Save Big on Cyber Monday! Up to 40% Off
ends in   {{days}}
Days
{{timeFormat.hours}}
:
{{timeFormat.minutes}}
:
{{timeFormat.seconds}}

Link Your SQL Database to a Version Control System

dbForge Source Control is an SSMS add-in that brings version control capabilities directly into the familiar environment. It fills the gap created by the absence of native version control features in SSMS, allowing teams to work more effectively within their preferred IDE.

  • Version-control database schemas and static table data
  • Use either dedicated or shared development model
  • Commit and revert changes with dependency awareness
  • View conflicts, resolve inconsistencies, and track changes
  • Automate database development with the DevOps approach
  • Integrate Source Control directly with SSMS

Supported version control systems

dbForge Source Control supports all the major version control systems, including Azure DevOps Server (previously known as Team Foundation Server a.k.a. TFS), Apache Subversion (SVN), TFVC, Git (including GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket), Mercurial (Hg), Perforce (P4), SourceGear Vault.

Download for free
Git
Git
TFVC
TFVC
Subversion (SVN)
SVN
Subversion (SVN)
Azure DevOps
Perforce
Perforce
Mercurial
Mercurial
SourceGear Vault
SourceGear Vault
Plastic SCM
Plastic SCM

Git solutions supported by Source Control

Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps

  • Make and revert commits
  • Get local or remote changes
  • View and resolve conflicts
  • Track the history of changes
  • Link and unlink static data
Learn more
GitHub

GitHub

  • Create an empty repository from scratch
  • Commit and revert changes
  • View and resolve conflicts
  • Associate commits with GitHub Issues
  • Switch between branches easily
Learn more
Gitlab

GitLab

  • Make and revert commits
  • Get local or remote changes
  • Handle conflicts
  • Associate commits with GitLab issues
  • Link and unlink static data
Learn more
Bitbucket

Bitbucket

  • Commit and revert changes
  • Update your local repository
  • Track the history of changes
  • View and resolve conflicts
  • Work with shared and dedicated models
Learn more

Everything your software team needs in a single tool

Version control

Management of database changes in SSMS becomes significantly more efficient with integrated source control. It helps developers track all modifications to database objects and prevent unintended changes.

With this feature in SSMS, teams can work more reliably, with better consistency and accountability.

Key advantages:
  • Schema change tracking and monitoring
  • Prevention of unintended modifications
  • No-conflict concurrent development support
  • Rollback and recovery for restoring stable versions
  • Consistent deployment across environments
  • Comprehensive auditing
Get free trial
Collaboration

Once version control becomes available in SSMS, collaboration in database development becomes significantly more efficient.

Multiple developers can work on the same database without conflicts through branching, merging, and object locking. This option minimizes the risk of overwriting and improves coordination across teams.

Key advantages:
  • Branching for isolated feature/fix development
  • Retrieval of changes made by other developers
  • Object locking to avoid conflicts
  • Conflict prevention and resolution
  • Change tracking for more transparent communication and history
Get free trial
Rollback and recovery

Source control in SSMS is incomplete without a mechanism for rollback and recovery, allowing users to track and revert changes to previous stable versions of database objects.

This option minimizes the risk of data loss and errors, ensuring stable, reliable environments for teams.

Key advantages:
  • Version history for reviewing and recovery
  • Quick reversion of faulty changes
  • Safe area for work and experiments
  • Fast restoration of stable versions
  • Version consistency and reliability
Get free trial
Compliance and auditing

The feature of source control in SSMS helps teams ensure compliance and meet the required auditing standards. It maintains a detailed, chronological history of all database changes, capturing who made each change, as well as when and why.

Key advantages:
  • Detailed change tracking with timestamps
  • Full audit for internal and external reviews
  • Identification of each contributor
  • Documented change history for regulatory compliance
  • Transparency for governance and quality control
Get free trial

dbForge SQL Tools

Enhance SSMS with essential add-ins and tools, including Source Control, and boost all database-related tasks
SAVE UP TO $2140

Leading companies choose dbForge Source Control

Nuffield Health
University of Toronto
Swedbank
Phillips
Indiana University
BeFrugal
Länsförsäkringar Blekinge
Rode Kruis

Benefits of SQL source control for development and business operations

Faster and safer development

Faster and safer development

Source control reduces the risk of human error and helps teams develop and test databases more efficiently.
Reduced downtime and risks

Reduced downtime and risks

A detailed history of changes and rollback capabilities allow teams to identify and revert problematic changes quickly.
Improved software deployment

Improved software deployment

The add-in integrates with CI/CD pipelines, supporting consistent, automated, and tested database deployments.
Cost efficiency and business continuity

Cost efficiency and business continuity

With source control, teams can significantly lower operational costs and achieve uninterrupted business operations.

What our customers say

Quote
The solution allows us to track changes and check their quality, which clarifies the development process and brings some clarity. Basically, we can rollback the changes at any time. a crucial option I would say, especially if you work in a team. Also, the add-in has two modes: dedicated and shared. In 'dedicated' mode, you can work separately and test changes apart from the rest of the team. In 'shared' mode, the team works with a single database instance. So, no conflicts occur, but at the same time, one developer can erase the changes of other teammates.
Konrad B.
Quote
I am able to search all things like database table, fields used in that selected database. Also I can search data by selecting multiple database. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. It's user friendly UI and smarter search by giving filter provision.
Jayashri A.
IT Analyst
Quote
A handy solution for tracking and checking the quality of database changes. In particular, with Source Control, we can roll back any previously made changes, which is quite crucial for a team. The tool has dedicated and shared modes. In shared mode, the team works with a single database instance, while dedicated mode allows working apart from a crowd. Overall, it brings extra clarity in the development process.
Andrey S.

Ready to get started?

Get started with dbForge Source Control at no cost

Get started with dbForge Source Control at no cost

Download dbForge Source Control for a free 30-day trial today and see how it accelerates your SQL coding and makes your database management twice as effective.

Download for free
Buy multiple licenses with a substantial discount

Buy multiple licenses with a substantial discount

Take note that we provide flexible purchase options, including bulk discounts for multiple licenses, to meet the budget of each and every customer.

Purchase now
Need a hand?

Need a hand?

If you need any help or have questions about our tools or purchasing options, just get in touch with our team.

Contact us

Frequently Asked Questions

What is source control in SQL Server?

Source control in SQL Server is a system that allows managing and tracking changes to database objects, including (but not limited to) tables, views, stored procedures, and scripts. Additionally, source control in SQL Server is the practical process of integrating version control systems (e.g., Git) with database development tools, such as SSMS, to manage, track, and audit changes to database schemas and their objects. Integration of source control enables teams to collaborate better, maintain a history of modifications, branch and merge development work, revert to previous versions, and ensure consistent, controlled deployments across different environments.

How do you link a database to source control?

If you're using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), the easiest way to integrate source control is via a third-party SSMS add-in such as dbForge Source Control for SQL Server. This tool supports all popular version control systems, including Git, SVN, and Mercurial. After cloning your local repository, a smart wizard walks you through linking your database to source control. Once connected, you can commit, revert changes, and resolve conflicts directly within the interface of SSMS.

What features should a tool for SQL source control provide?

Version control, change tracking, and deployment automation are essential for effective database development. dbForge Source Control for SQL Server delivers all these capabilities, offering version tracking, schema comparison, and team collaboration. It integrates directly into SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.