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SQL Developer VS SQL Server Management Studio

Compare SQL Developer VS SQL Server Management Studio and see what are their differences

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.

SQL Server Management Studio logo SQL Server Management Studio

SSMS is a software application that is used for configuring, managing, and administering all...
  • SQL Developer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-28
  • SQL Server Management Studio Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14

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.

SQL Server Management Studio features and specs

  • Comprehensive Interface
    SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) provides a comprehensive and user-friendly interface for managing SQL Server instances. It includes features like query execution, database design, and server management all in one tool.
  • Intelligent Code Completion
    SSMS has IntelliSense, which helps with code completion, syntax highlighting, and real-time error checking, improving developer productivity and reducing errors.
  • Integration with Azure
    SSMS seamlessly integrates with Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse Analytics, enabling users to manage cloud-based databases and data warehouses effectively.
  • Built-in Performance Tuning Tools
    SSMS includes built-in tools for performance tuning and troubleshooting, such as Database Engine Tuning Advisor and Extended Events, helping DBAs optimize database performance.
  • Security Management
    The tool provides robust security management features, including user authentication, authorization, and activity monitoring to ensure data protection.
  • Free to Use
    SSMS is free to download and use, providing a cost-effective solution for managing SQL Server instances without additional software expenses.

Possible disadvantages of SQL Server Management Studio

  • Performance Issues
    Users sometimes report that SSMS can be slow or become unresponsive, especially when dealing with large databases or complex queries.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    While comprehensive, the extensive feature set of SSMS may require a significant investment of time and effort to learn, particularly for beginners.
  • Limited Support for Non-Microsoft Databases
    SSMS is primarily designed for SQL Server, which means it has limited support for other database management systems. This can be a drawback for users working in multi-DBMS environments.
  • Resource Intensive
    The application can be resource-intensive, consuming considerable system memory and CPU, which can affect the performance of other applications running on the same machine.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users have reported encountering bugs and glitches in SSMS, which can disrupt workflow and necessitate workarounds or waiting for updates from Microsoft.
  • Lack of Advanced Collaboration Features
    SSMS lacks advanced collaboration features found in other modern IDEs, such as real-time co-editing and built-in version control system integration, which could be beneficial for development teams.

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.

Analysis of SQL Server Management Studio

Overall verdict

  • SQL Server Management Studio is considered a good tool for SQL Server database administration due to its wide range of features, ease of use, and integration with other Microsoft products and services. It is regularly updated, ensuring compatibility and access to the latest features.

Why this product is good

  • SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a comprehensive and user-friendly tool designed for managing SQL Server databases. It provides a robust interface for database administrators and developers, featuring capabilities such as query editing, database design, and performance tuning. The integration with SQL Server ensures smooth management of relational databases with support for T-SQL, essential debugging tools, and advanced analysis services.

Recommended for

  • Database Administrators seeking efficient database management tools.
  • Developers requiring a comprehensive environment for SQL query design and execution.
  • Organizations leveraging Microsoft SQL Server for data management.
  • Data Analysts who need to perform complex queries and extract insights from SQL Server databases.

SQL Developer videos

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

SQL Server Management Studio videos

SQL Server Management Studio Intro

More videos:

  • Review - Tips and Tricks for Using SQL Server Management Studio Effectively

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SQL Developer and SQL Server Management Studio)
Database Management
76 76%
24% 24
Databases
73 73%
27% 27
MySQL Tools
70 70%
30% 30
Database Tools
76 76%
24% 24

User comments

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Reviews

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

SQL Developer Reviews

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
40 Open Source, Free and Top Unified Modeling Language (UML) Tools
Oracle SQL Developer is a free integrated development environment that simplifies the development and management of Oracle Database in both traditional and Cloud deployments. SQL Developer offers complete end-to-end development of PL/SQL applications, a worksheet for running queries and scripts, a DBA console for managing the database, a reports interface, a complete data...

SQL Server Management Studio Reviews

We have no reviews of SQL Server Management Studio yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SQL Server Management Studio seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times 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.

SQL Developer mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SQL Developer yet. Tracking of SQL Developer recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SQL Server Management Studio mentions (2)

  • What should I do?
    (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssms/download-sql-server-management-studio-ssms) [AdventureWorks Sample Database ]. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Practicing with SQL for free
    Azure is unnecessary. You can use sql server (developer) together with sql server management studio. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SQL Developer and SQL Server Management Studio, you can also consider the following products

DBeaver - DBeaver - Universal Database Manager and SQL Client.

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

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

DbVisualizer - DbVisualizer is the universal database tool for developers, DBAs and analysts.

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

MySQL Workbench - MySQL Workbench is a unified visual tool for database architects, developers, and DBAs.