Oracle SQL Developer Alternative Overview

When it comes to Oracle database development, many turn to a well-known, tried-and-true solution of Oracle SQL Developer, but overlook other possibilities that can work for their benefit.

A worthy alternative to SQL Developer is dbForge Studio for Oracle, a multi-purpose GUI tool, designed to improve and enhance your SQL development capabilities.

Our Oracle database IDE provides a bunch of competitive advantages over Oracle SQL Developer and supplies the essential functionality absent in the Developer tool, including smart PL/SQL coding with code completion, SQL query tuning, data and schema comparison, data export/import, and much more. Take a peek into the features of both tools compared below.

View the comprehensive description of features of dbForge Studio for Oracle on the Features page.

SQL Coding, Formatting & Refactoring

dbForge Studio for Oracle delivers excellent set of features, including code completion, PL/SQL formatting, and code refactoring.

The IDE covers the functionality, absent in Oracle SQL Developer, and provides the following capabilities:

  • Context-sensitive object suggestions for PL/SQL code, DDL, and security statements
  • JOIN clause auto generation
  • INSERT, SELECT, ALTER and UPDATE statements expansion
  • Multiple formatting profiles
  • Invalid objects identification
  • Refactoring of table aliases

Data and Schema Comparison

dbForge Studio for Oracle contains a unique combination of tools that empowers you to perform data and schema comparison and synchronization without much effort.

Our Oracle client offers a broader feature set as compared to Oracle SQL Developer and allows you to:

  • Compare BLOB data
  • Filter comparison results
  • Use command-line interface for data comparison and synchronization
  • Generate comparison reports in HTML and Excel formats
  • Compare snapshot and versioned snapshot

Database Projects

Unlike Oracle SQL Developer, dbForge Studio delivers the Database Projects functionality, which empowers you to develop db projects in offline mode and provides a set of configurations to speed up the deployment procedures.

A fully customizable environment of the Studio makes database development transparent and helps you to:

  • Organize your scripts and objects in one logical structure
  • Create several database outputs to suit your deployment needs
  • Automatically validate project syntax and references
  • Easily adjust the build order
  • Create the template for the future use

Query Builder

dbForge Studio comprises a powerful query building tool that will help you design even the most complex queries visually.

The feature enables you to create accurate code and facilitates the query creation process allowing you to:

  • Combine multiple queries into a sub-query
  • Preview and print the query diagram
  • Create complex conditions
  • View the query structure in Document Outline window
  • Edit and export query results

Query Profiler

The Studio features a query optimization tool that will examine any delays in the query execution, detect and fix slow-running queries.

dbForge Studio provides a broader query profiling functionality as compared to Oracle SQL Developer and helps you to:

  • Perform PL/SQL profiling to find performance bottlenecks
  • Track session statistics for the query
  • Compare profiling results visually
  • View and save profiling history
  • Return to any step of the query optimization and easily review, execute, or save the query

Data Generator

dbForge Studio Data Generator was designed to create large volumes of realistic test data in a wink. It comes with a rich set of features that make it critically important:

  • Support for all essential column data types
  • Meaningful generators with data customization
  • SQL data integrity support
  • Real-time preview of generated data
  • Save Command Line option

Data Generator corrects the drawbacks of Oracle SQL Developer and removes the time-consuming need to generate data manually, improving your productivity and simplifying the entire workflow.

Feature comparison table

The following table provides a detailed feature comparison of dbForge Studio for Oracle (Professional Edition) and Oracle SQL Developer 20. For quick navigation, please use the side menu.

SQL Editing

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Automatic SQL syntax check
Yes
Yes
Code outlining with support of user-defined collapsing regions
Yes
None
Code Snippets
Yes
Yes
Customizable SQL formatting and code beautifier
Yes
Yes
Formatting in files and directories
Yes
None
Disable formatting for a certain block of code (noformat tag)
Yes
None
Database identifier case synchronization
Yes
None
Adjust keyword case on typing
Yes
None
SQL formatting command-line interface
Yes
None
Automatically format completed statement on delimiter
Yes
None
Automatically format on paste
Yes
None
Database letter case coherence
Yes
None
Auto-Detect Formatter Settings
Yes
None
Execute current statement
Yes
Yes
Wildcard expansion
Yes
None
Quick information about schema objects
Yes
None
Parameter information for stored routines
Yes
None
Parameter information for functions
Yes
None
Quick access to favorite templates from SQL editor
Yes
None
SQL editor with syntax coloring, bookmarks, and text searching
Yes
Yes
Document Outline window for quick navigation through large scripts
Yes
None
Execution of scripts, selected SQL fragments, and statements
Yes
Yes
One-step access to a schema object editor from code (go to definition)
Yes
None
Executed SQL history window for the document
Yes
Yes
Read-only mode
Yes
Yes
Refactoring aliases and custom alias mapping
Yes
None
Renaming objects and variables
Yes
None
Enclosing needed identifiers in square brackets
Yes
None
Refactoring expressions by extracting them into functions, variables, and common table expressions
None
Yes
Surround a sequence of statements with a conditional or iterative statement: FOR loop, WHILE loop, PL/SQL block, IF condition
None
Yes
Obfuscate the code logic of the PL/SQL module
None
Yes
Toggle Ansi/Oracle Joins
None
Yes
Read-only mode
Yes
Yes
Backup and recovery of different file types
Yes
None

