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PL/SQL Developer VS SQL Developer

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

PL/SQL Developer logo PL/SQL Developer

PL/SQL Developer is an Integrated Development Environment that is specifically targeted at the...

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.
  • PL/SQL Developer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-01-12
  • SQL Developer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-28

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.

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.

PL/SQL Developer videos

Database Developer vs PL/SQL Developer | Salary, Growth, Role & Responsibilities- ft. Ankush Jain ๐Ÿ”ฅ

SQL Developer videos

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PL/SQL Developer and SQL Developer)
Databases
13 13%
87% 87
Database Management
8 8%
92% 92
Database Tools
21 21%
79% 79
MySQL Tools
13 13%
87% 87

User comments

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Reviews

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

PL/SQL Developer Reviews

Bestย Oracle Database Tools for Developers and DBAsย [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

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 PL/SQL Developer and SQL Developer, you can also consider the following products

DataGrip - Tool for SQL and databases

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

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.

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

Toad for Oracle - Toad is an industry-standard tool for application development.

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