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SQLTools vs SQL Server (mssql) extension for VS Code: catalog facts
SQLTools	SQL Server (mssql) extension for VS Code
Free Free, open-source extension maintained with community contributions.	Free Free and open source from Microsoft.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Works inside VS Code alongside your code Pluggable drivers cover many databases, including community ones	Query SQL Server and Azure SQL from inside VS Code Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
Requires VS Code Support for some databases depends on third-party drivers of varying quality	Requires Visual Studio Code Focused on SQL Server and Azure SQL only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	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 October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

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