Software Alternatives & Startups

ApexSQL Refactor VS PL/SQL Developer

Compare ApexSQL Refactor VS PL/SQL Developer and see what are their differences

ApexSQL Refactor logo ApexSQL Refactor

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

PL/SQL Developer logo PL/SQL Developer

PL/SQL Developer is an Integrated Development Environment that is specifically targeted at the...
  • ApexSQL Refactor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • PL/SQL Developer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-01-12

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.

PL/SQL Developer features and specs

  • Integrated Development Environment
    PL/SQL Developer provides a comprehensive IDE specifically tailored for database development, offering tools for code editing, debugging, and analysis within a single interface.
  • Oracle Database Optimization
    The software is optimized for Oracle databases, providing tools and features specifically designed for effective Oracle PL/SQL development.
  • Debugging and Testing Tools
    It offers robust debugging and testing functionalities such as breakpoints, stack tracing, and unit tests, helping developers troubleshoot and refine their code efficiently.
  • SQL Window
    The SQL Window feature allows developers to execute SQL queries and scripts quickly and view results immediately, enhancing productivity.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing developers familiar and new to the tool to start working effectively with minimal learning curve.

Possible disadvantages of PL/SQL Developer

  • Limited Cross-Platform Support
    PL/SQL Developer is primarily available for Windows, which can be a limitation for developers using other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Cost
    The tool is a commercial product, which may not be feasible for all budgets or individual developers considering open-source alternatives.
  • Resource Intensive
    Some users report that PL/SQL Developer can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting performance on lower-spec machines.
  • Dependency on Oracle
    Being specialized for Oracle database development, it might not be suitable for developers working on environments involving multiple database technologies.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, mastering advanced features and capabilities of the tool may require additional time and learning.

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

ApexSQL Refactor videos

An introduction to ApexSQL Refactor

More videos:

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

PL/SQL Developer videos

Database Developer vs PL/SQL Developer | Salary, Growth, Role & Responsibilities- ft. Ankush Jain 🔥

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ApexSQL Refactor and PL/SQL Developer)
Database Management
38 38%
62% 62
Databases
31 31%
69% 69
Database Tools
0 0%
100% 100
SQL Tools
100 100%
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 PL/SQL Developer

ApexSQL Refactor Reviews

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PL/SQL Developer Reviews

Best Oracle Database Tools for Developers and DBAs [Free & Paid]
The software delivers robust functionality in a user-friendly interface. With advanced coding assistance, integration with version control systems, data analysis and reporting, and more, PL/SQL Developer stands out as a versatile and reliable tool that helps its users to boost performance significantly.
Source: blog.devart.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ApexSQL Refactor and PL/SQL Developer, 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!

SQL Developer - Oracle SQL Developer is a free, development environment that simplifies the management of Oracle Database in both traditional and Cloud deployments.

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

DataGrip - Tool for SQL and databases

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

dbForge Studio for Oracle - dbForge Studio for Oracle is a powerful IDE used by Oracle SQL developers to development, administration, management, and synchronization of Oracle databases via a handy GUI.