Compare software

SQL Server Management Studio vs SQL Server (mssql) extension for VS Code: catalog facts
SQL Server Management Studio	SQL Server (mssql) extension for VS Code
Free Free to download from Microsoft.	Free Free and open source from Microsoft.
Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Official Microsoft tool for SQL Server and Azure SQL Query editor, scripting and administration in one place	Query SQL Server and Azure SQL from inside VS Code Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
Windows only Focused on Microsoft database platforms	Requires Visual Studio Code Focused on SQL Server and Azure SQL only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Open source
License: Proprietary	License not stated
No account 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.