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I was wondering if there are any alternatives to Microsoft's SQL Server Management Studio?

Not there's anything wrong with SSMS, but sometimes it just seem too big an application where all I want todo is browse/edit tables and run queries.

Álvaro González
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GateKiller
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    Is there not a command prompt utility for this like mysql has? – Kevin Aug 07 '08 at 20:20
  • @Kevin: check osql and sqlcmd – Piotr Owsiak Apr 02 '12 at 13:15
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    Let me fix that for you. *Everything* is wrong with SSMS for SQL Server 2012. It installs all sorts of unnecessary bloat-ware like PowerShell for VS **2010** (fer krissake!) and is slathered with the same clown makeup as Windows Vista. – jerhewet Oct 29 '13 at 22:52
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    Moderators, can you please suggest how this type of question can be asked so that it doesn't offend? – GaTechThomas Nov 05 '13 at 17:46
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    @jerhewet : try SQL Database Studio - far better than smss and is around 6MB large (installation file) http://sqldatabasestudio.com/ – Harlsten May 07 '15 at 15:27
  • Just discovered that you can install SSMS for SQL Server 2008 followed by SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 4. SP4 fixes all of the crashes and other issues that occur with a vanilla installation of SSMS 2008. Highly recommend this combination over SSMS for SQL Server 2012. – jerhewet May 13 '15 at 14:23
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    Closing questions like this (and keeping it undeleted) results in VERY OUTDATED info being ranked at the top of Google search. Today we have alternatives like Azure Data Studio or DBeaver but guess what - we can't add those to this page. – Alex from Jitbit Dec 11 '20 at 23:08

12 Answers12

52

I've started using LinqPad. In addition to being more lightweight than SSMS, you can also practice writing LINQ queries- way more fun than boring old TSQL!

GateKiller
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Evan
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20

TOAD for MS SQL looks pretty good. I've never used it personally but I have used Quest's other products and they're solid.

Dan
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brendan
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    Hmm, I just downloaded their trial and it throws really bizarre exceptions all over the place... has anyone else encountered this? – Dmitri Nesteruk Dec 31 '09 at 11:31
  • As of today the version(5.0.2.612) of TOAD for MS SQL Server it just what I was looking for. It is so much better than MS Management Studio 2008. – Artur Kedzior Jun 02 '11 at 08:44
  • I've used Toad and I find it as bloated as MS SQL – Jorge Vargas Jun 17 '11 at 01:29
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    If you are looking to add some nice features to SSMS then go grab SSSM Tools Pack (free) which adds many usefull features to SSMS. – Piotr Owsiak Apr 02 '12 at 13:24
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    The toad products are bittersweet. They have amazing features (sortable columns and basic aggregation in the output grid, db diagramming) but they. are. buggy. Dmitri hit it on the nose with the wild exceptions and it's three years since he sent it. Hopefully the purchase by Dell and the focus on the multipurpose Toad Data Point will clean up a potentially amazing piece of software. – Rob Mar 01 '13 at 15:03
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    Be aware that SMSS tools pack is not free for SMSS 2012 and higher. – user1151923 Apr 15 '14 at 11:25
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Seems that no one mentioned Query Express (http://www.albahari.com/queryexpress.aspx) and a fork Query ExPlus (also link at the bottom of http://www.albahari.com/queryexpress.aspx)

BTW. First URL is the home page of Joseph Albahari who is the author of LINQPad (check out this killer tool)

Piotr Owsiak
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    Also you can have a look at Heidi SQL (OSS, very nice), DBSourceTools (OSS software hosted at codeplex.com, source control centric), SQuirrel SQL (OSS written in Java). Additionally SQL Assistant (not an IDE, but still interresting) is a sort of a run querries everywhere (even in Notepad) util with lots of nice features (paid though). – Piotr Owsiak Apr 02 '12 at 13:22
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Database .NET

Robert S Ciaccio
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Govind Malviya
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  • Simple, fast to download, no installation required,free for personal use and it does more then simple editing. This is a really good choice. – Matteo Conta May 14 '15 at 09:09
  • I just gave it a quick try and I must say it looks just great! – iDevlop Nov 05 '15 at 20:28
  • I am giving it a try and it's not a bad product. Probably it needs improvements but it's well done and a good alternative to SQL Manager – Raffaeu Mar 06 '17 at 08:18
  • This is great, and free. The paid version can also do graphical query designing (although you can do a limited number of designs with the free version until it runs out) – Reversed Engineer May 11 '17 at 10:09
  • 2018 and can still say this is the best answer. Lightweight and to the point. Can even edit your stored procedures at low memory cost. The trial edition works just as good. – DaWiseguy Apr 24 '18 at 21:01
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I have been using Atlantis SQL Enywhere, a free software, for almost 6 months and has been working really well. Works with SQL 2005 and SQL 2008 versions. I am really impressed with its features and keyboard shortcuts are similar to VS, so makes the transition really smooth to a new editor.

Some of the features that are worth mentioning:

  • Intellisense that actually works when using multiple tables and joins with aliases
  • Suggestion of joins when using multiple tables (reduces time on typing, really neat)
  • Rich formatting of sql code, AutoIndent using Ctrl K, Ctrl D.
  • Better representation of SQL plans
  • Highlights variables declarations while they are used.
  • Table definition on mouse hover.

All these features have saved me lot of time.

Martha
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user_v
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    Please note that this program (as most of the others mentioned here) is just an IDE to write SQL code. You cannot use it to create or edit tables, not to mention administrative tasks. That's what the OP asks for but it can be misleading for those who come here looking for an alternative to SQL Server Management Studio. – Álvaro González Nov 06 '13 at 10:56
  • It's a nice tool, but a no-sale for me, because result grids are tabbed, not stacked as with SQL Studio, so you cannot easily compare two outputs. One man's two cents. –  Apr 29 '14 at 14:24
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    "You cannot use it to create or edit tables" - what about CREATE TABLE NiceTable (id INT IDENTITY (1, 1) PRIMARY KEY, Name VARCHAR(80))); etc etc? – Reversed Engineer May 11 '17 at 10:07
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powershell + sqlcmd :)

Thuglife
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  • great suggestion, but it is easier to use tools like DbGate, SQuirreL SQL etc, more alternatives here https://qawithexperts.com/article/sql/sql-server-management-studio-ssms-alternatives-mac-windows-l/445 – Jyoti Jun 28 '22 at 12:50
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If you are already spending time in Visual Studio, then you can always use the Server Explorer to connect to any .Net compliant database server.

Provided you're using Professional or greater, you can create and edit tables and databases, run queries, etc.

Daniel O
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4

There is an express version on SSMS that has considerably fewer features but still has the basics.

Brad Larson
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Paul G
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3

vim + dbext :)

sumek
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2

Oracle has a free program called SQL Developer which will work with Microsoft SQL Server as well as Oracle & MySQL. When accessing SQL Server, however, Oracle SQL Developer is only intended to enable an easy migration to Oracle, so your SQL Server database is essentially read-only.

dwiser
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aef123
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1

How about Embarcadero Rapid SQL Really good but kind of expensive.

pyccki
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1

You can still install and use Query Analyzer from previous SQL Server versions.

dkretz
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