No matter how you slice it, creating manual code and SQL queries from scratch is incredibly time-consuming. It is often more efficient to use a SQL query builder to develop SQL queries instead. Many tools offer features like drag-and-drop GUI’s and dashboards to help speed up development.
Here is our list of the eight Best SQL Query Builders:
- SentryOne SQL Sentry EDITOR’S CHOICE A database performance analyzer that spots inefficient queries to help your scripts run faster. Runs on Windows. Start a 14-day free trial.
- Idera Rapid SQL (FREE TRIAL) A visual SQL builder alongside a text statement editor. The editor includes syntax color coding and error highlighting. Register for a 14-day free trial.
- Redgate SQL Prompt An SQL editor with contextual predictive text that can suggest the next keyword that you need for your statement.
- dbForge Query Builder A visual SQL builder that includes drag-and-drop and list picking elements to help you create statements.
- FlySpeed SQL Query An SQL editor that has drag-and-drop visual features as well as spell-checking and suggestions for written SQL statements.
- SQL Query Tuner (SQL Diagnostic Manager) An add-on to SQL Diagnostics Manager, this tool analyzes queries and spots mistakes.
- RazorSQL A visual SQL query builder that includes syntax color coding and bracket matching to help you avoid common mistakes.
- Data Xtractor A visual SQL builder aimed at those who have no SQL experience. Available in free and paid versions.
See also: Database Diagram Tools
The best SQL Query builders
Our methodology for selecting an SQL query builder tool
We reviewed the SQL query editor market and analyzed tools based on the following criteria:
- Automated indentation for nesting
- Color-coding for different keyword categories
- Predictive text for keywords and functions
- Syntax error correction
- A query test function
- Access to the relevant database instance
- A free trial for no-cost assessment
- A good price for the standard of service offered
1. SentryOne SQL Sentry (FREE TRIAL)
SentryOne SQL Sentry is a database performance tool that helps to fix slow SQL queries. The product can diagnose and optimize poorly performing SQL queries. With the Top SQL view, you can view execution plan diagrams and query history to find queries that need to be fixed.
Key Features
- Database performance monitoring
- SQL tuning facilities
- Resource monitoring
- Alerting for deadlocks
- Identification of slow queries
Why do we recommend it?
SolarWinds SQL Sentry is a very comprehensive SQL query analyzer that will examine the interactions between your queries and your database objects and recommends any changes that either or both need to improve performance. This tool is specifically marketed to work with all of the different implementations of SQL Server.
Automated alerts notify you when a query matches particular conditions or parameters. For example, if a query is running slowly you will be sent an alert. There are over 100 alert conditions available out-of-the-box. You can combine alerts with automated responses so after generating an alert the program can automatically execute a command to fix the problem.
SentryOne SQL Sentry can also resolve SQL server deadlocks. The deadlock tab shows you the processes involved in the deadlock so you can find the root cause. To make things easier there are deadlock diagrams so you can view the problem in a format that’s easy to understand.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is a performance monitoring system for SQL Server as well as a query analyzer. It installs on Windows but it will monitor SQL Server implementations that operate on AWS, Azure, and Linux as well as Windows and Windows Server.
Pros:
- Built-in performance tools aids DBAs in quickly diagnosing performance issues
- Over 100 pre-configured alert templates make it easy to get insights straightaway
- Hosts a range of visualization features that can all be customized
Cons:
- Trial could be longer
SolarWinds SQL Sentry installs on Windows. The system can be adapted by add-ons, which make it compatible with SQL Server on Azure, Hyper-V, VMWare, and AWS. The price for the software package starts at $1,450 (£1,070). You can try SQL Sentry on a two-week free trial.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
SQL Sentry is our top pick for an SQL query builder and editor because it offers regular performance monitoring, plus query analysis and database optimization features. You can use the tool to identify queries that use the most resources and run slowly and then put them through the analyzer4 to rebuild them to be more efficient. It might be that alterations to database objects, such as changes to indexing can fix problems. SQL Sentry can help you with that, too.
Download: Start 14-day FREE Trial
Official Site: https://www.solarwinds.com/sql-sentry/registration
OS: Windows
2. Idera Rapid SQL (FREE TRIAL)
Idera Rapid SQL is a SQL code creation tool that you can use to build complex SQL statements with a visual query builder. When you are typing, you can benefit from contextual recommendations that suggest elements such as tables, functions, and columns you could use.
Key Features
- Database discovery
- ERD generator
- Query optimizer
Why do we recommend it?
Rapid SQL is the second Idera product on this list. It is a development environment for SQL in all of the major RDBMSs, including SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle. This tool gives you the option of generating an SQL statement by selecting columns from a database diagram or you can write a query with the assistance of a syntax library. Ryun and test queries within the environment or open existing SQL files and test them for improvement opportunities.
