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ApexSQL Refactor VS SQL Doc by Red Gate

Compare ApexSQL Refactor VS SQL Doc by Red Gate 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.

SQL Doc by Red Gate logo SQL Doc by Red Gate

Document your databases automatically.
  • ApexSQL Refactor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • SQL Doc by Red Gate Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-12

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.

SQL Doc by Red Gate features and specs

  • Automation
    SQL Doc automates the creation of database documentation, reducing the manual effort required to produce comprehensive documentation.
  • Integration
    Seamlessly integrates with SQL Server Management Studio, allowing users to generate and update documentation without leaving their primary development environment.
  • Customizable Output
    Offers customizable options for document output, including HTML, PDF, Word, and more, enabling users to produce documentation that meets specific format requirements.
  • Cross-Database Support
    Supports multiple versions of SQL Server, allowing users to document databases across different environments and projects.
  • Detailed Documentation
    Generates detailed and comprehensive documentation, including tables, views, stored procedures, and functions, ensuring all database elements are covered.
  • Ease of Use
    User-friendly interface makes it accessible to both technical and non-technical users, facilitating ease of use and adoption.

Possible disadvantages of SQL Doc by Red Gate

  • Cost
    Being a commercial product, it requires a purchase, which may not be ideal for smaller teams or projects with tight budgets.
  • Performance
    Generating documentation for larger databases can be resource-intensive and may take considerable time, potentially impacting system performance.
  • Learning Curve
    Although generally user-friendly, there may be a learning curve for users who are new to Red Gate's suite of tools or database documentation software.
  • Dependency
    It creates a dependency on a third-party tool for documentation, which could be a concern if long-term tool sustainability and support are uncertain.
  • Limited Customization
    While it offers some customization options, users seeking highly tailored documentation may find the flexibility limiting compared to manual documentation efforts.

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

SQL Doc by Red Gate videos

No SQL Doc by Red Gate videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ApexSQL Refactor and SQL Doc by Red Gate)
Databases
48 48%
52% 52
Database Management
54 54%
46% 46
Database Tools
0 0%
100% 100
SQL
50 50%
50% 50

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ApexSQL Refactor and SQL Doc by Red Gate, 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!

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

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

Database Note Taker - Now FREE. A simple and powerful database documentation tool for sql server and mysql databases.

Dataedo - Database documentation tool

DataGrip - Tool for SQL and databases