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SQL Server (mssql) extension for VS Code vs SQL Server Management Studio: catalog facts
SQL Server (mssql) extension for VS Code	SQL Server Management Studio
Free Free and open source from Microsoft.	Free Free to download from Microsoft.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Query SQL Server and Azure SQL from inside VS Code Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux	Official Microsoft tool for SQL Server and Azure SQL Query editor, scripting and administration in one place
Requires Visual Studio Code Focused on SQL Server and Azure SQL only	Windows only Focused on Microsoft database platforms
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License not stated	License: Proprietary
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

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