You will choose the free tool if you have to choose between a free and a paid database tool, and both provide the same features and performance. But what if a free tool does not contain the functions necessary for work or, on the contrary, contains restrictions that reduce employees' productivity? If you have to use seven or more incompatible and barely compatible free software tools, it's much more efficient to pay for one tool.

Our customers continue using the dbForge database SQL tools after they’ve completed their trial period. This shows us that the dbForge database tools are truly useful and efficient. At the same time, free open-source database tools are constantly in demand because they can solve part of the tasks of a database specialist.

This fact prompted us to compare the best open and commercial solutions for developing and administering SQL Server. To compare their functionality and some non-obvious criteria, we looked at three popular tools:

• DBeaver is a free tool that supports a variety of databases. DBeaver is known as an open-source solution, although the closed-source enterprise version includes a commercial license. The advantage of the tool is a convenient user interface and a set of tools for routine work with the database.
• HeidiSQL is an alternative to DBeaver, the easiest-to-learn free and open-source database management and administration tool. It supports several database systems (SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite), but it provides a number of attractive features that make it popular.
• dbForge Studio for SQL Server is an integrated development environment. It covers almost all tasks for developing, managing, and administering SQL Server databases, data analysis, and reporting. This tool offers features not found in free tools - comparing and synchronizing data and schemas, creating realistic test data and documentation, and many more. In addition to SQL Server, Studios for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle are available. They are also paid solutions, but they are free for a 30-day trial period.

You may have tried one of these tools but don't know how good it is compared to others. Or you are not sure that a commercial solution will make your work easier and more productive. To help you figure it out, we've compiled a list of important criteria for database professionals. Consider how each tool meets these criteria.

Functionality

Open source tools - DBeaver and HeidiSQL - offer only the tools you need for everyday work. In doing so, they gradually increase the number of new features. dbForge Studio for SQL Server offers a broader set of tools for SQL Server and easy integration with enterprise-level systems and enterprise DevOps processes. Also, this tool has a convenient user interface for efficient teamwork. Let's consider in more detail.

Compare these criteria with your day-to-day tasks or those of your team to see if it's worth using the advanced functionality of paid solutions.

Security and stability

Let's take a closer look at the other value of database tools, which is described by such words as "stable", "secure", "reliable," and others. In the case of a paid tool, these qualities determine the reputation and profit of the seller. We cannot ignore the competition or ignore the customer. Paid tools need to be constantly updated and expanded to stay relevant. And the development of open-source tools is not required to that extent.

One of the benefits of using DBeaver and HeidiSQL is having large user communities. This can make finding problems in the source code easier and solving them. But you can't be completely safe from receiving malicious code when you upgrade. Proprietary software, created in a closed environment, requires regular updates and quick responses to various customer problems. We are convinced that this is a more secure solution for enterprises.

For businesses, the security of personal data is especially important. If you need data for testing, you can't use real data, but you have to get it from somewhere. The solution is to use dbForge Studio, a tool for generating various test data to suit your needs. Such data is not real but realistic and ensures that your databases comply with data protection laws and regulations, including the GDPR.

Troubleshooting and support

Much of what has been said earlier applies to this section as well. The supplier is always ready to help in solving various questions and problems. If you are a company representative, you can get more support opportunities and profitable long-term relationships with the supplier, for example, with the ability to use special service packages.

When using free software, you can get help from the user community. To do this, you will have to ask questions, study answers and solutions, watch videos and manuals, and so on. Professional support can only be obtained from an external consultant and will be charged separately.

And when you start using paid software, your search will be significantly reduced - you will only need to study concise official manuals and extremely specific product documentation. Thus, along with paid software, you will have quick and qualified answers to your questions.
Cost

Free and open-source tools are largely popular because they don't require you to pay for them, at least in the beginning. Both individuals and companies want to keep costs as low as possible and try to use free solutions. Of course, an initially high-quality free product can quickly gather a large community of users. And most likely, if many people use this product, it is of high quality. In the case of DBeaver and HeidiSQL, this rule works.

But remember hidden costs that will only become apparent after a while. What are these costs? They are mainly associated with corporate use, and their consequence may be decreased employee productivity growth. Below are some of them.

• Integrating open-source tools with existing systems and environments, and customizing them, can take time and effort.
• You may also need help installing and learning how to use complex products. For free products, help can be sought in the communities, but complex issues that require the involvement of paid consultants can arise.
• Maintenance costs may also be required, for which additional company funds will have to be spent.

Using paid tools solves most of these problems efficiently and effectively. Suppliers of such products undertake their support and maintenance, and if you are purchasing a multi-employee tool, vendors will help you with implementation and provide materials for quick learning.

Clearly, not everyone is willing to pay for a tool that they don't know much about. To dispel their doubts, a trial period was introduced. For example, when working with dbForge Studio for SQL Server, everyone gets a fully functional product for 30 days. This makes it possible to evaluate the functionality and performance. You can make sure that it is convenient for you or the team and understand how it affects performance. You can also evaluate whether all the added value of the tool is worth your investment.

Сonclusions

Only you can evaluate the value of each criterion depending on your work tasks. Using paid software makes sense if you need advanced functionality, vendor support, security, and stability.

We invite you to evaluate dbForge Studio for SQL Server for free. If you like the tool, you can activate it after the trial by purchasing an activation key. For enterprises, Devart has discounts when purchasing multiple solutions.