Code Completion

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Name suggestions for major objects
Yes
Yes
Name suggestions for advanced objects
Yes
None
ON condition suggestion for JOIN
Yes
None
Reverse ON condition suggestion for JOIN
Yes
None
Completion List (Popup) Speed
None
Yes
Suppress automatic Completion List (pop-ups) for more than "n" matches
None
Yes
Smart filtering in the suggestion list
Yes
None
Context-sensitive suggestion of keywords
Yes
None
Context-sensitive object suggestions
Yes
Yes
Context-sensitive object suggestions for PL/SQL code, DDL, and security statements
Yes
None
Context-sensitive object suggestions for common table expressions (CTE)
Yes
None
Sorting suggested keywords by relevance
Yes
None
Database context detection
Yes
None
Semi-transparent view of the suggestion box
Yes
None
Individual word recognition in CamelCase identifiers
Yes
None
Column picker for quick list building
Yes
None
JOIN clause auto generation
Yes
None
Disable/Enable Code Completion
Yes
Yes
Phrase completion
Yes
None
Auto-generation of table aliases
Yes
None
Custom alias mapping
Yes
None
Exclude databases from suggestion
Yes
None
Highlight occurrences of an identifier
Yes
None
Pair highlighting
Yes
Yes
Named regions
Yes
None
INSERT, SELECT, ALTER and UPDATE statements expansion
Yes
None

Visual Query Builder

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Query Builder
Yes
Yes
Keyboard Support
Yes
None
Zooming
Yes
None
The state-of-art diagram
Yes
None
Preview and printing of the diagram
Yes
None
Visual addition of sub-queries to any part of the main query
Yes
Yes
Query outline (displayed in Document Outline window)
Yes
None
Visual editing of sub-queries
Yes
Yes
Expression builder for creating complex conditions
Yes
None
Copy/Paste for tables on the diagram
Yes
None
Undo/Redo support
Yes
None

Visual Query Profiler

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
PL/SQL profiling to detect code performance bottlenecks
Yes
None
Visual SQL explain plan
Yes
Yes
Session statistics displayed in a UI
Yes
None
Plan of the query displayed in the tree view for easy review
Yes
Yes
Profiling history that can be saved for further analysis
Yes
None
Compare profiling results feature with differences highlight
Yes
None
Profiling results printing
Yes
None

Database Design

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Visual Database Designer
Yes
Yes
Visualization of tables, views, stored procedures
Yes
Yes
Easy access to database objects for viewing their properties, editing, retrieving data, executing stored routines, etc.
Yes
Yes
Support for IDEF1X and IE notations
Yes
Yes
Customizable diagram look and feel with skin support
Yes
None
Smart ER Diagram layout
Yes
None
Schema View window for browsing logical project structure
Yes
None
Diagram export to different image formats
Yes
Yes
Searching database objects on diagram
Yes
None
Organizing diagram shapes with containers
Yes
Yes
Optional displaying of table constraints and triggers
Yes
None
Integration with Document Outline window
Yes
None
Diagram navigation with Diagram Overview window
Yes
Yes
Notes for adding your comments to the diagram
Yes
None
Compare/merge diagrams
None
Yes
Diagram color
None
Yes

Data Editor

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Asynchronous data fetch with ability to cancel the operation
Yes
Yes
Batch table update mode when changes are accumulated and applied explicitly
Yes
None
Copying data with column headers for quick pasting to spreadsheet
None
Yes
Custom data filters of any complexity
Yes
None
Date time editor with visual interface
Yes
Yes
Foreign key lookup editor for easy editing of fields referencing other tables
Yes
None
Free copying of any block of data to clipboard
Yes
Yes
Full-text search (Ctrl+F) in data grid
Yes
Yes
Graphical card view
Yes
Yes
Grouping by arbitrary columns
Yes
None
Incremental search (Ctrl+I) through data grid
Yes
None
Large objects (LOB) editor
Yes
Yes
Multi-table query result set editing
Yes
Yes
Paginal data browsing for large result sets
Yes
None
Printing of data
Yes
Yes
Quick filter feature available for each data cell
Yes
Yes
Record numbering option
Yes
Yes
Read-only state indication
Yes
None
Report, chart building directly from data editor
Yes
Yes
Pivot building directly from data editor
Yes
None
Server-side sorting and filtering to help dealing with large data sets
Yes
None
Visible columns picking dialog box
Yes
Yes
Editing of multiple execution results of one script on separate tabs
Yes
Yes
Cached updates mode
Yes
None
Display of data type and size
Yes
None
Spatial/Map view
Yes
Yes
Auto commit option
Yes
Yes

