Salesforce ODBC drivers solve a specific problem: they allow SQL-based tools to query Salesforce data without requiring custom API integrations. That capability matters because Salesforce holds over 20% of the global CRM market and is used by more than 150,000 companies worldwide, making it the largest CRM ecosystem in operation today.
With these drivers, SQL queries are translated into Salesforce API calls, allowing BI platforms, reporting tools, and ETL pipelines to work with CRM data as if it were stored in a relational database. Tools like Power BI, Tableau, Excel, and data warehouse pipelines can connect directly to Salesforce without building custom REST or SOAP integrations.
This guide compares the best Salesforce ODBC connector tools in 2026, focusing on the factors that matter most in production environments.
Table of contents- Why use ODBC drivers for Salesforce data access?
- List of the best Salesforce ODBC connectors
- Comparison table: Features, platform support, pricing, and best use case
- How to choose a Salesforce ODBC connector
- What to pick for BI reporting vs ETL vs admin work
- Takeaway
- FAQ
Why use ODBC drivers for Salesforce data access?
An ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) driver is a software layer that lets applications query external data sources using SQL. It takes SQL requests from tools and translates them into API calls or queries that the target system understands.
In Salesforce environments, ODBC drivers make it much easier to work with CRM data. Instead of building custom integrations with REST or SOAP APIs, teams can connect analytics tools directly to Salesforce and query the data with SQL.
In practice, this brings the following important advantages.
| Benefit | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| SQL access without API development | Analysts and BI tools can query Salesforce using SQL instead of building REST or SOAP integrations. |
| Integration with analytics platforms | Tools like Tableau, Power BI, Excel, Crystal Reports, Qlik, and SAP BusinessObjects can connect directly to Salesforce. |
| Built-in authentication handling | Modern drivers support OAuth and automatically manage API sessions. |
| Reusable data connectivity | Teams can reuse DSN configurations, schedule queries, and integrate Salesforce data into BI or ETL pipelines. |
At a practical level, the driver acts as a bridge between Salesforce APIs and SQL-based analytics tools, making it much easier to access and analyze CRM data across reporting and data integration workflows.
With that context in mind, let’s look at the Salesforce ODBC drivers most commonly used in analytics and data integration environments.
List of the best Salesforce ODBC connectors
Several vendors offer ODBC Salesforce drivers designed to provide SQL access to Salesforce data. While they serve the same basic purpose, they differ in areas like authentication support, platform compatibility, performance, and integration with BI or ETL tools.
Here are some of the most widely used Salesforce ODBC connectors, along with their key features and typical use cases.
1. Devart ODBC Driver for Salesforce
Company: Devart
Compatibility: Windows (32/64-bit), macOS (64-bit), Linux (64-bit)
Best for: Cross-platform Salesforce connectivity for BI, analytics, and ETL workflows
Devart ODBC Driver for Salesforce provides direct ODBC access to live Salesforce data from reporting, analytics, BI, and ETL tools. It supports SQL and SOQL queries, OAuth authentication over HTTPS, and DML operations, making it suitable for teams that need secure, cross-platform Salesforce connectivity without building custom integrations.
Features
- SQL-92 compatible SELECT support
- SQL and SOQL query support
- INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations
- OAuth authentication
- HTTPS connectivity
- Proxy support
- ODBC tracing and diagnostics support
- Integration with BI, analytics, and ETL tools
- DSN-based connectivity and advanced connection options
Pros
- Cross-platform support
- Supports both SQL/SOQL and DML operations
- Built-in OAuth support
- Works with common reporting and ETL tools
Cons
- Server licensing costs rise for multi-user deployments
- Performance may still need tuning for large Salesforce workloads
Price
Desktop edition starts at $179.95; server editions are priced separately by edition and deployment scope.
2. CData Salesforce ODBC Driver
Company: CData Software
Compatibility: Windows, Unix, macOS
Best for: Teams that want a feature-rich ODBC layer with broad integration options across BI, ETL, and custom workflows
CData Salesforce ODBC Driver provides live SQL-based access to Salesforce data through a standard ODBC interface. It supports CRUD operations, SQL-92 to SOQL translation, metadata-rich schema discovery, stored procedures, and broad authentication options, making it a strong fit for organizations already using the CData connectivity stack.
Features
- Read, write, and update access to Salesforce data
- SQL-92 queries mapped to SOQL
- Support for custom entities
- Batch and atomic update operations
- Stored procedures
- Metadata querying and schema discovery
- Pushdown query optimization
- Client-side query execution for unsupported server-side operations
- OAuth and enterprise authentication options
- BI, reporting, ETL, and linked-server integrations
Pros
- Very broad feature set
- Strong metadata and schema handling
- Good fit for BI and ETL ecosystems
- Supports advanced auth options and stored procedures
Cons
- Subscription pricing can add up
- Some enterprise scenarios require server licensing or higher-tier arrangements
Price
Desktop license starts at $499/year; server licensing is available by quote.
