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dbForge vs Redgate vs ApexSQL Complete Comparison

If you are an active SSMS user, you most probably know that its built-in IntelliSense isn't all that perfect. Still, you want your SQL coding done fast, clean, readable, and devoid of errors.

This is where you can turn to special add-ins that extend the default capabilities of SSMS and make you more versatile at SQL development.

dbForge SQL Complete is one such add-in, and below you will find a detailed comparison of its features with those of its two nearest rivals — Redgate SQL Prompt and ApexSQL Complete.

Before you scroll down to explore the compared products, we would like to highlight some of the essential features that should be available in every high-end SSMS add-in designed with a focus on quick and efficient SQL development.

  • IntelliSense-like SQL completion that includes context-aware suggestions, instant statement expansion, and smart syntax check
  • Quick database object overview
  • Default and custom snippets to help you code even faster
  • Advanced code formatting to make your SQL code easily readable
  • Integrated debugger to identify and fix logic errors
  • Intelligent and convenient code refactoring with automatic correction of references to the database objects you need to rename
  • Means of manipulating data in the results grid
  • Various productivity enhancements to make your daily work faster and easier

Overview of Redgate SQL Prompt, ApexSQL Complete, and dbForge SQL Complete

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 at an affordable cost.

What is Redgate SQL Prompt?

Redgate SQL Prompt is the ultimate code completion add-in for SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio with IntelliSense-style functionality. This tool provides the functionality needed for effective code refactoring and analysis, SQL code auto-completion with snippets insertion and customization, and robust formatting options.

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

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 seamlessly 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.

Support for ApexSQL Complete will be discontinued as of December 31, 2025.

To sum up

The choice of tool depends on your specific needs and goals. If you're looking for an affordable and feature-rich alternative to Redgate SQL Prompt and ApexSQL Complete, dbForge SQL Complete is the best option. It automates code completion and reduces the time needed to create accurate code by minimizing keyboard typing, which is crucial in today's fast-paced world.

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

The below table presents a detailed comparison of dbForge SQL Complete (v2025.1), Redgate SQL Prompt (v10.16.3.14709), and ApexSQL Complete (v2022.01.0641). For quick navigation, use the side menu.

Code Completion

dbForge SQL Complete
Redgate SQL Prompt
ApexSQL Complete
Context-sensitive object suggestions
Yes
Yes
None
Context-sensitive suggestion of keywords
Yes
Yes
None
Parameter information for functions
Yes
Yes
Yes
Quick object information
Yes
Yes
Yes
Rows Count information
Yes
None
None
Name suggestions for objects on linked servers
Yes
Yes
None
JOIN clause auto generation
Yes
Yes
None
ON condition suggestion for JOIN
Yes
Yes
None
Wildcard expansion
Yes
Yes
None
INSERT statement expansion
Yes
Yes
Yes
EXEC statement expansion
Yes
Yes
None
ALTER statement expansion
Yes
Yes
Yes
UPDATE statement expansion
Yes
None
Yes
Non-aggregated columns in GROUP BY
Yes
None
Yes
Context-sensitive object suggestions for common table expressions (CTE)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Context-sensitive object suggestions in SQLCMD mode
Yes
Yes
Yes
Sorting of suggested keywords by relevance
Yes
Yes
None
Phrase completion
Yes
Yes
Yes
Column picker for quick list building
Yes
None
Yes
Exclusion of databases from suggestion
None
Yes
Yes

Code Formatting

dbForge SQL Complete
Redgate SQL Prompt
ApexSQL Complete
SQL formatting
Yes
Yes
None
Autoformatting on paste
Yes
None
None
Disabled formatting for specified blocks of code
Yes
Yes
None
Formatting in files and directories
Yes
None
None
Database identifier case synchronization
Yes
Yes
None
Quick selection of formatting profiles
Yes
Yes
None
Command-line wizard
Yes
None
None
SQL formatting command-line interface
Yes
Yes
None
Adjusting keyword case on typing
Yes
Yes
None
Autoformatting completed statement on delimiter
Yes
Yes
None

