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Azure Data Studio

Azure Data Studio was retired by Microsoft on 28 February 2026 and no longer receives updates or security fixes. Do not install it for new work: use SSMS 22 on Windows for administration, or Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL and PostgreSQL extensions on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Free Research-based review
Last verified October 2026. Version checked: 1.52 (final release, 18 June 2025). Features and pricing for commercial products change; check the vendor site for the latest details.
Vendor
Microsoft
Price
Free
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux (retired)
Licence
Retired 28 February 2026; source code MIT licensed (repository archived)
Works with
SQL ServerAzure SQL DatabaseAzure SQL Managed InstancePostgreSQL (via extension)
Short answer

Azure Data Studio is retired. Microsoft ended it on 28 February 2026; it gets no further updates, security patches or maintenance, and its GitHub repository was archived the same day. Do not start using it, and plan to move off it if you still do. Microsoft's replacements are Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension for everyday SQL development on Windows, macOS and Linux (plus the PostgreSQL extension for PostgreSQL), and SSMS 22 on Windows for SQL Server Agent jobs and full administration.

How we know: This page is research-based. The retirement date, what retirement means, the final version and Microsoft's recommended replacements were checked against Microsoft Learn ("What's happening with Azure Data Studio" and the archived download page) and the archived GitHub repository on 7 October 2026. We have not tested Azure Data Studio or its replacements.

Overview

Azure Data Studio was Microsoft's free, cross-platform data tool for SQL Server and the Azure SQL family, built on the same foundation as Visual Studio Code. It ran on Windows, macOS and Linux and offered a query editor with IntelliSense, SQL notebooks, source control integration and an extension model, with PostgreSQL support through an extension. The final release listed by Microsoft is version 1.52, released on 18 June 2025.

Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio on 28 February 2026. Its guidance page states that the product "no longer receives updates or security fixes" and that it "is no longer supported". The download page has been moved to Microsoft's archived documentation, and the GitHub repository was archived on 28 February 2026 and is read-only. Microsoft's stated reason is to consolidate SQL development tools into Visual Studio Code and SSMS so the team can focus on fewer tools.

Where to go instead, according to Microsoft:

  • Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension for daily SQL development. Microsoft states that existing queries, scripts and SQL database projects open without conversion, and that the extension includes Schema Compare, a Schema Designer, SQL notebooks, a Query Profiler, DACPAC and BACPAC import and export, flat file import, and backup and restore. Like Azure Data Studio, VS Code runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
  • SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), which Microsoft calls "the supported home for SQL Server Agent and general administration". SSMS 22 is free and Windows only.
  • The PostgreSQL extension for VS Code replaces the Azure Data Studio PostgreSQL extension, and Azure Databases for VS Code replaces the Cosmos DB (MongoDB API) extension. For MySQL, Microsoft says a replacement is pending.

Key features

  • Status: retired 28 February 2026; no updates, security fixes or support
  • Final version: 1.52, released 18 June 2025
  • Replacement for development: VS Code with the MSSQL extension (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Replacement for administration and SQL Server Agent: SSMS 22 (Windows)
  • Replacement for PostgreSQL work: the Microsoft PostgreSQL extension for VS Code

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Existing queries, scripts and SQL database projects open in VS Code without conversion, according to Microsoft
  • Microsoft publishes a feature-by-feature replacement table for its former extensions
  • The replacements are free, and VS Code keeps the same three operating systems

Cons

  • Retired on 28 February 2026: no updates, security fixes or support
  • Unpatched software should not connect to production databases
  • Some former extensions have no direct replacement yet; Microsoft lists MySQL as pending
  • SQL Server Agent management moves to SSMS, which runs only on Windows

Pricing

Azure Data Studio was free, and its source code on GitHub is MIT licensed. Price is no longer the relevant question: Microsoft retired the product on 28 February 2026, and it receives no updates or security fixes. The recommended replacements are also free: Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension (and the PostgreSQL extension), and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 22 on Windows.

Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 October 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.

Who it is best for

Nobody starting today. This page is for existing Azure Data Studio users who need to know its status and where to migrate.

Who should look elsewhere

  • Everyone starting today. Azure Data Studio is retired and unpatched; install VS Code with the MSSQL extension or SSMS 22 instead.
  • Existing users who connect to production systems: migrate rather than keep running software that gets no security fixes.
  • PostgreSQL users of the old extension: move to the PostgreSQL extension for VS Code, or a dedicated client such as pgAdmin.
  • Anyone who wants a non-Microsoft cross-platform client: see DBeaver or best SSMS alternatives.

Verdict

Our take

Azure Data Studio is no longer an option. Microsoft retired it on 28 February 2026, and it receives no updates or security fixes. If you are choosing a tool now, pick VS Code with the MSSQL extension for cross-platform SQL development and SSMS 22 for SQL Server administration and Agent jobs on Windows. If you still use Azure Data Studio, use Microsoft's replacement table to move each extension, then uninstall it. The SSMS vs Azure Data Studio page covers where to move in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Is Azure Data Studio discontinued?

Yes. Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio on 28 February 2026. It no longer receives updates, security patches or maintenance, and it is no longer supported.

What replaces Azure Data Studio?

Microsoft recommends Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension for SQL development, the PostgreSQL extension for VS Code for PostgreSQL, and SSMS for SQL Server Agent and full administration. See the VS Code MSSQL extension review and the SSMS review.

Can I keep using Azure Data Studio?

Microsoft no longer supports it and it receives no security fixes, so it is not a safe choice for connecting to production systems. Microsoft advises migrating to VS Code with the MSSQL extension.

Will my notebooks and SQL projects move to VS Code?

Microsoft states that queries, scripts and SQL database projects work in VS Code without conversion, and the MSSQL extension includes Jupyter-based SQL notebooks. Check any third-party extensions you used, since not all have replacements.

What about the MySQL extension?

Microsoft lists the MySQL replacement as pending. Meanwhile, use a MySQL client such as MySQL Workbench or DBeaver.

Sources

Checked October 2026.

How we research reviews and what star ratings mean: our editorial method.

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