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Five things you need to know about SQL Server data tools:

  • Microsoft SQL Server is an RDBMS that lets you store and manage information, process transactions, and generate business intelligence.
  • Because SQL Server has limitations and complications, using an SQL Server data tool might prove useful. These tools can help you manage your database or move data from the SQL Server platform to another location. 
  • SQL Server data tool features include database development, database backup, schema editing, database migrations, customizations, data importing/exporting, and SQL editing. 
  • Integrate.io is a data warehouse integration tool that can replicate data from SQL Server to a data warehouse via its native low-code/no-code connector. 
  • Using Integrate.io for SQL Server helps you create a 360-degree view of your customers, improve operational insights, and tackle high-volume traffic. 

Microsoft SQL Server is an RDBMS (relational database management system) for managing and storing information, transaction processing, and business intelligence. Managing a database on SQL Server or moving data to and from the platform can be challenging at the best of times. However, various SQL Server data tools can streamline these processes and improve scalability, functionality, and features. 

Learn about the top 10 SQL Server data tools for 2024 below and discover how Integrate.io can replicate data from your SQL Server database to a supported warehouse.

SQL Server Data Tools, Explained

Before you read about different tools for SQL Server, learn more about the benefits of incorporating this software into your tech stack:

  • SQL Server data tools can move SQL Server data to a new destination, such as a data warehouse. That provides a single source of truth for SQL Server data and allows you to run that data through business intelligence (BI) tools for incredible insights about your workflows. The easiest way to move SQL Server data to a target system is Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL). This process extracts data from an SQL Server database transforms it into the correct format for analysis and loads it into a supported warehouse. 
  • SQL Server data tools can also help you configure your database system. That lets you manage and query data in SQL Server more effectively, resulting in successful data management outcomes. 
  • These tools can also help programmers and administrators spend less time on database administration. Many platforms include a script editor, reporting features, and querying capabilities that speed up workflows and lead to more efficient database management. 

Here are 10 SQL Server data tools you need to know about in 2024:

1. Integrate.io 

Integrate.io moves SQL Server data to a supported target system, providing a comprehensive view of your customer data. You can replicate your data from SQL Server using this platform and learn more about the customers who purchase your products and services. 

Integrate.io's data replication features can improve decision-making in your organization by unlocking valuable insights about your organizational workflows. With its simple point-and-click drag-and-drop functionality, Integrate.io makes it easy to ETL data from SQL Server to a warehouse, making it one of the best SQL Server data tools. 

No SQL Server data integration project is too big for Integrate.io. The platform can handle high-volume traffic with its dedicated bandwidth capabilities. You can also access proactive customer support when moving data to a target system and ensure the success of your data projects. 

Moving SQL Server data to a target system has never been easier. Integrate.io provides the fastest connector for SQL Server data replication on the market, allowing you to transfer data to a warehouse without lots of code or data engineering. You can determine the replication frequency of your SQL Server database and choose which SQL Server data goes through the replication process. 

Integrate.io is a data warehouse integration solution that transfers SQL Server data to a supported data warehouse in minutes, saving you countless developer hours. You can replicate data from SQL Server to a warehouse and generate a 360-degree view of your data without lots of code or data engineering. Why not try a 14-day free trial and learn why Integrate.io is one of the best SQL Server data tools?

2. MySQL Workbench

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MySQL Workbench is an SQL Server data tool that can improve SQL development, data modeling, database administration, and querying. Use this platform to create and manage an SQL Server database on Windows, Linux, and any other operating system. 

One of the best features of MySQL Workbench is its visual SQL editor that lets you create and run SQL queries at scale. You can test all changes to your database before they go live and debug SQL statements quickly with in-built auto-complete capabilities. MySQL Workbench also boasts a dashboard that lets you view information about SQL performance. 

Other features include reverse engineering, database backup, server configuration, and database migration to and from PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, and other platforms. You can also audit your database and check for any errors that hinder data management processes. 