Idera Rapid SQL is compatible with SQL Server, Oracle, Db2, and SAP Sybase. The platform is excellent for newer users because it offers source code templates so that you don’t need to memorize SQL syntax. Navigation is one of the strongest aspects of Idera Rapid SQL. Auto Formatting and syntax coloring make it easy to find your way around code and manage SQL files of all sizes.
SQL IDE also provides a development environment. The user can create code and view real-time feedback on issues and fixes to improve their code. Similarly, there is a SQL Debugger that locates coding errors so that you can debug them.
Who is it recommended for?
An experienced developer can find a use for this package, particularly the reference screens to see the database table structure. New and infrequent coders will be able to use the visual SQL query assembly system.
Pros:
- Simple, but powerful interface – great for new users
- Auto formatting and syntax color makes helps DBAs stay organized when at scale
- Supports collaboration with real-time feedback and team features
Cons:
- Trial could be longer
- Pricing is not transparent, must contact the sales team
If you’re looking for a SQL builder that’s easy to use and navigate then Idera Rapid SQL is a good choice. However, if you want to view the price for Idera Rapid SQL you will have to contact the sales team directly. You can download the 14-day free trial.
3. Redgate SQL Prompt
Redgate SQL Prompt is a SQL creation tool that can provide code suggestions as you type. The software makes contextual recommendations based on code analysis rules and there is a code snippet library for the user to refer to. There are also extensive formatting options so you can choose precisely what scripts you want formatted or block certain blocks from being formatted.
Key Features
- Editor to create queries
- Query analysis
- Autocomplete query assembly
- Query optimization
Why do we recommend it?
Whereas the SolarWinds system looks at the performance of existing queries that are running on your databases, Redgate SQL Prompt is an SQL query development tool. The system provides an editor in which you develop queries, assisted by autocomplete and a clause library and syntax checker. It can also recommend improvements to the query structure within the editor.
It is also very easy to analyze your code with Redgate SQL Prompt. You can hover over a piece of code to view code issues and then click on the lightbulb icon for more information. There are over 90 rules available out-of-the-box that can be managed through the options menu.
SQL Prompt Pro can integrate with SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio so you can create accurate SQL queries more efficiently. There are a few features that are unique to the SSMS version of SQL Prompt Pro. You can save, preview, and restore tabs from your last session.
Who is it recommended for?
The Redgate tool is aimed at developers or the Jack-of-all-trades database administrator of a small business.
Pros:
- Intelligent code recommendations help streamline the building process
- Robust code snippet library for quick reference
- Over 90 pre-configured rule set options for out-of-box use
- Appropriately priced, great for small and growing businesses
Cons:
- Could use more filtering options when comparing multiple databases
SQL Prompt Professional starts at $405 (£301.46) for one license. SQL Prompt is also available as part of SQL Toolbelt Essentials which includes nine other SQL Server products for $2,085 (£1,551.97) and SQL Toolbelt which includes 14 extra tools for $3,665 (£2,728). You can download the 28-day free trial.
4. dbForge Query Builder
dbForge Query Builder is a query builder designed to help create complex SQL queries. You can draw queries through the visual query diagram and add sub-queries to build on the foundations of the main query. There is also a drag-and-drop feature so you can add tables easily. However, you can also use code completion to build high-quality code with this database designer.
Key Features
- Visual database planner
- ERD-based development
- Generates queries
Why do we recommend it?
A nice feature of the dbForge Query Builder is the fact that it pulls in the database structure and shows it as a schema within the developer. When you are assembling a SELECT statement, you just check the columns that you want to get out, and then the system guides you through the construction of the WHERE clause.
To assist with editing code, dbForge Query Builder has an automatic SQL syntax check. For larger queries, you can use the Document Outline window to navigate faster. There is also the option to use more general SQL editing features like bookmarking, text searching, and coloring.
The window layout can be customized, with highlighting and toolbar customization. You can even choose what UI skin you want to use. Once you’ve finished coding you can then export data in 10 different formats including HTML, CSV, XML, PDF, MS Excel, MS Access, DBF, ODBC, and Text.
Who is it recommended for?
As SQL is a little different in each DBMS, there are adaptations of dbForge Query Builder for different SQL systems. Options include SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL. This is a good tool for infrequent query creators but expert coders will find that this tool’s visual assistance just slows them down.
Pros:
- Visual query diagram helps draw and test queries
- Utilizes drag and drop for adding tables easily
- Entire interface can be customized
- Allows for exporting in multiple formats including HTML, PDF, CSV, and ODBC
Cons:
- Complicated, could be overwhelming for junior admins
- Cluttered user interface
- Fairly steep learning curve
dbForge Query Builder is aimed at those who want to make the coding experience as painless as possible. The price is also very competitive. The Standard edition of dbForge Query Builder starts at $149.95 (£111.62) for one license. There is also a 30-day free trial.