Database Explorer

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Multiple database connections allowed
Yes
None
Asynchronous connecting to server with ability to cancel the operation
Yes
Yes
Browse and navigate through objects
Yes
Yes
Detailed object properties and data browsing in Object Viewer window
Yes
Yes
Dependency tree browsing for each object
Yes
None
Quick template script generation for selected object: SELECT, INSERT, EXECUTE, etc.
Yes
None
Customizable DDL generation via wizard
Yes
Yes
'Send To' command for quick sending of tables to Query Builder, Data Report, and other tools
Yes
None
Quick access to object privileges (GRANT) from the popup menu
Yes
None
Multi-selection for batch operations on objects
Yes
Yes
Database navigation history
Yes
None
Find and Recompile Invalid Objects functionality
Yes
None
Cart for different objects
None
Yes
OWA Output
None
Yes
Compare object with other file
None
Yes

Table Designer

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Flat table editor
Yes
None
Convenient editor for foreign keys
Yes
Yes
Partitioning support
Yes
Yes
Full-text search on the column grid
Yes
Yes
Schema changes can be viewed before updating database
Yes
Yes
Heuristics helps define data type of new columns
Yes
Yes
Temporal validity
Yes
None

Object Editor

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Create and manipulate database objects through graphical interface
Yes
None
Visual editors for the following schema object types:
Database link
Yes
Yes
Public Database link
None
Yes
Cluster
Yes
None
Check constraint
Yes
Yes
Foreign key
Yes
Yes
Index
Yes
Yes
Materialized view
Yes
None
Materialized view log
Yes
None
Package
Yes
Yes
Sequence
Yes
Yes
Stored function
Yes
Yes
Stored procedure
Yes
Yes
Synonym
Yes
Yes
Public Synonym
None
Yes
Table
Yes
Yes
Trigger
Yes
Yes
Unique key
Yes
Yes
User type
Yes
None
View
Yes
None
Editions
None
Yes
Java
None
Yes
OLAP option
None
Yes
Queues
None
Yes
Queue tables
None
Yes
Analytic Views
Yes
None
Directories
None
Yes
Schedules
None
Yes
RDF Semantic Graph
Yes
None
XML DB Repository
None
Yes
XML schema
Yes
Yes
All schema objects search based on a variety of parameters
Yes
Yes
Object refactoring
Yes
Yes

Schema comparison and synchronization

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Comparing objects
Yes
Yes
Comparing and synchronizing data in databases of virtually any size
Yes
Yes
Comparison of tables, views, materialized views, and custom queries
Yes
Yes
Custom comparison keys support
Yes
None
Option for BLOB data comparison
Yes
None
Comparison results filtering
Yes
None
Data synchronization script generation
Yes
Yes
Per record viewing of data differences
Yes
Yes
Excluding tables and records from synchronization
Yes
Yes
Command-line interface for data comparison and synchronization
Yes
None
Generating accurate comparison reports in HTML and Excel formats
Yes
None
You can learn the full feature list for data comparison tool
Yes
None
Big set of options
Yes
None
Ability to compare snapshot and versioned snapshot
Yes
None
Comparison of object types
Yes
Yes
Materialized view/Materialized view logs compare
Yes
Yes
TFS 2015 support
Yes
None

Data export to:

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
CSV
Yes
Yes
XML
Yes
Yes
Text
Yes
Yes
XLS
Yes
Yes
XLSX
Yes
Yes
PDF
Yes
Yes
DBF
Yes
None
HTML
Yes
Yes
RTF
Yes
None
MDB (Access)
Yes
None
ODBC
Yes
None
T2
None
Yes
SQL
Yes
Yes
Schema View window for browsing logical project structure
Yes
None
JSON
Yes
Yes
Google Sheets
Yes
None
Loader
None
Yes
Export data from multiple tables at once
Yes
Yes
Export data from command line interface
Yes
None

Data import from:

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
CSV
Yes
Yes
XML
Yes
None
Text
Yes
Yes
XLS
Yes
Yes
XLSX
Yes
Yes
DSV
None
Yes
DBF
Yes
None
JSON
Yes
None
Google Sheets
Yes
None
MDB (Access)
Yes
None
ODBC
Yes
None
Import data from the command-line interface
Yes
None
Templates for exporting and importing
Yes
None

