Top Alternative to Navicat for Windows

Navicat is one of the best-known software products for database development and administration, with a large community worldwide and all the database management essentials at hand. But if you came here looking for a functionally superior alternative for SQL Server, you are in the right place.

The Navicat alternative in question is dbForge Studio for SQL Server. Being similar to Navicat feature-wise, it delivers quite a few extra tools, some of which may be crucial to your daily work:

Far broader set of SQL development tools, which includes context-sensitive code autocompletion, rich formatting options, and smart refactoring
Advanced data and schema comparison and synchronization tools
Visual Query Builder for coding-free creation of complex queries
Integrated generators of realistic test data, database documenter, and unit testing tools
The trial period lasts 30 days, which is twice as long as Navicat offers
You can opt for an absolutely FREE Express Edition with basic database development and management tools

dbForge Studio for SQL Server - the best IDE for effective SQL coding, formatting and refactoring

SQL Development Tools

dbForge Studio for SQL Server has everything to help you start coding up to 4 times faster:

Context-sensitive code autocompletion and object suggestions
Multiple formatting profiles
Rich and easily modifiable SQL snippet collection
Smart refactoring with automatic correction of references
T-SQL Debugger for stored procedures, triggers, functions, and scripts
Code navigation and other productivity enhancements

Data and Schema Comparison

dbForge Studio for SQL Server contains a unique combination of tools that help you compare database schemas and compare the actual data with subsequent synchronization.

Again, dbForge Studio boasts a superior set of features:

Conveniently displayed differences
Filtering of comparison results
CLI-powered automation of comparison and synchronization
Generation of comparison reports

dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a perfect Navicat alternative with its data and schema comparison tools

dbForge Studio for SQL Server vs Navicat - database diagrams

Visual Database Designer

Database Designer offers an invaluable set of features that allow visualizing, creating, and editing SQL Server databases without coding. You can simply drag-and-drop your database onto a diagram and get a clear picture of its basic objects and relationships between them.

Scalable database diagrams
Tracking of logical relationships between tables
Quick printing of large diagrams
Export of diagrams as images

Query Builder

Query Builder, seamlessly integrated into dbForge Studio for SQL Server, helps you create queries of any complexity visually, with no need for coding. With its help, you can easily build queries that involve multiple tables, joins, conditions, and sub-queries.

Visualization of complex queries
Combinations of multiple queries
Complex conditions
Query structure overview in the Document Outline window
Preview and printing of query diagrams
Editing and export of query results

Best alternative to Navicat - Query Builder

Data Generator

dbForge Studio offers a smart Data Generator, designed to deliver large volumes of realistic test data and populate the required database in a matter of moments.

200+ meaningful generators with rich customization
Support for all essential column data types
SQL data integrity support
Real-time preview of generated data
Save Command Line option

Query Profiler

dbForge Studio features a handy tool called Query Profiler, which helps locate bottlenecks and optimize the execution of slow queries.

Search for performance bottlenecks
Quick jump to any step of query optimization to review, execute, or save queries
Tracking of session statistics for queries
Visual comparison of profiling results
Profiling history

dbForge Studio for SQL Server vs Navicat - Query Profiler

Feature-by-feature comparison

The following table provides a detailed comparison of dbForge Studio for SQL Server 6.1.14 (Enterprise Edition) and Navicat Premium 15.0.26. For quick navigation, please use the side menu.

SQL Editing & Execution

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Automatic SQL syntax check

Code outlining

Code snippets

Customizable SQL formatting and code beautifier

Wide range of SQL formatting options and profiles

Limited

Execute current statement

Parameter information for stored routines

SQL editor with syntax coloring

Quick access to favorite templates from the SQL editor

Bookmarks

Select block

Text search

Document Outline window for quick navigation through large scripts

Execution of scripts, selected SQL fragments and statements

One-step access to the database object editor from the code (go to definition)

SQL execution history window

Execution warnings

GUI transaction support

Command-line interface for script execution

Code Completion

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Context-sensitive code completion

One-click access to schema object definitions

On-the-fly renaming of database objects

Limited

Auto-generation of table aliases

Quick information about database objects

SQL refactoring with automatic correction of references to renamed objects

Limited

T-SQL Debugger

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Script debugging

Step Into, Step Over, and Step Out commands for step-by-step execution

Breakpoints support for procedures, functions, triggers, and scripts

Breakpoints window

Call Stack window with navigation

Watches window for variable evaluation

Visual Query Builder

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Support for the SELECT statement

Support for the INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements

Common table expression

State-of-the-art diagram

Zooming

Keyboard support

Diagram preview

Diagram printing

Visual addition of sub-queries to any part of the main query

Query outline (displayed in the Document Outline window)

