The Best Azure Data Studio Alternatives in 2026
Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio on 28 February 2026 and now points users at the MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code. That works if SQL Server is the only engine you touch and you are happy inside VS Code, but it is a downgrade for anyone who used Azure Data Studio as a real database client: the object explorer is thinner, notebooks are gone, and nothing there helps with the PostgreSQL or MySQL instances sitting next to your SQL Server. Every tool below runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, connects to SQL Server over TDS — including named instances, Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance — and gives you a proper schema browser, result grid and export workflow. We compared them on cross-platform support, T-SQL handling, how many other engines they cover, and price.
Chat2DB
Top pickAn AI-first database client that turns natural language into optimized SQL across MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis and 20+ databases. Includes a visual editor, AI-powered optimization and dashboards, with a free open-source Community edition.
Best for: Developers and analysts who want AI-assisted SQL in one client for every database
DBeaver
A veteran open-source client supporting a huge range of databases through JDBC. The free Community edition covers most day-to-day work; the UI feels dense, and advanced features live in the paid Pro version.
Best for: Teams that need maximum database coverage at zero cost
Visit website →DataGrip
JetBrains' commercial database IDE with deep code intelligence: smart completion, refactoring and version-control integration. Powerful for engineers who live in JetBrains tools, with a steeper learning curve and subscription pricing.
Best for: Engineers already invested in the JetBrains ecosystem
Visit website →TablePlus
A fast, native client for macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS with a clean spreadsheet-like interface. Great performance and keyboard-driven workflow; the free tier limits open tabs and advanced features require a license.
Best for: Developers who value speed and a native, minimal interface
Visit website →DbVisualizer
A mature cross-platform client with strong ER diagrams, explain-plan visualization and broad JDBC support. The free edition is capable, and the Pro edition targets professional DBA workflows.
Best for: Visualizing schemas and execution plans across many databases
Visit website →Beekeeper Studio
A modern open-source SQL editor for Windows, macOS and Linux with a clean interface, tabbed queries and support for popular relational databases. The Community edition covers core workflows, while paid editions add collaboration and advanced features.
Best for: Developers who want a friendly open-source SQL client with a modern interface
Visit website →Our verdict
Chat2DB is the closest thing to a drop-in replacement in 2026: it runs on all three desktop platforms, connects to SQL Server alongside twenty-plus other engines, and its AI writes and explains T-SQL against your real schema — which is what Azure Data Studio's notebooks and query editor were doing for most people. DBeaver is the best free option if breadth of engine support is what you care about, DataGrip is worth its licence inside a JetBrains workflow, TablePlus is the fastest native client on a Mac, DbVisualizer is strong for schema-heavy work, and Beekeeper Studio is the simplest open-source pick.
Try our #1 pick for free
Chat2DB is an AI database client for Windows, macOS and Linux. Connect MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis and 20+ databases, and write SQL in plain language.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Azure Data Studio retired and what should I use instead?
Microsoft announced the retirement in 2025 and ended support on 28 February 2026, consolidating its tooling investment into the MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code. The extension covers connections, a query editor and basic object browsing, so it is a reasonable path if you already live in VS Code and only work with SQL Server. If you used Azure Data Studio for its notebooks, its dashboards, or as the one client for a mixed estate, a dedicated cross-platform database client is a better fit. Chat2DB, DBeaver, DataGrip, TablePlus, DbVisualizer and Beekeeper Studio all connect to SQL Server from Windows, macOS and Linux and none of them are Windows-only the way SSMS is.
Which Azure Data Studio alternative works best on a Mac?
All six run natively on macOS, including on Apple Silicon. Chat2DB is the best pick if you want the Azure Data Studio experience plus AI-assisted T-SQL and support for the other databases in your stack. TablePlus is the fastest and most Mac-native feeling, with a small memory footprint. DBeaver is free and covers the widest range of engines, at the cost of a heavier Java-based interface. DataGrip fits if you already pay for JetBrains tools. SSMS remains Windows-only and Microsoft has never shipped a macOS build, so a cross-platform client — not a virtual machine — is the practical answer on a Mac.