5. FlySpeed SQL Query
FlySpeed SQL Query is a Windows-based relational database query builder that you can use to create SQL queries through drag-and-drop and a visual query builder. Build complex queries and edit subqueries in visual and SQL text modes. Formatting is customizable so you can decide how code is presented.
Key Features
- Detects and visualizes database objects
- Drag-and-drop query creator
- Query optimization
Why do we recommend it?
FlySpeed SQL Query is a helpful SQL query creation environment that will run trial queries with the tool and show you the output in a table. This system is very similar to the format of dbForge Query Builder. It reads in the database structure and lets you check the columns that you want to extract.
To improve the coding experience the SQL Text Editor offers code completion to speed up code building. There is also a syntax highlighting to aid navigation. Your query execution history is also regularly saved so you can find where you left off after at the end of a session.
The software supports SQL syntax for Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, InterBase, Firebird, MS Access, MS Excel, SQLite, Advantage DB, and more. It is also multi-threaded with each query running in a different thread.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is able to work with SQL for SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, plus other SQL versions. As with dbForge Query Builder, this tool is recommended for those who have little experience in creating SQL queries. More experienced developers would be hampered by the structure of the tool.
Pros:
- Simple drag-and-drop builder with visual query editor
- Uses syntax highlighting and code completion to speed up the build process
- Supports multi-threading for larger workloads
Cons:
- Cluttered interface
- Steeper learning curve than similar products
The free version allows you to create SQL queries and browse result data but you need the full version to save and export the data. The FlySpeed SQL Query Desktop version costs $49 (£36.47) and the FlySpeed SQL Query Portable version costs $69 (£51.36). There is also a 30-day free trial.
6. SQL Query Tuner (SQL Diagnostic Manager)
SQL Query Tuner is an add-on for SQL Diagnostic Manager that can provide tuning recommendations. To help the user improve performance, SQL Query Tuner has color-coded index analysis for used, unused, and missing indexes. There is also a wait time analysis feature to detect poorly performing SQL queries.
Key Features
- Specialist add-on
- Query optimization
- Query visualization
Why do we recommend it?
SQL Query Tuner is available for Idera SQL Diagnostic Manager for SQL Server. There is a Diagnostic Manager for MySQL but that doesn’t have the SQL Query Tuner add-on. The combination of the Diagnostic Manager with the extra SQL Query Tuner module makes this a strong competitor to the SolarWinds SQL Sentry because it provides performance analysis for running databases as well as SQL query analysis and creation guidance.
For those who require a more visual experience, there are SQL query tuning diagrams. Query diagrams allow you to view Cartesian joins and many-to-many relationships as a visual display. Viewing queries in this format makes it much easier to understand the effect of SQL statements.
The software has a range of diagnostic capabilities you can use to monitor database performance. For instance, you can monitor real-time availability and performance of server instances. Alerts identify poorly performing queries. There are over 100 alerts available out-of-the-box to get started quickly.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is a good tool for the DBA of a small business that doesn’t have the resources to call on an experienced developer to fix query issues that the database monitor has revealed. Developers would be better off with Idera Rapid SQL, which is explained further down on this list.
Pros:
- Color-coded index analysis helps keep DBAs organized when working in indexes
- Visualizations do a good job displaying many-to-many relationships across queries
- Over 100 premade alerts that are designed to be used without editing
Cons:
- Trial could be longer
- Higher price point makes this tool more geared towards medium to large-sized companies
- Interface could use some work, especially with their menus system
SQL Query Tuner for SQL Diagnostic Manager is great for producing SQL code faster. The price for the SQL Diagnostic Manager is $997.60 (£742.56). There is also multi-license discount pricing for larger enterprises. There is a 14-day free trial.
7. RazorSQL
RazorSQL has a SQL Query Builder Tool that allows the user to visually build queries. You can choose the type of SQL statement you want to generate by selecting the columns and operations to be included. The tool is easy to navigate with four tabs to make statement changes; select, insert, update, and delete. For example, by pressing the insert tab users can pick what columns they would like to add to the statement.
Key Features
- Database object mapper
- Query generator
- SQL optimization
Why do we recommend it?
Richardson Software has gone to great lengths to make Razor SQL suitable for use with just about every relational database management system on the planet. It also goes the extra mile to create versions that will run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The result is there is an impressive and busy tool. You can write and run SQL and DDL within the environment, see the results and get timings on execution, and also explore tables and other structures.
The SQL Editor is another tool that can be used to simplify code creation. There is syntax highlighting to make code easier to navigate and an autocomplete function to speed up code production.