Visual editing of sub-queries

Expression builder for creating complex conditions

Drag-and-drop required tables

Copy/Paste for tables on the diagram

Undo/Redo support

Database Designer

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Visual Database Designer

Visualization of tables

Visualization of stored procedures and functions

Visualization of views

Easy access to database objects for viewing their properties

Support for IDEF1X and IE notations

Customizable diagram look and feel with skin support

Smart ER Diagram layout

Diagram export to different image formats

Arrangement of diagram shapes using containers

Customizable diagram printing with a rich set of options

Optional display of table constraints, indexes, and triggers

Integration with the Document Outline window

Diagram navigation with the Diagram Overview window

Notes for adding comments to a diagram

Export to image only

Zoom in/out

Save/Load diagram

Forward engineering of physical database designs

Data Editor

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Copying data with column headers for quick pasting to a spreadsheet

Custom data filters of any complexity

Data Viewer window for browsing images, RTF, and binary cell values

Date/Time editor with a visual interface

Foreign key lookup editor for easy editing of fields referencing other tables

Free copying of any block of data to clipboard

Full-text search (Ctrl+F) in the data grid

Single row values view

Graphical card view

Grouping by arbitrary columns

Incremental search (Ctrl+I) through the data grid

Large objects (LOB) editor

Multi-table query result set editing

Paginal data browsing for large result sets

Data printing

Quick filter available for each data cell

Record numbering option

Read-only state indication

Report and pivot building directly from the data editor

Server-side sorting and filtering for large data sets

Visible columns dialog

Editing of multiple execution results of one script on separate tabs

Autocommit mode

Export selected data to CSV, HTML, and XML

Export selected data to JSON

Export selected data to SQL

Export selected data to a file

Database Explorer

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Multiple database connections

Filter objects in the objects folder

Browse and navigate through objects

Detailed object properties and data browsing in the Object Viewer window

Dependency tree browsing for each object

Quick template script generation for selected objects: SELECT, INSERT, etc.

The 'Send To' command for quick sending of tables to Query Builder, Data Report, and other tools

Search box

Duplicate objects (tables, views)

Duplicate structure/structure and data

Duplicate objects (procedures, functions)

Table Designer

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Flat table editor

Convenient editor for foreign keys

Partitioning support

Preview of schema changes before updating a database

Heuristics that helps define data types of new columns

Object Editor

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Visual editor for database objects

Backups

Undo option for the object editor

Schema & Data Comparison

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Comparison and synchronization of data in databases of virtually any size

Comparison of assemblies, procedures, functions, triggers, user types, sequences, synonyms, rules, defaults, plan guides

Comparison of external resources: tables, data sources, file formats

Service broker comparison (service, route, remote service binding, queue, message type, event notification, contract, broker priorities)

Storage comparison (full-text catalogs, partition schemes, partition functions, full-text stoplist, search property list)

Comparison of tables and views

Custom comparison keys

Comparison results filtering

Data synchronization script generation

Viewing of data differences per record

Exclusion of tables and records from synchronization

Saving and loading of comparison settings

Command-line interface for data comparison and synchronization

Generation of accurate comparison reports in HTML and Excel

Generation of comments

Specific options for tables, script objects, triggers, indexes, and constraints

Include\Exclude objects by mask in Data Compare

Include\Exclude objects by mask in Schema Compare

Schema comparison with script folders

Scheduled data synchronization

Save as Command Line

Comparison of directories

Support for Azure DW

Support for Azure Synapse

Support for SQL Server 2019

Data Export

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

CSV

XML

Text

XLS

XLSX

PDF

DBF

HTML

RTF

JSON

Google Sheets

MDB (Microsoft Access)

ODBC

SQL

Data export using the command-line interface

Data Import

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

CSV

Text

XML

JSON

XLS

XLSX

Google Sheets

DBF

MDB (Microsoft Access)

ODBC

Paradox file

Schema Export & Import

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Copy database

Database snapshots

Native backup/restore

Scheduled backup

Database script folders

Generation of database scripts

Source Control

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Integration with Azure DevOps (Git, TFVC)

Integration with Git (GitHub, GitLab, BitBucket)

Integration with SVN

Working folder with SQL scripts

Shared and dedicated database development models

Commit, Get Latest, Undo Changes

Resolve conflicts: Get Local and Get Remote

Preview changes and differences before committing

Version-control static data

View the history of changes (who, when and why made each change)

Administration

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Server Event Profiler

Server Monitor

User & Session Management

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Visual editors for users, logins, and roles

