Azure Data Studio was Microsoft’s modern, cross-platform database tool designed as a lighter alternative to SQL Server Management Studio. However, Microsoft has announced plans to retire Azure Data Studio in 2026, redirecting users to other solutions.
With Azure Data Studio’s retirement on the horizon, now is an excellent time to explore alternatives that are free, open source, and will continue to be supported in the future.
1. Beekeeper Studio Community Edition
Available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux - download here
Beekeeper Studio’s strong focus on usability and design makes it an excellent alternative to Azure Data Studio, especially for users who appreciate Azure Data Studio’s clean, modern interface.
Now that Microsoft is retiring Azure Data Studio, I’m glad I found Beekeeper Studio as a more versatile replacement. - Sarah
Beekeeper Studio supports multiple databases including SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and more. What sets Beekeeper Studio apart is its clean, intuitive interface combined with powerful features like auto-complete, query formatting, native-tabs, and a privacy-first policy with no telemetry or tracking.
Unlike Azure Data Studio which focused primarily on SQL Server and Azure databases, Beekeeper Studio provides consistent support for a wider array of database systems while maintaining active development. As Azure Data Studio approaches retirement, Beekeeper Studio represents a future-proof alternative.
Beekeeper Studio also has a commercial ‘ultimate’ edition with more features like full import/export, backup & restore, and support for more databases like Oracle and Cassandra. Every purchase helps our small indie team follow our mission to provide great quality open source software to the world.
Beekeeper Studio Links
- Compare Beekeeper Studio and Azure Data Studio
- Download the free community edition
- Download the ultimate edition
- Source code on Github
2. DBeaver Community Edition
Available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux
DBeaver Community Edition is a powerful, free, open source universal database tool that provides strong support for SQL Server and other database systems. Like Azure Data Studio, DBeaver is cross-platform, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
DBeaver offers a comprehensive set of features including SQL editing with syntax highlighting and autocompletion, data viewing and editing, ERD diagrams, and database structure comparison. While its interface isn’t as modern as Azure Data Studio, it compensates with broader database support and more extensive database management capabilities.
DBeaver Links
3. SQL Workbench/J
Available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux
SQL Workbench/J is a free, DBMS-independent, cross-platform SQL query tool written in Java. While it lacks the modern interface of Azure Data Studio, it’s remarkably lightweight and fast, even when working with large datasets.
SQL Workbench/J supports all major databases including SQL Server through JDBC drivers. It offers features like SQL execution, data export/import, schema comparison, and a bookmark system for frequently used queries. For users who prioritize performance over visual aesthetics, SQL Workbench/J is a compelling alternative.
SQL Workbench/J Links
4. SQuirreL SQL Client
Available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux
SQuirreL SQL is an open-source Java-based SQL client that provides a universal interface to connect to databases via JDBC, including SQL Server. While its interface is dated compared to Azure Data Studio, it offers reliable functionality across a wide range of database systems.
SQuirreL SQL includes features like SQL editing, database object browsing, data manipulation, and an extensive plugin system that allows for customization and extension. It’s a particularly good option for users who need to work with multiple different database systems.
SQuirreL SQL Links
5. HeidiSQL
Windows Only
While HeidiSQL began as a MySQL/MariaDB client, it now offers solid support for Microsoft SQL Server as well. For Windows users specifically, HeidiSQL provides a lightweight, fast alternative to Azure Data Studio.
HeidiSQL offers a clean interface for browsing and editing data, running queries, importing and exporting data, and managing user permissions. Though it lacks the cross-platform capabilities of Azure Data Studio, its performance and simplicity make it a favorite among Windows users who need an efficient SQL Server management tool.
HeidiSQL Links
Choosing Your Azure Data Studio Replacement
With Microsoft’s plan to retire Azure Data Studio in 2026, it’s important to select an alternative that will continue to be actively developed and supported. Beekeeper Studio stands out as an excellent choice with its modern interface similar to Azure Data Studio, combined with active development and broad database support.
Each alternative offers unique strengths - whether it’s Beekeeper Studio’s modern UX, DBeaver’s comprehensive features, SQL Workbench/J’s performance, SQuirreL SQL’s extensibility, or HeidiSQL’s Windows-optimized experience.
The open source ecosystem provides plenty of options for those affected by Azure Data Studio’s upcoming retirement, ensuring you can find a sustainable solution for your database management needs.
Beekeeper Studio Is A Free & Open Source Database GUI
Best SQL query & editor tool I have ever used. It provides everything I need to manage my database. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mit
Beekeeper Studio is fast, intuitive, and easy to use. Beekeeper supports loads of databases, and works great on Windows, Mac and Linux.