Read more: How to Implement Change Data Capture in SQL Server

3. Oracle SQL Developer

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Oracle SQL Developer is one of the best SQL Server data tools because of its incredible range of features for database management. These features include SQL worksheets, object browsers, data models, and a simple UI. The platform also has an SQL editor that lets you run database management tests. You can create scripts that improve SQL formatting and track database activities. 

Oracle SQL Editor also offers real-time metrics that provide in-depth insights into your SQL database projects. You can generate reports about database productivity and performance and identify bottlenecks that might impact the functionality of your SQL Server database.

Other features include database migrations, automation, a procedure editor, and a simple pricing structure. 

4. SQLite Studio

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Unlike the other SQL Server data tools on this list, SQLite Studio is open source, meaning it won't cost you anything. Despite its open-source nature, SQLite's developers keep this platform well-maintained and install the latest security patches, making it a good option for those who don't want to pay for an SQL Server tool. You can also customize the appearance of SQLite however you like. 

SQLite has database administration capabilities that let you track the health of your SQL Server database. It also offers an SQL editor for coding and querying data. Another popular feature is the ability to import and export data in formats such as XML, JSON, CSV, and HTML, making it easy to move cross-platform data.

Read more: Which Modern Database Is Right for Your Use Case?

5. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

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Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio is one of the most popular SQL Server data tools. Created by Microsoft, its primary feature is an advanced and integrated script editor that you can use for SQL Server querying languages such as MDX, DMX, and Transact-SQL. The script editor helps you administer and manage your SQL Server database, Microsoft Azure SQL Database, Microsoft Azure SQL Data Warehouse, or Parallel Data Warehouse. In-built templates make scripting less of a chore and help you code more successfully.

Another feature of SQL Server Management Studio is the opportunity to manage database objects in different server types with the tool's Object Explorer feature. You can control various instances in your server with this feature's hierarchical user interface and improve database management.

6. Aqua Data Studio

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Aqua Data Studio makes this list of the best SQL Server data tools because of its broad range of query management, database server, data analysis, and SQL development features. It's one of the most straightforward SQL Server tools to navigate because it has a grid editing system like Microsoft Excel, making it a good fit for those new to relational database management. You can edit data using simple cells and make changes to your database with a small amount of code. Aqua Data Studio also offers a visual query builder that lets you create complicated database queries, even if you don't understand the syntax of SQL statements. 

Another feature of Aqua Data Studio is support for relational, cloud, and NoSQL databases. Plus, you can view database insights on interactive dashboards and graphs and share these with team members. 

7. dbForge Studio

One of the best SQL Server data management tools, dbForge Studio helps database administrators (DBAs) improve performance, productivity, and tracking. It has a T-SQL editor for building table designs and lets you visualize database object structures. 

dbForge Studio helps you monitor server events and quickly fix any problems that might impact your relational database. It also offers a visual table editor, providing more control over your data. 

Other key features include refactoring, coding assistance, tutorials, support for different data types, SQL script automation, and capabilities that speed up SQL coding. You can also view database insights on intuitive dashboards and reports and learn more about data management in your enterprise. 

8. Microsoft Azure Data Studio

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Microsoft Azure Data Studio is a free, open-source, cross-platform SQL Server data tool based on Visual Studio Code. Developers and admins can use this platform to write and edit SQL queries with its powerful SQL code editor. Data Studio supports Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems. 

Aside from its advanced SQL editor, Data Studio provides data visualizations and in-depth reports, helping you view database insights at a granular level. You can also personalize the UI to the workflows you use most frequently, making it easier to manage your SQL Server database. 

Third-party extensions provide you with access to other services that can improve database deployment and management. 

In addition to SQL Server, Data Studio works with Microsoft SQL Azure, PostgreSQL, and other databases. 

9. TablePlus

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TablePlus is another of the many SQL Server data tools that offer an advanced query editor, helping you autocomplete queries and highlight SQL syntax. Doing this can make it easier to query data in your SQL Server database and improve workflows. TablePlus also has a graphical UI with many filters, allowing you to view database records quickly. 