Visual editors for schemas

Visual editors for object level permissions

Data Analysis

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Display of table data representing parent-child dependencies (Master-Detail Browser)

Data report generation wizard

Data report designer

Pivot table designer

Сhart availability

Chart building wizard

Data search on a live database

Automated report generation and distribution using CLI

Test Data Generation

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Support for all SQL Server column data types

Limited

Multiple generators with data customization

SQL data integrity support

Multiple ways to populate data

Meaningful generators

User-defined generators

Real-time preview of generated data

CLI wizard

Database Documenter

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Broad picture of database structure

Rich customization features

HTML format

PDF format

Markdown format

Text format

Documentation customization with style templates

View inter-object and inter-database dependencies

Command-line interface

Performance Tuning

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Visual SQL explain plan

Session statistics displayed in the UI

Query plan displayed in the tree view for easy reviewing

Profiling history that can be saved for further analysis

Comparison of profiling results with the highlighting of differences

Printing of profiling results

Top performance reports

Query Profiler with comparison results

Search

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Search for database objects

Search for table data

Preview found pieces

Navigate to the object in Database Explorer

Unit Testing

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Unit testing based on the tSQLt framework

Command-line interface

DevOps Automation

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

PowerShell cmdlet collection

Jenkins plugin for SQL Server

TeamCity plugin for SQL Server

Azure DevOps plugin for SQL Server

Bamboo plugin for SQL Server

User Interface

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Start Page with quick access to main features

Rich user settings

UI skins

Customizable window layout

Tool windows with the auto-hide mode

Tool windows with the float mode

Multiple shortcut schemes with full shortcut customization

Syntax highlighting customization

Tabbed groups for documents

Toolbar customization

Wizard for sharing common code standards and templates

GUI font

Database Connectivity

dbForge Studio

Navicat Premium

Azure SQL Application ID

Connection coloring

Connection categories

Read-only connection

Multiple sessions for one connection

Export/Import of connections

SQL Server 2000 or later

Microsoft Azure SQL

Conclusions

The comparison above shows that dbForge Studio for SQL Server has a number of functional advantages that make it superior to Navicat: more sophisticated SQL development tools, schema and data comparison tools, test data generator, as well as documenting, query building, and unit testing tools. To top it off, dbForge Studio is far more affordable.

What is Navicat?

Navicat is an IDE designed to help SQL Server developers and administrators manage and maintain their databases with ease. However, with all of its capabilities, it boasts only a small part of what dbForge Studio has to offer.

What is the best alternative to Navicat for SQL Server?

dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a far more functional IDE that helps you deal with a wider range of tasks (see the feature comparison above).

Is there a free version of Navicat?

No. You can only get a 14-day fully functional trial. dbForge Studio is far more flexible in this respect, since you can either get a free Express Edition with basic SQL development and administration tools, or start with a 30-day free trial that is surely enough to get acquainted with the product and evaluate its capabilities.

What is the pricing of Navicat and dbForge Studio?

Navicat Premium is offered via monthly subscription, yearly subscription, or perpetual license. The actual prices differ between Non-Commercial and Enterprise editions, and you can check them on the official Navicat website.

dbForge Studio delivers a perpetual license with several editions to choose from (including the completely free Express Edition). In terms of price, the most expensive edition of the Studio equals the cheapest edition of Navicat. But the best thing is that you get twice as many vital features for the price.

Your ultimate IDE for SQL Server databases

dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a versatile development environment that has proved to be an exceptional assistant for SQL developers, administrators, and data analysts alike. Moreover, the free Express Edition is a great starting point for beginners, non-profit organizations, and generally for anyone who needs their basic set of features at hand.

Get dbForge Studio for SQL Server today!

Download dbForge Studio for a FREE 30-day trial
to evaluate all of its powerful capabilities
hidden under a sleek user interface.

Download

Top Alternative to Navicat for Windows

SQL Development Tools

Data and Schema Comparison

Visual Database Designer

Query Builder

Data Generator

Query Profiler

Feature-by-feature comparison

SQL Editing & Execution

Code Completion

T-SQL Debugger

Visual Query Builder

Database Designer

Data Editor

Database Explorer

Table Designer

Object Editor

Schema & Data Comparison

Data Export

Data Import

Schema Export & Import

Source Control

Administration

User & Session Management

Data Analysis

Test Data Generation

Database Documenter

Performance Tuning

Search

Unit Testing

DevOps Automation

User Interface

Database Connectivity

Conclusions

Your ultimate IDE for SQL Server databases

Get dbForge Studio for SQL Server today!

More feature-by-feature comparisons