Comparing Devart, Redgate, and ApexSQL tools

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 most 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
  • Smart 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

dbForge SQL Complete vs Redgate SQL Prompt vs ApexSQL Complete:
feature-by-feature comparison

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 the 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 will save you time and help you create easily-readable and error-free code at an affordable cost.

What is Redgate SQL Prompt?

Redgate SQL Prompt is a powerful 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 quality of code produced making it both accurate and neat.

What is ApexSQL Complete?

ApexSQL Complete is a productivity-enhancing tool that offers 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.

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.

The below table presents a detailed comparison of dbForge SQL Complete (v6.15), Redgate SQL Prompt (v10.14.10.7538), and ApexSQL Complete (v2022.01.0641). For quick navigation, use the side menu.

Code Completion

dbForge SQL Complete
Redgate SQL Prompt
ApexSQL Complete
Statement expansion (INSERT, UPDATE, ALTER, and EXEC)
Yes
Yes
None
Name suggestions for major objects
Yes
Yes
Yes
Name suggestions for advanced objects
Yes
Yes
None
Smart filtering in the suggestion list
Yes
Yes
Yes
Context-sensitive keyword suggestions
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
Complete JOIN statement suggestions with search conditions
Yes
None
Yes
Search condition suggestions for JOIN statements
Yes
Yes
Yes
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
Auto-suggesting non-aggregated columns for GROUP BY clause
Coming soon
Yes
None
Code completion for common table expressions (CTE)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Code completion in the SQLCMD mode
Yes
Yes
None
Sorting of suggested keywords by relevance
Yes
Yes
None
Phrase completion
Yes
Yes
Yes
Automatic insertion of characters as you type
None
Yes
Yes
Column picker in the INSERT statement
Yes
None
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
Coming soon
None
None
Automation via the command-line interface
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
Search for invalid objects
Yes
Yes
None
Сommand-line support for Find Invalid Objects
Coming soon
None
None
Named regions
Yes
Yes
None
Script execution against multiple databases
Yes
None
None
Search in the SSMS results grid
Yes
None
Yes
Generate Script As from the SSMS results grid
Yes
Yes
Yes
Grid aggregates
Yes
None
None
History of executed SQL statements
Yes
None
Yes
Visualization of data from the SSMS results grid
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
Jump between COLUMNS and VALUES in INSERT statements
Yes
None
None
Jump between BEGIN TRAN/COMMIT and BEGIN TRANSACTION/COMMIT TRANSACTION
Yes
None
None
Jump between BEGIN TRY/END TRY and BEGIN CATCH/END CATCH
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

Code Refactoring

dbForge SQL Complete
Redgate SQL Prompt
ApexSQL Complete
Renaming of objects, variables, and aliases
Yes
Yes
None
T-SQL code analysis
Coming soon
Yes
None
T-SQL Debugger
Yes
None
None
Enclosure of selected identifiers in square brackets
Yes
Yes
None

Price comparison

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.

More feature-by-feature comparisons