professionals managing SQL Server environments
  • Teams looking to automate SQL database tasks

ApexSQL Refactor videos

+ Add

An introduction to ApexSQL Refactor

More videos:

  • Review - ApexSQL Refactor - Using the "Convert to code" feature

Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server videos

+ Add

Powerful SQL Manager Tool & IDE for MS SQL Server Databases - dbForge Studio for SQL Server

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ApexSQL Refactor and Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server)

ApexSQL Refactor

Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server

Databases
100 100%
Databases
0% 0
Database Tools
0 0%
Database Tools
100% 100
Database Management
18 18%
Database Management
82% 82
SQL Tools
100 100%
SQL Tools
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ApexSQL Refactor and Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server

ApexSQL Refactor Reviews

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Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server Reviews

Best SQL Manager Tools for Database Development in 2026
dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a full-featured SQL Server and Azure SQL development and management environment used for day-to-day database work. It combines query editing, schema and data comparison, performance diagnostics, and deployment tools in one IDE, reducing the need to switch between multiple utilities. The platform also includes an AI Assistant that can...
Source: www.tycoonstory.com
Top SQL Data Tools: Alternatives to SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)
Microsoft SQL Server tools remain essential, but modern database teams often need more flexibility, optimization, and cross-platform support. Whether it's advanced performance tuning, multi-database management, or cloud integration, alternatives like dbForge Studio for SQL Server, Azure Data Studio, and DataGrip provide powerful enhancements.
Source: www.devart.com
Best Database Diagram Tools โ€“ Free and Paid
dbForge Studio for SQL Server is an enterprise-grade IDE and one of the most complete SQL visual schema tools available for SQL Server database professionals. It brings together visual database design, SQL editing, data comparison, source control, and CI/CD toolsโ€”all inside a single, unified desktop environment.
Source: blog.devart.com
Best SQL Server GUI Tools for Database Management on macOS
dbForge Studio for SQL Server is an all-around Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically crafted for Microsoft SQL Server. A highly functional and user-friendly solution addresses all essential tasks related to the development, management, and administration of both on-premise and cloud-based SQL Server databases. Its intuitive graphical user interface (GUI)...
Source: blog.devart.com
7 Best SQL Database Viewer Tools
Viewing an SQL database involves opening the database file with a compatible viewer or management tool. Tools like dbForge Studio for SQL Server allow you to connect to a database server and explore the entire database schema. You can inspect tables, view data, run queries, and generate reports. If youโ€™re working with a local file, tools like DB Browser for SQLite or Aryson...
Source: blog.devart.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ApexSQL Refactor and Devart dbForge Studio for SQL Server, you can also consider the following products

dbForge SQL Complete - Try Intellisense functionality and Improved SQL Formatter in SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio using SQL Complete!

DataGrip - Tool for SQL and databases

SQL Prompt - SQL Prompt Pro strips away the repetition of coding by making writing, formatting, and refactoring...

DbVisualizer - DbVisualizer is the universal database client and SQL tool built for developers, analysts, DBAs, data engineers, and anyone working with data.

ApexSQL Diff - SQL compare - Compare SQL schemas from databases, backups, scripts and source control

Navicat - Powerful database management & design tool for Win, Mac & Linux. With intuitive GUI, user manages MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle & PostgreSQL DB easily.

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