Redgate SQL Compare vs dbForge Schema Compare (2026)

Quick verdict

Short answer

Compare like with like: SQL Compare Standard against dbForge Schema Compare Standard for comparing live databases and snapshots, and SQL Compare Pro against dbForge Schema Compare Professional when you need backups, script folders and the command line. Choose Redgate SQL Compare if you already use Flyway, SQL Toolbelt or other Redgate products, or compare against Redgate SQL Backup Pro files. Choose dbForge Schema Compare if a lower published list price matters, or you need DACPAC files, SQL Server 2000 to 2005 sources or version control systems beyond Git as comparison sources. Before paying for either, check whether the free Schema Compare in SSMS 22 or VS Code covers your case.

How we know: This comparison is research-based: editions, comparison sources, supported platforms, system requirements, licensing and prices were checked against Redgate's SQL Compare product page and SQL Compare 16 documentation, and Devart's dbForge Schema Compare product, editions, ordering and requirements pages on 7 November 2026. We have not run either tool, so nothing here is a measured result.

Redgate SQL Compare compares and deploys SQL Server schemas. Redgate lists SQL Server 2008 to 2025, Azure SQL and SQL Server on Amazon RDS, and comparison sources including live databases, native and SQL Backup Pro backups, schema snapshots, folders of SQL scripts in source control and SQL Server on Linux. It generates a dependency-aware deployment script with warnings about risks such as data loss. It comes in Standard and Pro editions; SQL Compare Pro is also part of SQL Toolbelt Essentials. The current documentation is for SQL Compare 16, and the client needs Windows 7 or later (or Windows Server 2008 R2 or later) with .NET Framework 4.7.2.

dbForge Schema Compare for SQL Server is Devart's equivalent. Devart lists SQL Server 2000 to 2025, SQL Server on Linux, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric and SQL Server on Amazon RDS, with sources including live databases, native backups, snapshots, script folders, DACPAC packages and version control. It comes in Standard and Professional editions, runs standalone or as an SSMS add-in, and needs Windows 7 to 11 (or Windows Server 2008 to 2025) with .NET Framework 4.7.2. Schema comparison is also one of the features of the dbForge Studio for SQL Server IDE.

Schema, not data. Both tools compare structure (tables, columns, indexes, routines, permissions) and generate DDL. Comparing the rows of two databases is a separate product from each vendor: Redgate SQL Data Compare and dbForge Data Compare. For the wider field, including free options, see the database comparison tools guide.

Side by side

Aspect	Redgate SQL Compare	dbForge Schema Compare
Editions	Standard and Pro	Standard and Professional
SQL Server versions (vendor stated)	SQL Server 2008 to 2025	SQL Server 2000 to 2025
Cloud and other platforms	Azure SQL, SQL Server on Amazon RDS, SQL Server on Linux	Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance, Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric, SQL Server on Amazon RDS, SQL Server on Linux
Sources in both editions	Live databases and schema snapshots	Live databases and schema snapshots
Sources in the higher edition	Native and SQL Backup Pro backups, SQL script folders (Pro)	Native backups, script folders, DACPAC packages, objects in version control (Professional)
Version control	Folders of SQL scripts kept in source control (Pro)	Azure DevOps, Git, SVN, TFS, Perforce, Vault, Mercurial and Plastic SCM (Professional)
Command line	Pro edition; use in a Redgate pipeline needs a Flyway Enterprise, Redgate Deploy or SQL Toolbelt licence	Professional edition, with a CLI wizard, exit codes and dbForge DevOps Automation integration
Restore single objects from a backup	Pro	Professional
SSMS integration	Yes	Yes, as an add-in
Client OS	Windows 7 or later, Windows Server 2008 R2 or later, .NET Framework 4.7.2	Windows 7 to 11, Windows Server 2008 to 2025, .NET Framework 4.7.2
Published list price	USD 327 per user, 1-year subscription (1 to 4 users; edition not stated)	Standard USD 239.95, Professional USD 299.95 (subscription)
Trial	14 days, fully functional	Free trial; length not stated

Key differences

Editions: what the basic edition leaves out

The two vendors split their editions along almost the same line. In both, the basic edition compares live databases and schema snapshots and generates a deployment script; the full edition adds the sources and automation a deployment pipeline needs. Redgate says SQL Compare Pro adds backup file and script folder comparison, command-line deployments, writing a database out to object scripts, deploying from object scripts and restoring single objects from a backup. Devart says dbForge Schema Compare Professional adds native backups (with single-object restore), schema script folders, DACPAC packages, objects in source control, version control comparison, the command-line interface with scheduled tasks and exit codes, and integration with dbForge DevOps Automation.