Productivity

dbForge SQL Complete
Redgate SQL Prompt
ApexSQL Complete
Execution of the current statement
Yes
Yes
None
Decryption of encrypted objects
Yes
Yes
None
Execution warnings
Yes
Yes
None
Execution notifications
Yes
None
None
Transaction reminders
Yes
None
None
Tab coloring
Yes
Yes
Yes
Custom SSMS main window title
Yes
None
None
Semi-transparent view of the suggestion box
Yes
Yes
Yes
SQL snippets
Yes
Yes
Yes
'Go to definition' for database objects
Yes
Yes
Yes
Highlighted occurrences of identifiers
Yes
Yes
None
Import and export of settings
Yes
Yes
Yes
Navigation between queries
Yes
None
None
Alias management
Yes
Yes
Yes
Finding invalid objects
Yes
Yes
None
Find Invalid Objects command-line interface
Yes
None
None
Named regions
Yes
Yes
None
Script execution against multiple databases
Yes
None
None
Find in Results Grid
Yes
None
Yes
Generate Script As from the SSMS data grid
Yes
Yes
Yes
Grid Aggregates
Yes
None
None
Executed SQL Statements History
Yes
None
Yes
Data visualizers
Yes
None
None
Copy Data As from the SSMS results grid to XML, CSV, HTML, JSON, and Excel
Yes
Yes
Yes
Copy Data As from the SSMS results grid to a file
Yes
None
None
Highlighting of unused variables and parameters
None
Yes
None
Navigation between COLUMNS and VALUES in INSERT statement
None
Yes
None
Navigation between BEGIN CATCH/END CATCH
Yes
None
None
Navigation between BEGIN TRY/END TRY
Yes
None
None
Navigation between CASE и END
Yes
None
None
Navigation to a label
Yes
None
None
Pair highlighting
Yes
None
None
CRUD generation
Yes
None
Yes
Recently closed documents
Yes
None
None
Restoration of the last closed tab
Yes
None
None
Restoration of the last document session
Yes
None
None
Close all unmodified tabs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Document Outline window
Yes
None
Yes
Tab duplication
Yes
None
Yes
Convert EXEC to Script
Yes
None
Yes
Inline EXEC
Yes
None
Yes

Code Refactoring

dbForge SQL Complete
Redgate SQL Prompt
ApexSQL Complete
Renaming of objects, variables, and aliases
Yes
Yes
None
T-SQL Analyzer
Yes
Yes
None
T-SQL Debugger
Yes
None
None
Enclosure of selected identifiers in square brackets
Yes
Yes
None
Semicolon insertion
Yes
Yes
None

FAQ

Which tool provides more robust code formatting options: Redgate SQL Prompt or ApexSQL Complete?

Redgate SQL Prompt may offer more robust and flexible code formatting options compared to ApexSQL Complete. It provides highly customizable formatting styles, live previews, support for complex SQL constructs, and team-sharing capabilities. In contrast, ApexSQL Complete, a Redgate SQL Prompt alternative, includes only basic formatting features with limited customization and lacks advanced style management.

Which tool has a more user-friendly interface: Redgate SQL Prompt or ApexSQL Complete?

Redgate SQL Prompt may stand out over ApexSQL Complete. It integrates smoothly into SSMS and Visual Studio, featuring a clean and intuitive design. SQL Prompt provides live formatting previews, easy access to settings, and real-time suggestions, making it easy to use. As a SQL Prompt alternative, ApexSQL Complete, although functional, has a more cluttered interface and can feel less responsive, for example, when working with large scripts.

Do Redgate SQL Prompt and ApexSQL Complete support the latest versions of SQL Server?

At the time of publication, neither Redgate nor ApexSQL had officially confirmed support for SQL Server 2025; only SQL Server 2022 and earlier versions were supported.

Is dbForge SQL Complete a cost-effective alternative to Redgate SQL Prompt and ApexSQL Complete?

Yes, dbForge SQL Complete can be considered a cost-effective alternative to Redgate SQL Prompt and ApexSQL Complete, offering a strong balance of features and price.

Price comparison

dbForge SQL Complete

1-year subscription; you can start with a free trial or get a free Express Edition

$129.95

Redgate SQL Prompt

1-year subscription; the free trial of the product is also available

$210

ApexSQL Complete

1-year subscription (as a part of ApexSQL Fundamentals Toolkit for SQL Server)

$567

How to choose the right SQL code completion tool?

Budget

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 less cost-effective for budget-conscious users.

Features

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

Compatibility

Whether you're using the newest SQL Server or current versions of SSMS or Visual Studio, dbForge SQL Complete is fully compatible with SQL Server 2025, 2022, 2019, and earlier and Azure SQL, Azure Synapse, and SQL Server on Linux, SSMS v21, and Visual Studio 2022.

User support

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.

Your ultimate SSMS add-in for SQL development

dbForge SQL Complete is the world's top coding productivity add-in for SSMS and Microsoft Visual Studio. It is designed to speed up your SQL coding and help you double your coding output with advanced autocompletion, formatting, refactoring, and debugging tools.

Empower yourself with SQL Complete today!

Download dbForge SQL Complete for a FREE 2-week trial to evaluate all of its powerful capabilities hidden under a sleek user interface.
Download

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