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SQL Server Management Studio vs sqlcmd: catalog facts
SQL Server Management Studio	sqlcmd
Free Free to download from Microsoft.	Free Free and open source under the MIT licence.
Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Official Microsoft tool for SQL Server and Azure SQL Query editor, scripting and administration in one place	Runs queries and scripts against SQL Server and Azure SQL Can spin up a local SQL Server instance
Windows only Focused on Microsoft database platforms	Limited to Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Command-line only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License: Proprietary	License: MIT
No account needed	No account 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 1, 2026

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