3. Simba Salesforce ODBC Driver
Company: insightsoftware (Simba)
Compatibility: Windows, Linux, macOS
Best for: Enterprise analytics environments and OEM/embedded connectivity scenarios
Through Salesforce’s native API, the Simba Salesforce ODBC Driver lets you access Salesforce data using SQL-92. Metadata support, joins and aggregations, ODBC 3.8 compliance, and broad platform coverage make it a good choice for analytics and reporting. In enterprise and embedded connectivity situations, it is used a lot.
Features
- SQL-92 access to Salesforce data
- Real-time access through Salesforce API
- Metadata support
- Joins and aggregations
- ODBC 3.8 compliance
- Unicode support
- BI and reporting tool compatibility
- OAuth 2.0 is documented in the configuration guidance
Pros
- Strong enterprise and OEM pedigree
- Good fit for analytics/reporting stacks
- Mature standards support
- Broad platform coverage
Cons
- Public pricing is not available
- Setup may be heavier than lightweight desktop-first drivers
Price
Pricing is available through sales and distribution channels, not listed publicly.
4. Progress DataDirect ODBC Driver for Salesforce
Company: Progress Software
Compatibility: Windows, Linux, Unix, AIX, Solaris, HP-UX
Best for: Large enterprises standardizing on DataDirect connectivity products
The Progress DataDirect ODBC Driver for Salesforce is designed for high-performance and reliable connections across a wide range of platforms. The official product page talks about SQL access, Bulk API support for loading and fetching data, client-side caching, multiple sessions at the same time, OAuth 2.0, and the ability to work with popular BI and analytics tools.
Features
- SQL access to Salesforce data
- Support for Salesforce Bulk API for bulk load
- Support for Salesforce Bulk API for bulk fetch
- Client-side caching
- Multiple simultaneous sessions
- OAuth 2.0 support
- Encryption at rest and in transit
- BI and analytics tool integration
Pros
- Broad enterprise platform support
- Strong performance options for large datasets
- Useful caching and Bulk API features
- Mature enterprise connectivity positioning
Cons
- Enterprise-oriented licensing
- More expensive than desktop-focused competitors
Price
Pricing is typically enterprise-based and varies depending on deployment size and environment.
5. Easysoft ODBC-Salesforce Driver
Company: Easysoft Ltd.
Compatibility: Windows, Linux, Unix
Best for: Connecting Salesforce to traditional ODBC-based reporting and desktop tools
The Easysoft ODBC-Salesforce Driver is for businesses that want to connect to Salesforce directly from their old reporting and data tools. It works with both SQL and SOQL, allows real-time access, lets you export data, archive it, and securely log in with OAuth and SSO options like Azure AD, ADFS, OneLogin, and Okta.
Features
- SQL and SOQL query support
- Real-time Salesforce access
- Data export and archiving
- Two-way integration scenarios
- Metadata discovery
- OAuth support
- SSO support for Azure AD, ADFS, OneLogin, and Okta
- Compatibility with tools like Excel, Access, SQL Server, Oracle, Crystal Reports, and Cognos
Pros
- Strong fit for traditional reporting environments
- Flexible SQL/SOQL approach
- Good SSO coverage
- Works well with familiar ODBC desktop tools
Cons
- Smaller ecosystem and lower market visibility than larger vendors
- No public product-page pricing
Price
Commercial licensing is available, and a free trial is offered. Product pricing is surfaced through the order cart rather than listed directly on the main product page.
Now that we’ve reviewed the individual drivers, it helps to compare them side by side.
Comparison table: Features, platform support, pricing, and best use case
When choosing a Salesforce ODBC driver, you should think about a few practical things, such as whether it works with your platform, whether it supports authentication, what its licensing model is, and how well it works with BI or ETL tools.
The table below shows a quick comparison of the connectors covered in this guide so you can see how they work and what they are usually used for.
| Tool | Best for | OS | Auth | Read/write | SQL support notes | Logging/diagnostics | BI / ETL fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devart ODBC Driver for Salesforce | Cross-platform BI and ETL connectivity | Win / macOS / Linux | OAuth | Yes | SQL translation over Salesforce APIs | Yes | Strong |
| CData Salesforce ODBC Driver | Organizations using the CData ecosystem | Win / macOS / Linux | OAuth / SSO | Yes | SQL access to Salesforce objects | Yes | Strong |
| Simba Salesforce ODBC Driver | Enterprise analytics deployments | Win / macOS / Linux | OAuth / Salesforce auth | Yes | SQL-92 compatibility | Basic | Strong |
| Progress DataDirect ODBC Driver | Enterprise connectivity platforms | Win / Linux / Unix (+ enterprise Unix variants) | OAuth / enterprise | Yes | High-performance SQL layer | Advanced | Strong |
| Easysoft ODBC-Salesforce | Legacy reporting and ODBC apps | Win / Linux / Unix | OAuth / SSO | Yes | SQL / SOQL support | Yes | Good |
Once you’ve seen how the tools compare, the next step is deciding which driver fits your environment best.
