Redgate SQL Compare compares and syncs SQL Server database schemas, with a single-user one-year subscription at about $340 per user per year. dbForge Schema Compare is the closest commercial replacement, with Standard at $289.95 and Professional at $359.95, plus a 30-day trial. Liquibase, Bytebase, and SQL Server Data Tools cost $0 to start, which suits teams that want schema compare without a per-seat licence.
We compared 7 options for red gate sql compare alternatives. Each profile below lists the price, free plan, pros and cons as published by the company.
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Red gate sql compare alternatives: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | dbForge Schema Compare | Scheduled compare and sync | $289.95 per user/year | No | Visit |
| 2 | ApexSQL Compare | Strong SQL Server compare | quote only | No | Visit |
| 3 | SQL Delta | Lightweight SQL Server compare | quote only | No | Visit |
| 4 | Liquibase | Schema as versioned changesets | $0 per user/month | Yes | Visit |
| 5 | Bytebase | Reviewed schema sync with audit | $0 per user/month | Yes | Visit |
| 6 | DBeaver | Database work plus compare | quote only | Yes | Visit |
| 7 | SQL Server Data Tools | Free Microsoft schema compare | $0 per user/month | Yes | Visit |
The 7 best red gate sql compare alternatives, in detail
dbForge Schema Compare
Best for: Scheduled compare and sync
dbForge Schema Compare from Devart covers schema comparison and synchronisation for SQL Server, with a 30-day trial. Standard costs $289.95 and Professional costs $359.95, with both perpetual and subscription licences offered. That price is lower than Redgate SQL Compare for a single seat, and the scheduled comparison feature suits teams that want a regular drift check.
- The product also covers data compare in the Compare Bundle, which starts at $299.95, and it integrates with version control.
- The trade-off is the interface, which packs many options into one screen and can feel busy for a new user.
- For a team that wants a direct commercial replacement with scheduled runs, dbForge is the closest fit.
Pros
- Scheduled comparisons and sync
- Perpetual and subscription licences offered
Cons
- Interface feels busy for new users
- Professional tier costs $359.95
ApexSQL Compare
Best for: Strong SQL Server compare
ApexSQL Compare, now part of Quest, is a strong SQL Server comparison tool for DBAs who need detailed reports and automation. It compares and synchronises database objects, produces clear difference reports, and supports command-line use for CI work. That depth suits teams that run compare as part of a release pipeline rather than as a one-off check.
- Pricing is quote only, so a buyer should ask for a written quote for the seat count and the edition they need.
- The product is priced at the higher end of the market, and a small team may find dbForge or a free tool cheaper.
- For a DBA team that needs reporting and automation, ApexSQL is a proven choice.
Pros
- Strong reporting and automation
- Covers schema and data compare
Cons
- Quote-only pricing
- Higher cost than some rivals for a small team
SQL Delta
Best for: Lightweight SQL Server compare
SQL Delta is a lightweight SQL Server comparison tool for developers and DBAs who want a fast daily compare without a heavy suite. It compares schema and data, shows differences side by side, and generates sync scripts that can be reviewed before they run. The interface is direct, which helps a team that runs compare many times a day.
- Pricing is quote only, so a buyer should ask for a written quote and check whether the licence is per user or per machine.
- The product is less deep than Redgate or ApexSQL on CI integration and source control, so a team that needs pipeline automation should test that path
- For a small team that wants a fast, focused compare tool, SQL Delta is a good fit.
Pros
- Fast, lightweight compare for SQL Server
- Simple interface for daily use
Cons
- Quote-only pricing
- Less depth in CI and source control than larger tools
Liquibase
Best for: Schema as versioned changesets
Liquibase takes a different approach. Instead of a desktop compare, it treats schema change as versioned changesets in source control, with a CLI that can diff databases and generate a changeset. The open source core is free, and commercial tiers add features for larger teams.
- That model suits teams that already use Git and CI, and want the diff to become part of the release history.
- The trade-off is the interface.
- Liquibase is CLI-first, so a DBA who wants a visual side-by-side compare will find it slower than dbForge or Redgate.
- The learning curve is real, but the payoff is a repeatable, reviewed change process.
Pros
- Open source core, free to start
- Diff becomes a versioned changeset
Cons
- CLI-first, no desktop GUI
- Commercial tiers needed for some features
Bytebase
Best for: Reviewed schema sync with audit
Bytebase is a web-based database DevOps tool with schema compare and sync, plus review and audit before a change runs. The open source edition is free, and schema sync is available on the free plan, which makes it easy to test with a real database pair. The web GUI suits teams that want a shared review step, rather than a single DBA running a desktop tool.
- The limit is object coverage.
- Bytebase covers the core SQL Server objects, but Redgate has deeper coverage for some object types, and a team with a complex schema should test its o
- For a team that wants reviewed, audited schema changes in a web tool, Bytebase is a strong and low-cost choice.