One of the best features of TablePlus is its security. The tool provides TLS, multi-step authentication, and encryption, letting you protect your most sensitive data. TablePlus' safe mode lets you double-check database changes before you implement them for real. 

Other features include third-party plugins and database migrations. You can also view database insights with graphs, charts, and heat maps. That provides intelligence about your database operations and helps you identify trends and patterns in data. 

10. SQuirreL SQL

Are you searching for open-source SQL Server data tools? SQuirreL SQL is a free platform for managing your SQL Server database that's regularly updated by its developers. It also has an SQL editor for coding queries that doesn't require a steep learning curve. The editor recommends suggestions as you code, making your database projects more successful. While this editor is not as feature-heavy as others on this list, it simplifies the coding process for those new to SQL Server database management. 

Another feature of SQuirreL SQL is the ability to compare SQL queries in a single table view, which makes query analysis easy. The most recent version of the tool includes multiple cursor editing, configurable right-mouse menus, Java compatibility, new session properties searches, and improvements to saved sessions. 

Other features include script generation, graphing, and the ability to bookmark SQL statements while coding. SQuirreL SQL can also connect JDBC-compliant databases. 

Read more: Integrating Relational Databases with Apache Hadoop

How Integrate.io Helps You Optimize SQL Server Data

Managing relational databases can be an uphill struggle for many companies like yours. While Microsoft SQL Server is one of the easier RMDBs out there, it still requires an advanced skillset and lots of data experience, especially when moving SQL Server data to a new destination. 

Integrate.io transfers SQL Server data to a supported target system with its low-code/no-code native ETL connector. You can replicate data from SQL Server to a data warehouse to generate a single source of truth, handle high-volume traffic, and get a 360-degree overview of your customers. 

Here's how Integrate.io replicates SQL Server data to a supported target destination:

  • Integrate.io extracts data from SQL Server and places it into a staging area.
  • Integrate.io then transforms SQL Server data into the correct format.
  • Finally, Integrate.io loads the transformed data to a supported data warehouse.
  • At this point, you can run SQL Server data through BI tools and generate intelligence about your business.

Read more: Allowing Integrate.io ETL access to Microsoft SQL Server Databases

It's not just Microsoft SQL Server. Integrate.io can move data to and from multiple sources and destinations with its native out-of-the-box connectors, removing the need for lots of code and big data pipeline building. Here are some of the other data integration processes Integrate.io facilitates:

ELT

Perfect for large structured and unstructured data sets, Extract, Load, and Transform (ELT) moves data from a source to a supported repository. It extracts data from a source such as a database, customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, or SaaS tool. Then it loads that data into a suitable data warehouse and transforms it into the correct format for analysis. Now you can run data through BI tools and learn more about organizational workflows. 

Reverse ETL

Reverse ETL lets you transfer data from a target system to an operational system of record, such as Salesforce. That helps your team analyze data in systems they already use daily. Integrate.io can perform fast Reverse ETL and help you handle your data management workflows. 

CDC

Integrate.io can also execute super-fast CDC. This process tracks changes to a database in real-time or near-real time, providing access to the most recent data in your organization. CDC can also reduce the need for batch processing by facilitating real-time streaming or incremental loading. 

Other Integrate.io features include:

  • Superior customer service
  • API generation/management
  • Compliance with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and other data governance frameworks
  • Salesforce-to-Salesforce integrations
  • Fast data transformations
  • Simple workflow creation for dependencies between tasks
  • Webinars, books, documentation, and tutorials

Integrate.io is one of the best SQL Server data tools for moving data from Microsoft SQL Server to a supported target location. Learn more about Integrate.io's data transformation capabilities with a 14-day trial, or email hello@integrate.io to talk to a team member. After signing up, schedule your ETL trial meeting with a data integration expert.