Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

dbForge SQL Tools VS SQL Developer

Compare dbForge SQL Tools VS SQL Developer and see what are their differences

dbForge SQL Tools logo dbForge SQL Tools

SQL Server tools for SQL database development

SQL Developer logo SQL Developer

Oracle SQL Developer is a free, development environment that simplifies the management of Oracle Database in both traditional and Cloud deployments.
  • dbForge SQL Tools Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-17

SQL Tools is a tool pack that provides many essential features for any Microsoft SQL Server developer and is designed not only to boost productivity but also to reduce expenses while performing routine tasks, and automate database development and deployment with dbForge DevOps Automation.

  • SQL Developer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-28

dbForge SQL Tools features and specs

  • Comprehensive Suite
    dbForge SQL Tools offers a comprehensive suite of tools for SQL Server development, management, and administration. This integration enhances productivity by providing all necessary tools in one package.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tools are designed with an intuitive and user-friendly interface that simplifies complex database tasks, making them accessible even to less experienced users.
  • Advanced Code Completion
    Advanced code completion and syntax check features help in reducing errors and speeding up the SQL coding process for developers.
  • Efficient Data Management
    Tools for data comparison, synchronization, and data import/export allow for efficient management of large volumes of data across databases.
  • Collaboration Features
    Offers excellent collaboration features, enabling team members to work seamlessly on database projects, improving efficiency and teamwork.
  • Customization and Integration
    Provides customization options and integrates well with other Devart tools and external applications, enhancing its usability and flexibility.

SQL Developer features and specs

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    SQL Developer offers extensive tools for database development and management, including advanced SQL editing, data modeling, and fully integrated version control.
  • Free to Use
    SQL Developer is available as a free tool, which allows developers and database administrators to utilize its capabilities without the need for additional budget.
  • Integration with Oracle Products
    Seamlessly integrates with other Oracle products and services, providing a cohesive environment for users within Oracle's ecosystem.
  • Cross-Platform
    SQL Developer is available for multiple platforms including Windows, MacOS, and Linux, allowing flexibility in terms of development environments.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool features a highly intuitive and user-friendly graphical interface that simplifies database management tasks.
  • Robust Community and Support
    Boasts a strong, active community and extensive official documentation, making it easier to find solutions to problems and best practices.

Possible disadvantages of SQL Developer

  • Resource Intensive
    SQL Developer can be quite resource-intensive, requiring a significant amount of RAM and processing power, which may affect performance on less powerful machines.
  • Performance Issues with Large Datasets
    Performance can degrade when working with very large datasets, leading to slower query execution and application responsiveness.
  • Oracle-Centric
    While it does support other databases like MySQL and SQL Server, its features and optimizations are primarily geared towards Oracle Database, potentially limiting its utility with other databases.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The extensive feature set can result in a steep learning curve for beginners who are not familiar with advanced database management and development concepts.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users have reported occasional stability issues and bugs, which can disrupt workflow and require restarts or workarounds.
  • Limited Collaboration Features
    Lacks advanced collaboration tools, making it less effective for teams that require robust version control and collaborative features directly within the tool.

Analysis of SQL Developer

Overall verdict

  • Yes, SQL Developer is considered a good tool by many professionals in the industry. It is widely used due to its versatility and the strong support system that Oracle provides. For developers who work extensively with Oracle databases, SQL Developer can be an invaluable resource, offering tools and functionalities that enhance productivity and facilitate effective database management.

Why this product is good

  • SQL Developer by Oracle is designed as an integrated development environment (IDE) specifically for working with SQL, PL/SQL, Stored Procedures, and other database-related applications. It provides a user-friendly interface for database management, which covers aspects such as running queries, creating and editing database objects, and managing performance. The software is highly regarded for its robust feature set, including built-in reporting tools, data modeling capabilities, and support for version control systems, making it a comprehensive tool for database developers.

Recommended for

  • Database administrators who manage Oracle databases.
  • Developers who write and test SQL, PL/SQL, and other database scripts.
  • Data analysts and architects who require advanced data modeling tools.
  • IT professionals who need reliable, supported database management solutions.
  • Organizations already integrated into the Oracle ecosystem.

dbForge SQL Tools videos

dbForge SQL Tools โ€“ 15 essential SQL Server development tools in one package

SQL Developer videos

SQL Developer Course Review | York Uni. Canada Student | RedBush Technologies

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to dbForge SQL Tools and SQL Developer)
Database Management
11 11%
89% 89
Database Tools
27 27%
73% 73
Databases
12 12%
88% 88
MySQL Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using dbForge SQL Tools and SQL Developer. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare dbForge SQL Tools and SQL Developer

dbForge SQL Tools Reviews

Best SQL Server Development Tools for Developers and DBAs (2026)
Devartโ€™s dbForge SQL Tools is a professional solution built to cover SQL Server work end-to-end inside one ecosystem. Itโ€™s designed for developers and DBAs who spend time writing complex queries, comparing schemas and data across environments, and deploying changes without turning every release into a manual checklist.
Source: quickref.me
Top Free SQL Database Software and GUI Tools
A significant advantage of SSMS lies in its extensibility through specialized add-ins. In addition to its own collection of plugins, SSMS supports third-party add-ins, offering the opportunity to enhance the standard functionality. Notably, the dbForge SQL Tools package stands out as a comprehensive suite of 15 add-ins for SSMS, introducing a plethora of new options to the...
Source: www.devart.com

SQL Developer Reviews

Bestย Oracle Database Tools for Developers and DBAsย [Free & Paid]
Oracle SQL Developer is the primary client software for Oracle Database, developed and supported directly by Oracle Corporation. As the official tool, it provides full support for all Oracle versions, both on-premises and in the cloud, with regular updates and patches from the vendor.
Source: blog.devart.com
Top Free SQL Database Software and GUI Tools
Oracle SQL Developer, created by Oracle Corporation, serves as the default graphical user interface (GUI) client for Oracle Database, both on-premises and cloud-based.
Source: www.devart.com
7 Best Oracle GUI Tools for Windows or macOSโ€‹โ€‹
Oracle SQL Developer, provided by Oracle Corporation, stands as the official integrated development environment for Oracle Database. It comes at no extra charge with any Oracle Database license and provides a comprehensive array of tools for database developers and administrators, catering to on-premises and cloud platforms, and offering various connection methods.
Source: www.devart.com
Best Database Testing Tools in 2025
Oracle SQL Developer is a comprehensive IDE from Oracle designed for database developers, DBAs, and analysts who work with Oracle Database. It has over 5 million users globally, thus becoming one of the most widely adopted tools for Oracle database development. Oracle SQL Developer offers a rich set of features for querying, debugging, database modeling, testing, and...
Source: www.devart.com
9 Best Database Software For Mac [Reviewed & Ranked]
Built by a major company in the database systems market, Oracle, this is their official database client you can use to connect to their SQL servers. The Oracle SQL Developer tool is free for Mac and is a full IDE that simplifies the development and management of your Oracle database system.
Source: alvarotrigo.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing dbForge SQL Tools and SQL Developer, you can also consider the following products

SQL Admin Toolset - Database Administration for SQL Server - Database administrators need simple and quick ways to manage their SQL Server environment.

phpMyAdmin - phpMyAdmin is a tool written in PHP intended to handle the administration of MySQL over the Web.

dbForge Documenter for SQL Server - dbForge Documenter for SQL Server is a new database documentation tool

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

dbForge Monitor - dbForge Monitor is a FREE add-in for Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio that allows you to track and analyse SQL server performance.

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