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Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio vs Navicat: What are the differences?
Comparison between Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and Navicat
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and Navicat are both popular database management tools used by professionals for managing and manipulating databases. While they serve similar purposes, there are several key differences between the two.
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User Interface:
- SSMS has a more traditional and professional-looking interface, with a focus on functionality rather than aesthetics. The interface is primarily text-based, with various commands and options available through menus and toolbars.
- Navicat, on the other hand, has a more modern and visually appealing interface, with a user-friendly design and intuitive layout. The interface is primarily graphical, with drag-and-drop capabilities and a visually rich experience.
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Supported Databases:
- SSMS is specifically designed for managing Microsoft SQL Server databases. It provides extensive features and capabilities for working with SQL Server, including advanced querying, scripting, and administration tools.
- Navicat, on the other hand, is a multi-platform database management tool that supports a wide range of databases, including SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and more. It allows users to work with multiple databases from different vendors within a single interface.
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Cross-platform Availability:
- SSMS is a Windows-only application and can only be used on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is tightly integrated with the Windows platform, leveraging its native capabilities and features.
- Navicat, on the other hand, is a cross-platform tool that is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. This enables users to work with their preferred OS and seamlessly switch between platforms without any compatibility issues.
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Ease of Use:
- SSMS is known for its extensive feature set and robust functionality, but it can be overwhelming for beginners or non-technical users. It requires a certain level of technical expertise to fully utilize its capabilities.
- Navicat, on the other hand, has a more user-friendly interface and provides a simpler learning curve. It offers a range of features and tools that are accessible to both technical and non-technical users, making it easier for beginners to work with databases.
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Customization and Extensibility:
- SSMS provides limited customization options. While it allows users to customize certain aspects of the interface, such as font sizes and color schemes, it lacks extensive customization capabilities.
- Navicat, on the other hand, offers a high level of customization and extensibility. Users can customize the interface, create custom tools and scripts, and even develop plugins to extend its functionality.
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Pricing:
- SSMS is free to download and use for managing Microsoft SQL Server databases. It is included as part of the SQL Server installation package.
- Navicat is a commercial product and comes with a price tag. It offers different licensing options, including yearly subscriptions and perpetual licenses, with varying features and support levels.
In summary, Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a Windows-only tool specifically designed for managing Microsoft SQL Server databases, while Navicat is a cross-platform database management tool that supports multiple databases. SSMS has a more traditional interface and focuses on functionality, while Navicat has a more modern and visually appealing interface. SSMS is free, while Navicat is a commercial product.
I am looking to build an azure database that connects to my power bi application. Initially, I attempted to create an Azure SQL database, then realized I needed to have SQL Server Management Service in order to manage and connect between Azure SQL <=> Power BI, but since I am on a Mac, I had to use the complex installation as a workaround.
If MySQL Workbench can solve this (as the product is available on Mac), I am more than happy to proceed with this approach if it can achieve the same goal of connecting an azure database with my Power BI application
What I am trying to achieve is fairly simple: have an online cloud database that connects to my Power BI application
I am open to any other solutions as well
Thank you
As others have noted, MySQL Workbench cannot be used instead of Microsoft SQL Manager to manage Azure SQL (MS-SQL Server, I hate that Microsoft uses generic category names for their products).
If you're considering switching to MySQL (Possibly using Azure MySQL managed database), then please not that unlike MS-SQL Server, you do not need the MySQL Workbench to connect your application to MysQL: just use the correct driver for your stack, and you're all set (if your stack is using the .Net platform, use MySQL Connector/NET from: https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/net/ ).
If you do want to use a graphical interface to maintain your MySQL database, then MySQL Workbench is a great choice, but you are not limited to it - as others have mentioned, there is a plethora of competing graphical database management tools that would work just as well with MySQL - one of the advantages of choosing MySQL for your stack is the huge eco-system that is built around it.
Microsoft provides an application known as Azure Data Studio that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux machines. It provides the ability to manage an Azure SQL database, as well as connecting to standard SQL Server databases. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/azure-data-studio/what-is?view=sql-server-ver15
As far as I know, MySQL Workbench doesn't handle Microsoft connections, including Azure, you should try Microsoft solutions such as MS VS Code.
Hello Could you give us a better idea of what Data Base Management System (DBMS) you are using at Azure? MySQL Workbench and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) are tools developed to exclusively manage MySQL and SQL Server, respectively. If you need to manage multiple DBMS's from a single tool, I sugget you try DBeaver. There are also another alternatives: HeidiSQL, phpMyAdmin, etc. Regarding the DBMS itself, I suggest you stick with SQL Server. In my opinion it's more stable and has more features than MySQL - especially in the Standard and Enterprise editions. Regards, Lawrence
Hi Aashwiin, Looking at your stack (https://stackshare.io/aashwiin82347/my-stack), it seems you are using Azure SQL Databases. I'll infer this is Microsoft SQL Server. Therefore, it certainly makes sense you stick with some of the official Microsoft Tooling to connect to it, query and administer it. You'd only be looking at MySQL Query Workbench, if you were running and connecting to a MySQL Database. - That said, could Azure MySQL (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/mysql/overview) be an option for you a this point? MySQL offers great performance. I have been running it at various companies (under AWS/RDS and AWS/Aurora) and have no reason to switch over to anything else. - Decision making-wise, how much do your want your local sql/mysql client to influence/weigh in your architecture/technology decisions, though? This can be a slippery slope. - Alternatively, other clients exist, such as "Table Plus" and allow you to connect, on Mac, to a variety of database servers, including SQL Server. It might be worth giving it a try.
We were looking a tool that would allow us to do MySQL and PostgreSQL development/administration from a single tool. We decided on Navicat Premium because it can connect to MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQLite databases - and simultaneously. It's also compatible with Amazon RDS and Microsoft Azure, which we also use.
Moreover, we previously experienced the occasional freezing and crashing in MySQL Workbench. It also suffered from a poor design, with certain features being a bit difficult to find. Meanwhile, phpMyAdmin lacked schema visualization tools and seemed better suited to lightweight day to day transactions than some of the big jobs that we needed to do.
Pros of Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
Pros of Navicat
- Fast8
