What is best tool to compare two SQL Server databases (schema and data)?

Question

I would like to compare two SQL Server databases including schema (table structure) and data in tables too. What is best tool to do this?

Answer 1

I am using Red-Gate's software: http://www.red-gate.com

Answer 2

I use schema and data comparison functionality build into Vistual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals. Works like a charm. Red-Gate's tool is my second option, when you can't afford VS Team Edition license.

Answer 3

We are using an inhouse developed solution that is basicly a procedure with arguments of what you want included in the comparision (SP's, Full SP code, table structure, defaults, indices, triggers.. etc)

Depending on your needs and budget, it might be a good way to go for you as well.

It is quite easily developed as well, then we just redirect output of procedure to textfiles and do text comparisions between the files.

One good thing about it is that its possible to save the output in source control.

/B

Answer 4

I've used SQL Delta before (http://www.sqldelta.com/), it's really good. Not free however, not sure how prices compare to Red-Gates

Answer 5

I've used Red Gate's tools and they are superb. However, if you can't spend any money you could try Open DBDiff to compare schemas.

Answer 6

dbghost is the best i have used to date. one of the best features i have seen is that it will generate SQL code to go between versions of a database based on the SQL you keep in source control, as well as a database. simple and easy to use.

Answer 7

I'm partial to AdeptSQL. It's clean and intuitive and it DOESNT have the one feature that scares the hell out of me on alot of similar programs. One giant button that it you push it will automatically synchronize EVERYTHING without so much as a by-your-leave. if you want to synch the changes you have to do it yourself and I like that.

Answer 8

I like Open DBDiff. It's not the most complete tool, but it works great and it's free. And it's very easy to use.

Answer 9

Database Workbench can made it too

http://www.upscene.com/products.dbw.index.php

Cross database development

Use the Schema Compare and Migration Tools to compare testing and deployed databases, migrate existing databases to different database systems.

you can also made it with database Comparer

http://www.clevercomponents.com/products/dbcomparer/dbcomparer.asp

I use it for Firebird and it works well.

Answer 10

I would definitely go with AdeptSQL if you're using MSSQL. It's the least good looking but the most talented db compare tool amongst the ones I've tried. It can compare both the structure and the data. It tells you which tables exist on one db but does not exist on the other, compares the structure and data of the common ones and it can produce the script to synchronize the two. It's not free but has a 30 day trial (as far as I can remember)

Answer 11

Try dbForge Data Compare for SQL Server. It can compare and sync any databases, even very large ones. Quick, easy, always delivers a correct result. Try it on your database and comment upon the product.

We can recommend you a reliable SQL comparison tool that offer 3 time’s faster comparison and synchronization of table data in your SQL Server databases. It's dbForge Data Compare for SQL Server and dbForge Schema Compare for SQL Server

Main advantages:

• Speedier comparison and synchronization of large databases
• Support of native SQL Server backups
• Custom mapping of tables, columns, and schemas
• Multiple options to tune your comparison and synchronization
• Generating comparison and synchronization reports

Plus free 30-day trial and risk-free purchase with 30-day money back guarantee.

Answer 12

Zidsoft CompareData is free for comparing table/view data. You would need to buy a license to compare metadata after evaluation period expires, but the same application compares both data and metadata. Very fast.