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DataGrip VS ApexSQL Refactor

Compare DataGrip VS ApexSQL Refactor and see what are their differences

DataGrip logo DataGrip

Tool for SQL and databases

ApexSQL Refactor logo ApexSQL Refactor

ApexSQL Refactor is a free SQL formatter and database refactoring tool for SQL Server.
  • DataGrip Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-16
  • ApexSQL Refactor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21

DataGrip features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Support
    DataGrip runs on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility across various development environments.
  • Intelligent Query Console
    The query console offers code completion, syntax highlighting, and on-the-fly error detection, making SQL coding faster and more accurate.
  • Database Support
    Supports a wide range of databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle, and many others, allowing users to manage different database systems within one tool.
  • Data Visualization
    Provides powerful data visualization tools, including table and schema views, which help in understanding and managing the data more effectively.
  • Refactoring Tools
    Includes advanced refactoring capabilities such as renaming, changing column types, and finding usages, which help maintain and update databases with ease.
  • Version Control Systems Integration
    Integrates with popular VCS systems like Git and SVN, allowing for seamless code versioning and collaboration.
  • Customizable Interface
    Highly customizable interface with various themes and layout configurations that adapt to different working styles and preferences.

Possible disadvantages of DataGrip

  • Cost
    DataGrip is a commercial tool and requires a subscription, which may be a significant cost for individual developers or small teams.
  • Resource Intensive
    Tends to consume a considerable amount of system resources, which may affect performance on less powerful machines.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The tool offers a wide range of features and customizations that can be overwhelming for beginners and may require time to learn and master.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users have reported occasional bugs and instability issues, which can disrupt workflow and productivity.
  • Limited Non-SQL Database Support
    Primarily designed for SQL databases and has limited support or features for non-SQL databases compared to specialized tools.
  • Complex Configuration
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex, particularly when integrating with various databases and external tools.

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.

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

DataGrip videos

DataGrip Introduction

ApexSQL Refactor videos

An introduction to ApexSQL Refactor

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DataGrip and ApexSQL Refactor)
Database Management
97 97%
3% 3
Databases
96 96%
4% 4
Database Tools
100 100%
0% 0
SQL Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare DataGrip and ApexSQL Refactor

DataGrip Reviews

Top 10 SQL GUI Tools for Teams in 2026
The best SQL GUI is the one that fits your teamโ€™s work. If you need to work with multiple database platforms, dbForge Edge has one of the most complete feature sets. DBeaver is great for mixed database environments . DataGrip is best for SQL development . Navicat Premium, DbVisualizer, Aqua Data Studio, Toad Data Studio, RazorSQL, TablePlus and Beekeeper Studio all serve...
Best pgAdmin Alternatives in 2026
DataGrip brings the JetBrains development experience to SQL. If you already use IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, or Rider, the editor will feel immediately familiar, with intelligent code completion, refactoring, and navigation across PostgreSQL and more than 25 other database engines. Version 2026.2 expands those capabilities with AI agent skills and MCP tools. It offers the...
Top 5 GUI Tools for PostgreSQL in 2026: Best Postgres GUI Clients Compared
DataGrip is JetBrainsโ€™ database GUI and SQL IDE for developers who spend most of their time writing and debugging queries. It functions as a capable Postgres SQL client, focusing on query editing, schema navigation, refactoring, and cross-database workflows rather than PostgreSQL administration.
Source: stackademic.com
Best SQL Development Tools for Writing, Testing, and Optimizing Queries (2026)
JetBrains DataGrip provides a dedicated SQL IDE designed for developers who work with multiple database systems. It offers intelligent SQL editing, schema navigation, and query analysis tools that help developers write and troubleshoot SQL more efficiently. Unlike tools focused only on SQL Server, DataGrip supports many database engines from a single interface, making it...
Source: quasa.io
Best SQL Manager Tools for Database Development in 2026
DataGrip is JetBrainsโ€™ database IDE specifically designed for SQL development. The focus is on the query editing experience, with smart code completion, refactoring tools, and live SQL analysis. The tool works with many database platforms and integrates into JetBrainsโ€™ broader developer ecosystem. While DataGrip is a powerful tool for writing and exploring queries, it is...

ApexSQL Refactor Reviews

We have no reviews of ApexSQL Refactor yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DataGrip seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DataGrip mentions (1)

  • Which Is The Best PostgreSQL GUI? 2021 Comparison
    DataGrip is a cross-platform integrated development environment (IDE) that supports multiple database environments. The most important thing to note about DataGrip is that it's developed by JetBrains, one of the leading brands for developing IDEs. If you have ever used PhpStorm, IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, you won't need an introduction on how good JetBrains IDEs are. - Source: dev.to / over 5 years ago

ApexSQL Refactor mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ApexSQL Refactor yet. Tracking of ApexSQL Refactor recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DataGrip and ApexSQL Refactor, you can also consider the following products

DBeaver - DBeaver - Universal Database Manager and SQL Client.

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

HeidiSQL - HeidiSQL is a powerful and easy client for MySQL, MariaDB, Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL. Open source and entirely free to use.

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