Schema Export and Import

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Comprehensive Oracle database schema export wizard
Yes
Yes
Comprehensive Oracle database schema import wizard
Yes
None
Export of Oracle object definition schemas and their data
Yes
Yes
Reverse engineer objects DDL including roles, permissions to recreate objects in a different db/schema
Yes
None
Schema export projects to save settings for future use
Yes
None
Zip compression for export output files
Yes
Yes
Command-line support for automating schema export
Yes
None
Error and status logging
Yes
None
Export to single file, separate file, separate directories, type file, worksheet, clipboard
None
Yes

Oracle Debugger

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
PL/SQL code debugging
Yes
Yes
Script debugging
Yes
Yes
Step Into, Step Over, and Step Out commands for step-by-step execution
Yes
Yes
Breakpoints support for procedures, functions, triggers, and scripts
Yes
Yes
Breakpoints window
Yes
Yes
Call Stack window with navigation
Yes
Yes
Watches window for variable evaluation
Yes
Yes

Database Projects

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Database Projects
Yes
None
New project wizard with import from an existing database
Yes
None
Project Explorer window for managing project files
Yes
None
Schema View window for browsing logical project structure
Yes
None
Project export into one of multiple scripts
Yes
None
Multiple build configurations
Yes
None
Single-click project deployment on the server
Yes
None
Workspace saving
Yes
None

Administration and Maintenance

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Comprehensive Security Manager to administer user accounts and privileges
Yes
Yes
Session manager for monitoring active Oracle server connections and tracing user sessions
Yes
Yes
Event Monitor for monitoring Oracle database alerts and pipe messages
Yes
Yes
Manage database
None
Yes
Hadoop integration
None
Yes

Data Analysis

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Data reports
Yes
Yes
Display table data representing Parent-Child dependencies (Master-Detail Browser)
Yes
None
Data report generation wizard
Yes
None
Data report designer
Yes
Yes
Pivot table designer
Yes
None
Chart report
Yes
Yes
Chart building wizard
Yes
None
Data search on a live database
Yes
Yes
Automate report generation and distribution (command line support)
Yes
None

Data Generation

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Аbility to generate data
Yes
None
Multiple ways to populate data
Yes
None
200+ Meaningful generators
Yes
None
User-defined generators
Yes
None
Real-time preview of generated data
Yes
None

Database Documenter

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Database Doc
Yes
Yes
Object selecting for documentation
Yes
None
HTML format
Yes
Yes
PDF format
Yes
None
Markdown format
Yes
None

User Interface

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Start page providing easy access to main product features
Yes
Yes
Rich user settings
Yes
Yes
UI skins
Yes
None
Customizable window layout
Yes
Yes
Tool windows with Auto-hide and Float modes
Yes
None
Multiple shortcut schemes with full shortcut customization
Yes
Yes
Syntax highlight customization
Yes
Yes
Tabbed groups for documents
Yes
Yes
Toolbars customization
Yes
Yes
Wizard for sharing common code standards and templates
Yes
None
Styled icons are used by default
Yes
Yes

Other Features

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Digital signature for the installation file
Yes
Yes
Support for PowerShell
Yes
None
Command-line execution file wizard
Yes
Additional tool
Change Manager Support
None
Yes
REST Data Services
None
Yes
DBA Navigator
None
Yes
SVN and GIT connection support
None
Yes
OLAP templates and snippets
None
Yes
Database copy
None
Yes
Migration and cloud migration
None
Yes

Oracle Database Connectivity

dbForge Studio*
Oracle SQL Developer*
Support for Oracle versions from 10 to 20с
Yes
Yes
Ability to use several Oracle Homes in a single application
Yes
Yes
Instant Client support
Yes
Yes
Optional direct access mode for establishing connections without Oracle client software
Yes
Yes
Working with Oracle on Amazon RDS
Yes
Yes
Unicode support
Yes
Yes
Connection color
Yes
Yes
Proxy connection
Yes
Yes
OS authentication
Yes
Yes
Kerberos authentication
None
Yes
Cloud connections
None
Yes
Support for server connection via IPv6
None
Yes
Data miner connection
None
Yes

How to select the best tool for database development? You need to research the market, find the variants, and study their pros and cons to make sure that the tool you are going to choose meets all your needs.

In this video, we have prepared a comparison of the two most popular solutions for developing Oracle databases - dbForge Studio for Oracle and Oracle SQL Developer. Both are feature-rich and powerful, however differ in functionality. Watch the video to understand which tool suits you better.

To test-drive dbForge Studio for Oracle, download its 30-day free trial and evaluate all the cutting-edge features it offers.

Your ultimate Oracle IDE

dbForge Studio for Oracle is a versatile GUI tool, whose robust functionality proves to be ideal for Oracle database development and management. With smart code completion, data generation, and database projects features, our Studio is an excellent alternative to Oracle SQL Developer.

dbForge Studio for Oracle

Get a free 30-day trial of dbForge Studio and benefit from the broad feature set behind a handy user interface.
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