So if you only compare a development database with test or production, either Standard edition may be enough. If you keep the schema in source control or deploy from a CI server, you need SQL Compare Pro or dbForge Professional. Redgate's documentation also aligns its editions with Flyway: Standard mirrors the database support of Flyway Teams, and Professional mirrors Flyway Enterprise.

Comparison sources and platform coverage

Both read live SQL Server databases, snapshots, backups and script folders. Differences at the edges: dbForge lists DACPAC packages as a source, names many version control systems (Azure DevOps, Git, SVN, TFS, Perforce, Vault, Mercurial, Plastic SCM) directly, and lists SQL Server versions back to 2000 plus Azure Synapse Analytics and Microsoft Fabric. SQL Compare lists SQL Server 2008 to 2025, Azure SQL and Amazon RDS, and reads Redgate SQL Backup Pro backups as well as native ones; its documentation notes that natively compressed or encrypted backups are not supported as a backup source. If you depend on a specific source type or an old server version, check it against the vendor's current list rather than assuming parity.

A typical use of either tool is checking for drift before a release. Even without a compare tool you can spot recent changes on the target with a catalog query, which helps you scope the comparison:

-- T-SQL: objects created or altered in the last 7 days on the target database
SELECT s.name AS schema_name, o.name AS object_name, o.type_desc, o.modify_date
FROM sys.objects AS o
JOIN sys.schemas AS s ON s.schema_id = o.schema_id
WHERE o.is_ms_shipped = 0
  AND o.modify_date >= DATEADD(day, -7, SYSDATETIME())
ORDER BY o.modify_date DESC;

Automation and the surrounding tool chain

Redgate positions SQL Compare inside a larger set: SQL Compare Pro is included in SQL Toolbelt Essentials, and Redgate states that using its command line within a Redgate pipeline requires a Flyway Enterprise, Redgate Deploy or SQL Toolbelt licence. Teams that already run Flyway for migrations or own a Toolbelt licence can add SQL Compare without a new vendor. See Flyway vs Liquibase for the migration side.

Devart pairs dbForge Schema Compare Professional with dbForge DevOps Automation for continuous integration, and its command line offers a wizard to build command files, scheduled tasks and exit codes for scripting. Schema comparison is also part of dbForge Studio for SQL Server. In our view, the deciding factor is usually which vendor's other tools you already own, since both full editions cover the core pipeline tasks: compare a source-controlled folder or package with a database, generate a script, fail the build on unexpected differences.

Licensing and price

Redgate sells SQL Compare per user as a 1-year subscription. On 7 November 2026 its product page showed USD 327 per user for 1 to 4 users (about USD 27.25 per user per month), without saying which edition the price applies to; prices for 5 or more users were not shown, and longer contracts are discussed with sales. A 14-day, fully functional trial is available.

Devart listed dbForge Schema Compare Standard at USD 239.95 and Professional at USD 299.95 on its editions page; the product page describes the entry price as "starts from" USD 239.95 per year. Devart's ordering page describes both subscription licences (the software works only while the subscription is active) and perpetual licences with a support period, and a 30-day refund window for annual subscriptions and perpetual licences. The dbForge Compare Bundle, which adds Data Compare, starts from USD 299.95 per year. A free trial is offered, but its length is not stated on the pages we checked.

Pricing and licensing

Redgate SQL Compare. Listed on red-gate.com (USD symbol shown, tax not stated): 1-year subscription, USD 327 per user for 1 to 4 users, about USD 27.25 per user per month. The page does not state which edition this price is for and shows no prices for 5 to 9 or 10+ users. SQL Compare Pro is included in SQL Toolbelt Essentials. 14-day free trial.

dbForge Schema Compare for SQL Server. Listed on devart.com: Standard USD 239.95 and Professional USD 299.95 as subscriptions (the product page says "starts from" USD 239.95 per year); dbForge Compare Bundle (schema and data compare) from USD 299.95 per year; bulk discounts for several licences. Devart's ordering page also describes perpetual licences; check the cart for the licence types offered for this product. Free trial, length not stated.

Pricing checked on the vendors' official pages on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.

