Best SQL Prompt Alternative for SSMS and Visual Studio

What is Redgate SQL Prompt?

Redgate SQL Prompt is a high-end code completion add-in for SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio with IntelliSense-style completion, code snippets, effective code refactoring and analysis, and robust formatting options.

With this tool, you can increase your overall productivity and improve code quality, making it both accurate and clean.

What is ApexSQL Complete?

ApexSQL Complete is a productivity-enhancing tool that provides auto-completion of keywords, statements, and identifiers for faster coding. The tool integrates into SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio.

The list of features includes but is not limited to SQL code auto-completion, suggestion lists, object definitions, encrypted object auto-completion, keyword formatting, snippet insertion, and CRUD procedures. This functionality makes ApexSQL Complete a comprehensive solution for SQL developers.

What is dbForge SQL Complete?

dbForge SQL Complete is a powerful enhancement for SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio, offering a comprehensive set of features for SQL coding.

Context-based code completion, easy object renaming, SQL snippets, instant object and keyword suggestions, and advanced code formatting and refactoring capabilities make this tool indispensable. By improving the speed, consistency, and accuracy of your code, SQL Complete saves you time and helps you create easily readable and error-free code.

dbForge SQL Complete

The ultimate add-in for SSMS and Visual Studio that helps developers, DBAs, and data analysts write SQL code of any complexity with ease and convenience

Download for free

Feature comparison: dbForge SQL Complete vs Redgate SQL Prompt vs ApexSQL Complete

To help you make the right choice, we've compared the features and capabilities of three SQL coding assistants: dbForge SQL Complete, Redgate SQL Prompt, and ApexSQL Complete.

The table below provides a detailed feature-by-feature comparison. For easier navigation, use the side menu to jump directly to the functionality you are interested in.

AI assistance

Features

dbForge SQL Complete

Redgate SQL Prompt

ApexSQL Complete

Context-aware query generation

✅

✅

❌

Conversion of plain language to SQL

✅

✅

❌

SQL error explanations

✅

❌

❌

Query optimization

✅

✅

❌

AI chat

✅

✅

❌

Code completion

Features

dbForge SQL Complete

Redgate SQL Prompt

ApexSQL Complete

Context-sensitive object suggestions

✅

✅

✅

Context-sensitive keyword suggestions

✅

✅

❌

Sorting of suggested keywords by relevance

✅

✅

❌

Parameter information for functions

✅

✅

✅

Quick object information

✅

✅

✅

Rows count information

✅

❌

❌

JOIN clause auto-generation

✅

❌

✅

ON condition suggestions for JOINs

✅

✅

✅

Wildcard expansion

✅

✅

❌

INSERT statement expansion

✅

✅

✅

EXEC statement expansion

✅

✅

❌

ALTER statement expansion

✅

✅

✅

UPDATE statement expansion

✅

❌

✅

Non-aggregate columns in GROUP BY

✅

✅

❌

Context-sensitive object suggestions for common table expressions (CTE)