To further support navigation there is an auto-lookup feature so that when the user types a query a list of columns with tables will come up for the user to click on. The lookup function is compatible with SQL, Transact-SQL, SQL PL, PL/SQLm HP, Java, JavaScript, HTML, XML, CSS, and more.
Who is it recommended for?
Developers will love this utility that lets you explore and create or get guidance. So, whether you are a learner or a seasoned developer, you can get useful assistance from RazorSQL.
Pros:
- Uses autocomplete to improve the build process
- Auto lookup work in a number of different platforms such as SQL, Java, and HTML
- Available cross-platform for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS
- Volume-based licensing discounts
Cons:
- Cluttered interface
- Steeper learning curve than similar products
RazorSQL is available for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Solaris. The price of the software depends on the number of users you want to support. For one user the price is $99.95 (£79.95) per user. For 2-9 users, the cost drops to $96.95 (£76.95) or $94.95 (£74.95) for 10-19 users. For 20 users or more, the price drops down to $92.95 (£72.95) per user. You can download the 30-day free trial.
8. Data Xtractor
Data Xtractor is a SQL query tool that enables users to produce queries with no knowledge of SQL. Data Xtractor comes with a visual SQL query builder called Query Xtractor. Query Xtractor can produce read-only and supports databases including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, Amazon Redshift, SQLite, and Azure. Once you’ve executed the query you can review the results in a spreadsheet format.
Key Features
- Database object discovery
- Database optimization
- Query generator
Why do we recommend it?
Data Xtractor is a great suite of database and query creation and analysis tools that is well worth buying. However, you don’t need to buy it because each module can be downloaded individually for free. The query builder in the package is called Query Xtractor and it provides some really useful services, such as a database explorer and a visual query builder. The WHERE clause assembler in this system is much better than that offered in dbForge or FlySpeed.
The SQL Query Generator automatically generates SQL queries for individual vendors. You also don’t need to install anything to generate code for another platform making it more efficient to create SQL queries.
Data Xtractor is free for SQLite, Microsoft Access, Firebird, and Microsoft SQL Server CE databases. There are also three paid versions of the program: Open-Source Databases, Commercial Databases. All Supported Databases. For Open-Source Databases, the tool costs $24 (£18.48) per month and is compatible with MySQL, MariaDB, Amazon Aurora, PostgreSQL, and Amazon Redshift databases.
Who is it recommended for?
Query Xtractor is a good tool for people who are infrequent creators of SQL queries or are new to the job. Experienced developers will enjoy the database explorers and ERD generators in the other modules of the Data Xtractor bundle. All of the modules will work with a long list of RDBMSs, including SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, SAP, and Sybase.
Pros:
- Better user interface than most of its competitors
- Visual editor supports multiple formats including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle
- Pricing is straightforward and makes the tool accessible to most teams
Cons:
- Lacks some advanced filtering options
- Database comparison tools could use improvement
The Commercial Databases version costs $29 (£22.33) per month with support for Microsoft SQL Server / Azure, Oracle, IBM Db2, Sybase / SAP SQL, and Sybase SAP ASE. The All Supported Databases package costs $39 per month and supports all of the aforementioned databases. You can also download Query Xtractor for free.
2022 Update: All versions of Data Xtractor and related products are now free to use.
Choosing an SQL Query Builder
Ideally, you want to use a tool that’s easy to deploy so you spend less time adjusting to the software and more time improving the performance of your code.
Tools such as RedGate SQL Prompt, dbForge Query Builder, and SQL Diagnostic Manager all help to manage your code. While some can be used to build queries from scratch others simply highlight poorly performing queries. Finding a tool that fits most closely with your use case will deliver the best results.
SQL Query Builders FAQs
What is a unique identifier in SQL?
A unique identifier is a numeric field in a database table. It is populated by a sequence that ensures that each record has a unique value in that field. Foreign keys in other tables should reference the unique identifier column in order to get accurate joins to records in the target table.
Is SQL a programming language?
In its original form, SQL is not a programming language, as is explained by its full name, it is a query language. There are many adaptations of SQL, however, and some of these qualify for the definition of a traditional “procedural” programming language, such as PL-SQL.
How do you create a database schema?
There are four types of schemas in databases. So, the task of creating a schema is different, depending on which type of schema you have been asked to create. The diagram that shows the plan of all of the objects that will go into a database is called a schema. You create that with a drawing tool – this is the Logical Schema. The space that contains all of those objects is also called a schema – this is an industry term that describes the workspace that holds a database. Different DBMSs offer different methods to create that type of schema.
The mapping between the database and the physical storage is called the Physical Schema and that is usually generated by the DBMS when it sets up a schema for holding tables.
The mapping between a front-end that gives access to the database to users and how that relies on the logical objects in the database is called the View Schema. That is usually created by a systems analyst as part of the spec to pass to a programmer.
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