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Oracle SQL Developer vs SQL*Plus (Oracle Instant Client): catalog facts
Oracle SQL Developer	SQL*Plus (Oracle Instant Client)
Free Free to download and use from Oracle.	Free Free to download and use under Oracle's Instant Client licence.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, Linux, Command line
Full PL/SQL IDE with worksheet and DBA console Built-in data modeling	Lightweight install compared with a full Oracle client Runs SQL and PL/SQL directly from the terminal
Focused on Oracle Database Java application, not open source	Only works with Oracle Database Proprietary licence
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Closed source
License: Proprietary	License: Proprietary (Oracle Instant Client licence)
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.