SQL Source Control for SQL Server in SSMS

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 a dedicated or a 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), and SourceGear Vault.

Git solutions supported by Source Control

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

Find out more

GitHub

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

Find out more

GitLab

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

Find out more

Bitbucket

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

Find out 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

Download for free

Collaboration

With SQL Server version control 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

Download for free

Changes tracking in dbForge Source Control

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

Download for free

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

Download for free

Version history in dbForge Source Control

Source Control included in the dbForge SQL Tools bundle

dbForge Source Control

Starts from

$199_.95

per year

Try the tool

Key features:

Support for multiple version control systems
Version control of schemas
Version control of static data
Quick comparison of database versions
Shared and dedicated development models
Rollback of changes
Easy resolution of conflicts
History of changes

Save 60% with the bundle

dbForge SQL Tools

Starts from

$469_.95

per year

Try the complete bundle

Includes 15 tools:

Trusted by thousands of data-driven companies

Benefits of SQL source control for development and business operations

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

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

Improved software deployment

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

Cost efficiency and business continuity

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

What our customers say

The solution allows us to track changes and check their quality, which clarifies the development process and brings some clarity. Basically, we can roll back 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.

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 a free trial

Download dbForge Source Control for a free trial today and see how it makes your database management twice as effective.

Download for free

Buy multiple licenses with a substantial discount

Enjoy bulk discounts

We provide flexible purchase options, including bulk discounts for multiple licenses, to meet the budget of every customer.

Purchase now

Need a hand?

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

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 MSSQL source control provide?

Version control, change tracking, and team collaboration are essential for effective database development. dbForge Source Control for SQL Server delivers all these capabilities, offering change tracking, object diff viewing, and conflict resolution—directly within SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

Does dbForge Source Control work as an SSMS source control plugin?

Yes. dbForge Source Control is an SSMS add-in that allows you to version-control your database management in the SSMS environment.

Can I use Git for SQL Server source control in SSMS?

Absolutely. With dbForge Source Control, you can continue using Git as your preferred version control system in SSMS by linking your database to Git and setting up a connection to your Git hosting platform of choice (GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps, or Bitbucket).

Can I version-control SQL Server schema and static data changes?

Yes. With dbForge Source Control, a plugin for SSMS, you can track and audit schema and data changes in your SQL Server databases.

What is the difference between SQL source control and SQL version control?

SQL source control is the broader practice built on the concept of treating database schemas and scripts as code, with defined workflows for review, branching, merging, and controlled deployment across environments.

SQL version control refers to the technical mechanism of storing and tracking database changes in a version control system—accessing the history, comparing revisions, and rolling back when needed.

Does dbForge Source Control support Azure DevOps, TFS, and TFVC?

Yes. dbForge Source Control is compatible with the major version control systems, including Azure DevOps, TFS, and TFVC.

Can I use SVN for SQL Server database source control?

Yes. If you use dbForge Source Control to version-control SQL Server databases in SSMS, you can link your database to SVN and continue managing and tracking database changes in your familiar environment.