Alternatives to SQL Server Management Studio

Microsoft's free environment for connecting to, querying and managing SQL Server and Azure SQL databases. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as SQL Server Management Studio.

  • DataGrip

    Multi-database IDE with an intelligent SQL console and schema navigation.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    DataGrip is a cross-platform multi-database IDE with schema-aware completion and schema comparison, but it requires a paid subscription.

  • DBeaver Community

    One database client for more than a hundred databases, with a proper SQL editor and ER diagrams.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    DBeaver is open source and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with more than a hundred drivers, but it offers less Microsoft-specific administration than SSMS.

  • dbForge Studio

    A family of commercial database IDEs for SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle and PostgreSQL.

    PaidProprietaryWindows

    dbForge Studio has a dedicated SQL Server edition with an AI assistant on Windows, but it is proprietary and paid after the trial.

  • Navicat Premium

    A commercial desktop client for building, querying and managing many database engines from one application.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    Navicat Premium is a paid commercial client for many database engines on Windows, macOS and Linux, with data synchronization and modeling tools.

  • DbVisualizer

    A cross-platform database client and SQL tool that connects to many relational and NoSQL databases.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    DbVisualizer is a cross-platform client for many relational and NoSQL databases with an AI assistant, closed source with advanced features in the paid Pro edition.

  • HeidiSQL

    A long-running Windows client for MariaDB, MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite and Firebird, small and quick.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinux

    HeidiSQL is a small, free, open-source native client that handles SQL Server among other engines, with Windows and Linux builds but fewer administration features.

  • TablePlus

    Native database client for many engines with a clean interface.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxiOS

    TablePlus is a native multi-engine client on Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS, freemium with limited tabs and connections, and lighter on administration.

  • Beekeeper Studio

    A SQL client that is pleasant to look at and works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Beekeeper Studio is an open-source cross-platform SQL client with a clean interface, but it has fewer administration tools and uses Electron.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.