How to choose a Salesforce ODBC connector
In the real world, not all Salesforce ODBC drivers work the same way. The best option for you will depend on how you plan to access Salesforce data, what tools you connect to it, and your company’s security or deployment needs.
Pay attention to the following when judging connectors.
Security and authentication
Find drivers that work with OAuth and modern SSO login. Many businesses need to connect to identity providers like Azure AD, Okta, or other enterprise identity systems.
How good is the SQL translation?
Salesforce does not show data as a relational database. A good driver must be able to quickly turn SQL queries into Salesforce API calls and send back results in a way that analytics tools can easily understand.
Finding metadata
Strong connectors automatically turn Salesforce objects, fields, and relationships into relational-style tables. This means that BI tools can understand the data model without having to set it up by hand.
Improving performance
A lot of API traffic can come from large Salesforce datasets. A lot of drivers have performance features like:
- Tuning the fetch size
- Pagination of queries
- Caching on the spot
- Retrying when API rate limits are reached
These features help keep query performance stable when working with big datasets.
Compatibility with different platforms
Make sure the driver works with the architecture of your BI or analytics tool. Some systems still need 32-bit drivers, but most modern systems use 64-bit connections.
Model for licensing
Different licensing methods are used by ODBC drivers. Some charge by the number of desktops installed, while others charge by the number of servers, CPU cores, or business environments. Pick a model that works with how the driver will be used by your team.
It is helpful to see how different drivers fit different use cases because different workloads often need different drivers.
What to pick for BI reporting vs ETL vs admin work
Different Salesforce ODBC drivers work better with different types of work. Some companies put more emphasis on analytics integrations, while others focus on connecting enterprise data or old reporting systems.
The following table shows which drivers usually work best based on how Salesforce data is used.
| Use case | Recommended drivers | Why do they work well |
|---|---|---|
| BI reporting and dashboards | Devart, CData, Simba | Strong integration with analytics tools like Power BI, Tableau, and reporting platforms. |
| ETL pipelines and data warehousing | Devart, CData, Progress DataDirect | Reliable SQL access, stable API handling, and good integration with data pipelines. |
| Enterprise data integration platforms | Progress DataDirect, Simba | Designed for enterprise connectivity layers and often used in large analytics stacks. |
| Legacy reporting environments | Easysoft | Works well with older ODBC-based applications and traditional reporting tools. |
No matter which driver you choose, you should test the connector with your BI platform, the limits of the Salesforce API, and the amount of data you expect to send.
Looking for the Salesforce ODBC driver download? Tools like the Devart ODBC Driver for Salesforce offer free trials. This lets you test how queries work and how well they work with other software before putting them into use.
Takeaway
Different drivers are made for different settings, as this guide shows. Some are made to connect analytics tools across platforms, while others are made for enterprise integration platforms or old reporting tools. Which connector will actually work best depends on things like support for authentication, quality of SQL translation, platform compatibility, and licensing models.
The Devart ODBC Driver for Salesforce is often seen as a good choice by companies that want a solution that works with a variety of analytics tools and operating systems. This is because it supports multiple platforms and is compatible with common BI and ETL platforms.
It is important to test how the driver works with your analytics tools, expected query patterns, and the limits of the Salesforce API before committing to a connector. It’s easier to test performance and compatibility in your own environment with trial versions from most vendors.
Download the Devart ODBC Driver for Salesforce and try it with your analytics workflow to see how it fits your Salesforce data integration needs.
FAQ
Can I create an ODBC connection to Salesforce without extracting data?
Yes. Many Salesforce ODBC drivers allow tools to query Salesforce data in real time. Instead of exporting data first, the driver translates SQL queries into Salesforce API calls and returns the results directly to the analytics or reporting application.
Do OAuth and MFA work with Salesforce ODBC drivers?
Most new Salesforce ODBC drivers can use OAuth authentication and work with enterprise identity providers. This lets companies use MFA, single sign-on (SSO), and identity platforms like Azure AD or Okta to safely verify Salesforce connections.
Why can’t I connect to Salesforce ODBC in Power BI or Excel?
Problems with connecting are often caused by authentication errors, expired OAuth tokens, wrong DSN settings, or Salesforce API limits. Most connection problems can be fixed by checking driver settings, refreshing authentication tokens, and looking over API usage limits.
Are there any free ODBC drivers for Salesforce?
Most Salesforce ODBC drivers are paid products made for business analytics settings. But a lot of vendors offer free trials so teams can see if their software works with other programs, how well it handles queries, and how well it works with BI tools before they buy a license.
What’s the difference between a Salesforce ODBC driver and an ETL connector?
A Salesforce ODBC driver provides SQL-based access to Salesforce data so reporting tools and analytics platforms can query it directly. ETL connectors, on the other hand, are designed to extract, transform, and load data into databases or data warehouses as part of scheduled data integration pipelines.