Pros
- Web GUI plus API, with review and audit
- Schema sync on the free plan
Cons
- Less object coverage than Redgate for SQL Server
- Some features need a priced plan
DBeaver
Best for: Database work plus compare
DBeaver is a universal database tool that many developers already use for queries, browsing, and editing. Schema compare is available in the Enterprise and Ultimate editions, so a team that already uses DBeaver can add compare without learning a new tool. The Community edition is free, and the priced editions use quote-only pricing on the vendor site.
- The trade-off is focus.
- DBeaver is a general database workbench, not a dedicated compare tool, so its compare depth is lighter than Redgate or dbForge.
- A team that needs compare as a daily, core task should choose a dedicated tool, while a team that needs compare occasionally inside a wider database t
Pros
- Universal database tool with compare in priced editions
- Free Community edition
Cons
- Schema compare sits in Enterprise or Ultimate
- Compare is not the core product
SQL Server Data Tools
Best for: Free Microsoft schema compare
SQL Server Data Tools, known as SSDT, is Microsoft free tooling for SQL Server database projects in Visual Studio. It compares schemas, generates sync scripts, and stores the schema in a sqlproj file that can live in source control. That model suits teams that already use Visual Studio and want schema compare without a licence fee.
- The trade-off is complexity.
- SSDT is powerful but complex for beginners, and the compare workflow is tied to the project model, so a team that wants a quick ad-hoc compare will fi
- For a Microsoft shop that already uses Visual Studio, SSDT is a free and capable alternative, and the cost is the time to learn the project workflow.
Pros
- Free, from Microsoft, with Visual Studio
- Schema lives in a sqlproj file
Cons
- Complex for beginners
- Compare is tied to the project model
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and feature lists for SQL Server schema compare tools that cover the same ground as Redgate SQL Compare. We checked whether each tool publishes a starting price, whether it offers a free plan or a trial, and whether it covers schema compare, data compare, CLI use, and source control. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we did not use third-party review scores as a ranking factor. Prices were read from vendor pricing pages on 2026-11-12, and quote-only tools are listed as quote only where the vendor publishes no figure.
What to check before you buy
Start with object coverage. Bring a real database pair with the object types you use, including views, functions, triggers, and permissions, and run a compare in each tool. A tool that misses an object type will leave drift that only shows up when a deployment fails. Check the sync workflow next. Ask how a sync script is generated, who reviews it, and whether it can run in CI. Check source control integration, CLI support, and whether the tool can compare a live database against a project file. Finally, confirm the licence model, including whether it is per named user, per machine, or per server, and what the renewal price will be.
Frequently asked questions
What is Redgate SQL Compare?
Redgate SQL Compare, now Redgate SQL Compare, compares and synchronises SQL Server database schemas. It reveals differences between databases and generates SQL scripts to bring them in line. A single-user one-year subscription costs about $340, with lower per-seat prices at five and ten seats.
Which Red Gate SQL Compare alternative is cheapest?
Liquibase, Bytebase, and SQL Server Data Tools cost $0 to start, with free editions that cover schema compare. dbForge Schema Compare is the cheapest commercial option in this list, at $289.95 for Standard, compared with about $340 a year for Redgate SQL Compare.
Which alternative is closest to Redgate SQL Compare?
dbForge Schema Compare is the closest commercial replacement, with a desktop GUI, scheduled comparisons, and a similar object set. ApexSQL Compare is close too, with strong reporting and automation, though its pricing is quote only.
Does dbForge Schema Compare offer a trial?
Yes, dbForge Schema Compare offers a 30-day trial. The Standard subscription costs $289.95 and Professional costs $359.95, with both perpetual and subscription licences offered. Test with a real database pair during the trial, and check the object types you use most.
Which alternative is best for CI and DevOps?
Liquibase is the best CI-led choice, because it turns a diff into a versioned changeset in source control. Bytebase is a strong second, with a web GUI, API, and a review step before a change runs. Both suit teams that want schema change to be reviewed and audited, not run from a desktop alone.
Should I use a free tool or a commercial compare tool?
Use a free tool if your schema is simple, your team is small, and you are comfortable with a CLI or a project-based workflow. Use a commercial tool if you need deep object coverage, scheduled runs, detailed reports, and support. Run a compare on your own databases in both types before you decide.
Sources
- https://www.devart.com/
- https://www.devart.com/dbforge/sql-server/schemacompare/pricing/
- https://www.apexsql.com/
- https://www.apexsql.com/pricing/
- https://www.sqldelta.com/
- https://www.sqldelta.com/pricing/
- https://www.liquibase.com/
- https://www.liquibase.com/pricing
- https://www.bytebase.com/
- https://www.bytebase.com/pricing/
- https://dbeaver.io/
- https://dbeaver.io/pricing/
- https://learn.microsoft.com/
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssdt/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.