Where each one leads

Redgate SQL Compare strengths

Fits a Redgate tool chain: editions aligned with Flyway Teams and Enterprise database support
Reads native and Redgate SQL Backup Pro backups, snapshots and script folders (Pro)
Dependency-aware deployment scripts with warnings about data loss
Included in SQL Toolbelt Essentials with SQL Data Compare and other tools
Fully functional 14-day trial

dbForge Schema Compare strengths

Lower published list price for both editions
DACPAC packages and many version control systems as sources (Professional)
Vendor-stated support from SQL Server 2000 to 2025, plus Azure Synapse and Microsoft Fabric
Command line with a wizard, scheduled tasks and exit codes (Professional)
Runs standalone or as an SSMS add-in, with schema comparison also in dbForge Studio for SQL Server

Limitations

Redgate SQL Compare limitations

Windows only, SQL Server family only; other engines need separate Redgate products
Backups, script folders and the command line need the Pro edition
Command-line use within a Redgate pipeline needs a Flyway Enterprise, Redgate Deploy or SQL Toolbelt licence
Compressed or encrypted native backups are not supported as a source
Product page does not say which edition the listed price is for

dbForge Schema Compare limitations

Windows only; the SQL Server edition does not cover other engines
Backups, script folders, version control and the command line need the Professional edition
Trial length is not stated on the product pages
Smaller ecosystem around it than Redgate's Flyway and Toolbelt products

When to choose each

Choose Redgate SQL Compare if

You already use Flyway or SQL Toolbelt
You restore from Redgate SQL Backup Pro files and want to compare them directly
Your deployment pipeline is built on Redgate tooling
You want a fully functional trial with a known length before buying

Choose dbForge Schema Compare if

A lower published price per user matters
You compare against DACPAC files or several version control systems
You still support SQL Server 2005 or older servers, or compare Azure Synapse or Fabric schemas
You already use dbForge Studio or other Devart tools

When neither is right

You only need occasional schema drift checks: the free Schema Compare in SSMS 22 or the VS Code MSSQL extension may be enough; see the database comparison tools guide and the SSMS profile.
You want versioned, reviewable migration scripts rather than state comparison: see Flyway vs Liquibase.
Your databases are PostgreSQL or MySQL: both products here are SQL Server only; see the Redgate alternatives guide.
You are moving a database to the cloud rather than syncing schemas: see AWS DMS vs Azure Database Migration Service.

Final recommendation

Bottom line

Functionally the two are close: each has a basic edition for comparing live databases and snapshots and a full edition that adds backups, script folders and the command line for pipelines. Redgate SQL Compare is the more direct fit for teams already on Flyway or SQL Toolbelt, or who rely on SQL Backup Pro files, accepting a higher list price and a licence requirement for pipeline use. dbForge Schema Compare is the more direct fit when list price matters, or when you need DACPAC files, very old SQL Server versions or several version control systems as sources. Run both trials against the same pair of databases, compare the generated scripts, and check whether the free SSMS 22 Schema Compare already does enough.

Frequently asked questions

Is dbForge Schema Compare cheaper than Redgate SQL Compare?

On list price, yes. On 7 November 2026 Devart listed Standard at USD 239.95 and Professional at USD 299.95 (subscription), while Redgate listed USD 327 per user for a 1-year subscription for 1 to 4 users without naming the edition. Check current prices and multi-user discounts with each vendor.

Which edition do I need for CI/CD?

The higher one in both cases: SQL Compare Pro or dbForge Schema Compare Professional. Both put the command line, script folders and backup sources in that edition. Redgate also states that using the SQL Compare command line within a Redgate pipeline needs a Flyway Enterprise, Redgate Deploy or SQL Toolbelt licence.

Do these tools compare data as well as schema?

No. Data comparison is a separate product from each vendor: Redgate SQL Data Compare and dbForge Data Compare. Devart sells both together as the dbForge Compare Bundle, and Redgate includes both in SQL Toolbelt Essentials.

Do they run on macOS or Linux?

Both vendors list Windows requirements only (Windows 7 or later with .NET Framework 4.7.2). Both can connect to SQL Server running on Linux as a source or target.

Is there a free alternative?

For SQL Server, SSMS 22 includes Schema Compare (generally available since version 22.10.2) and the VS Code MSSQL extension has its own Schema Compare. Neither compares data or backups.

Sources

Checked November 2026.

How we research comparisons: our editorial method.