✅

✅

✅

Context-sensitive object suggestions in the SQLCMD mode

✅

✅

❌

Phrase completion

✅

✅

✅

Column picker for quick list building

✅

✅

✅

Exclusion of databases from suggestions

✅

✅

✅

Code formatting

Features

dbForge SQL Complete

Redgate SQL Prompt

ApexSQL Complete

SQL formatting

✅

✅

❌

Auto-formatting on paste

✅

❌

❌

Disabled formatting for certain blocks of code

✅

✅

❌

Formatting in files and directories

✅

✅

❌

Database identifier case synchronization

✅

✅

❌

Quick selection of formatting profiles

✅

✅

❌

Command-line wizard

✅

❌

❌

Adjustment of keyword case on typing

✅

✅

❌

Auto-formatting of completed statements on delimiter

✅

❌

❌

Productivity

Features

dbForge SQL Complete

Redgate SQL Prompt

ApexSQL Complete

Execute current statement

✅

✅

❌

Decryption of encrypted objects

✅

✅

❌

Execution warnings

✅

✅

❌

Execution notifications

✅

❌

❌

Transaction reminders

✅

❌

❌

Tab coloring

✅

✅

✅

Custom SSMS main window title

✅

❌

❌

Semi-transparent view of the suggestion box

✅

✅

✅

SQL snippets

✅

✅

✅

'Go to definition' for database objects

✅

✅

✅

Highlighted occurrences of identifiers

✅

✅

❌

Import and export of settings

✅

✅

✅

Navigation between queries

✅

❌

❌

Alias management

✅

✅

✅

Search for invalid objects

✅

✅

❌

CLI-powered search for invalid objects

✅

❌

❌

Named regions

✅

✅

❌

Run script on multiple databases

✅

❌

❌

Search in the results grid

✅

❌

✅

Generate Script As from the results grid

✅

✅

✅

Grid aggregates

✅

✅

❌

Executed SQL statements history

✅

✅

✅

Data visualizers

✅

❌

❌

Copy Data As from the results grid to XML, CSV, HTML, JSON, and XLS

✅

✅

❌

Copy Data As from the results grid to a file

✅

✅

❌

Navigation between COLUMNS and VALUES in INSERT statements

✅

❌

❌

Navigation between BEGIN CATCH/END CATCH

✅

❌

❌

Navigation between BEGIN TRY/END TRY

✅

❌

❌

Navigation between CASE and END

✅

❌

❌

Navigation to a label

✅

❌

❌

Pair highlighting

✅

✅

❌

CRUD generation

✅

❌

✅

Recently closed documents

✅

❌

❌

Restoration of the last closed tab

✅

❌

❌

Tab history

❌

✅

❌

Restoration of the last document session

✅

❌

❌

Close all unmodified tabs

✅

✅

✅

Document Outline window

✅

❌

✅

Convert EXEC to a script

✅

✅

❌

Inline EXEC

✅

✅

❌

Code refactoring

Features

dbForge SQL Complete

Redgate SQL Prompt

ApexSQL Complete

Renaming of objects, variables, and aliases

✅

✅

❌

T-SQL debugging

✅

❌

❌

Semicolon insertion

✅

✅

❌

Add/remove square brackets

✅

✅

❌

Encapsulation of SELECT into new stored procedures

❌

✅

❌

Code analysis

Features

dbForge SQL Complete

Redgate SQL Prompt

ApexSQL Complete

T-SQL code analysis

✅

✅

❌

Bulk code analysis

❌

✅

❌

Command-line support

Features

dbForge SQL Complete

Redgate SQL Prompt

ApexSQL Complete

Bulk formatting via CLI

✅

✅

❌

Search for invalid objects via CLI

✅

✅

❌

Price comparison

Product

dbForge SQL Complete

Redgate SQL Prompt

ApexSQL Complete

License type

Subscription-based or perpetual

Subscription-based

Subscription-based

Price

From $129.95 per year

$210 per year

$567 per year

Free edition

Express (basic features)

Not available

Not available

Free trial

14 days

14 days

Not available

Support

Regular updates and version upgrades

Updates and version upgrades

Discontinued as of December 31, 2025

How to choose the right SQL code completion tool?

Choosing the right coding assistant to extend SSMS and make SQL coding faster and easier is a matter of individual preference. However, this choice has a direct impact on your productivity. We have provided a detailed comparison of the features available in three popular coding assistance add-ins. Now, let us summarize the key factors to consider.

Budget

Want to spend less but maximize features and get a polished experience with advanced capabilities, such as code completion, intelligent formatting, snippets, or refactoring? Choose dbForge SQL Complete, which makes it more cost-effective for budget-conscious users.

Features

dbForge SQL Complete provides all the important SQL automation and productivity tools most developers need. It can be a balance of capability, usability, and cost-effectiveness compared to other tools. In addition, you can use a free 30-day trial to evaluate all its advanced functionalities.

Compatibility

dbForge SQL Complete offers broad compatibility across the Microsoft SQL Server ecosystem. It fully supports SQL Server 2025, 2022, 2019, and earlier versions, as well as Azure SQL, Azure Synapse Analytics, and SQL Server on Linux. The tool is compatible with SSMS 22 and Visual Studio 2026, as well as their earlier versions.

User support

Should you have any questions about the product, you can get professional support or community assistance. Visit our documentation center or watch tutorials to learn how to use the product. Submit feature suggestions, share your feedback, and contact our support team at any time.

Conclusion

Choosing the right SQL development tool ultimately comes down to how well it fits your workflow, team requirements, and long-term goals. While Redgate SQL Prompt remains a popular solution, it may not be the most practical one for many developers.

If SQL formatting, code completion, and productivity are central to your workflow, it's worth testing different options to see which tool integrates best into your environment. Solutions like dbForge SQL Complete demonstrate that you don't have to compromise—you can start with a free edition and expand as your requirements grow.

In the end, the best choice is the one that helps you write cleaner SQL, work more efficiently, and maintain consistency across your projects—without adding unnecessary complexity to your development process.

dbForge SQL Complete

The ultimate add-in for SSMS and Visual Studio that helps developers, DBAs, and data analysts write SQL code of any complexity with ease and convenience

Download for free

FAQ