Start with Oracle's free tools. For day-to-day SQL and PL/SQL work, Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code is where Oracle is shipping new features each quarter; the SQL Developer desktop app still covers the widest set of built-in features, including Data Modeler, reports, DBA panels and third-party migrations. Add SQLcl for scripting and CI. For a commercial Oracle-specialist IDE, Toad for Oracle (Windows and Mac) and PL/SQL Developer (Windows) are the long-standing choices, and dbForge Studio for Oracle has a free Express edition. If you work across several engines, DataGrip or DBeaver handles Oracle alongside the rest. For fleet monitoring and administration, Oracle Enterprise Manager is Oracle's answer, but check pack licensing first.
Oracle Database is now marketed as Oracle AI Database, with 26ai as the current long-term release (it replaced 23ai through a release update and supersedes 19c). Tools do not always keep up with the naming or the version numbers: some vendors list 26ai explicitly, others document support up to 23ai. Where a vendor's page names the versions it supports, we quote it.
The tools fall into four groups: Oracle's free first-party tools (SQL Developer desktop, SQL Developer for VS Code, SQLcl, Database Actions), Oracle's administration and monitoring console (Enterprise Manager), Oracle-specialist commercial IDEs (Toad for Oracle, PL/SQL Developer, dbForge Studio for Oracle, Navicat for Oracle) and multi-database clients that include Oracle (DataGrip, DBeaver).
A licensing trap worth knowing before you pick an admin tool. Oracle's licensing manual for Oracle AI Database 26ai lists the Diagnostics Pack and Tuning Pack as extra-cost options on Enterprise Edition (included on Oracle AI Database Free and on several Oracle cloud services). It states that any method of using their features, "whether through Enterprise Manager Console, Desktop Widgets, command-line APIs, or direct access to the underlying data", needs the pack licence. That covers, for example, AWR reports, V$ACTIVE_SESSION_HISTORY, DBA_HIST_* views and SQL Monitor. Any tool that shows AWR, ASH or SQL Monitor data on an on-premises Enterprise Edition database therefore needs those packs licensed, whichever vendor made the tool.
Quick picks
Free, maintained by Oracle with quarterly updates, with SQL worksheet, PL/SQL debugging, explain plan and SQLcl built in.
Free, and still the only Oracle tool that bundles Data Modeler, reports, DBA panels and third-party migrations in one app.
Oracle's free Java-based command line, compatible with SQL*Plus scripts, with an MCP server for AI assistants.
Editions from developer to DBA, Windows and Mac builds, and documented support from Oracle 10g Release 2 to 26ai.
One IDE for Oracle and many other engines, with a PL/SQL debugger documented; free for non-commercial use.
How we chose
Considered: Oracle SQL Developer (desktop), Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code, SQLcl, Oracle Database Actions, Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler, Oracle Enterprise Manager, Toad for Oracle, PL/SQL Developer, dbForge Studio for Oracle, Navicat for Oracle, DataGrip and DBeaver.
Inclusion criteria: currently available and maintained by its vendor; connects to Oracle Database; offers a SQL or PL/SQL editor, an object browser or Oracle administration features; and its platforms and licence or price model could be confirmed on an official page. SQL Developer Data Modeler is covered inside the SQL Developer entry and in the FAQ rather than as a separate entry.
What was checked, not tested: docs.oracle.com documentation sets, the Visual Studio Marketplace listing, Quest's Toad for Oracle release notes, and vendor product, edition and documentation pages, on 7 October 2026. The order is not a ranking: Oracle's own tools first, then Oracle-specialist commercial IDEs, then multi-database clients.
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Platforms | Oracle focus | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Developer for VS Code | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux (inside VS Code) | Oracle only | Oracle developers in VS Code | Still adding features from the desktop app |
| SQL Developer (desktop) | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux (JDK 17) | Oracle; browse and migrate some third-party databases | Broadest free feature set | Oracle's new work goes into the VS Code extension |
| SQLcl | Free | Any OS with Java | Oracle only | Scripts, automation, AI agents | Command line only |
| Database Actions | Free (with the database) | Browser | Oracle only | Autonomous Database and OCI users | Built in on Autonomous Database; extra set-up on self-managed databases |
| Enterprise Manager | Paid packs for many features | Server install, browser console | Oracle estate | Fleet monitoring and administration | Diagnostics and Tuning Packs are extra cost on EE |
| Toad for Oracle | Paid | Windows (64-bit), macOS (Apple Silicon) | Oracle only | Specialist developers and DBAs | Mac build has documented limitations |
| PL/SQL Developer | Paid (30-day trial) | Windows | Oracle only | PL/SQL-heavy development | Windows only |
| dbForge Studio for Oracle | Freemium | Windows (macOS, Linux via CrossOver) | Oracle only | Windows users wanting compare and debug | Debugger and compare are paid |
| Navicat for Oracle | Paid (14-day trial) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Oracle only | Cross-platform GUI with modelling and transfer | Fewer PL/SQL specialist features listed |
| DataGrip | Paid (free non-commercial) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Multi-database | Developers on several engines | Documents Oracle 9 to 23; commercial use is paid |
| DBeaver | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux | Multi-database | Free multi-database client | Several Oracle authentication methods are PRO-only |
Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code
Oracle describes this extension as "a new, more powerful version of Oracle SQL Developer desktop that is now freely available as an extension in Visual Studio Code". Its Marketplace listing (publisher Oracle Corporation, version 26.3.0, Free Use Terms and Conditions licence) says product updates are delivered quarterly, "adding capabilities from SQL Developer Classic", and Oracle's documentation set runs from release 23.4 to 26.3.
Documented features: a SQL Worksheet with history and recall, a SQL Notebook, PL/SQL editing, compiling and step-by-step debugging with breakpoints, explain plan (All, Basic, Serial and Typical), spreadsheet-style data grids with export, JSON-relational duality views, APEXLang support, and SQLcl sessions started from the same connections. It also registers Oracle's SQLcl MCP Server for GitHub Copilot, so an AI assistant can work against your database through it.
- Oracle is still porting features from the desktop app, so check the release notes for anything you rely on, such as Data Modeler or third-party migrations.
- Oracle only; you need another tool for other engines.
- The Marketplace listing gives a 3.5 out of 5 user rating, so expect some rough edges reported by users.
Oracle SQL Developer (desktop)
SQL Developer is Oracle's free Java desktop IDE. The current documentation set is release 26.2 (July 2026), and the installation guide covers Windows, Linux and macOS with JDK 17 required. The user guide describes browsing and editing objects, running SQL and scripts, editing and debugging PL/SQL, exporting data and building reports, plus DBA features, a job scheduler, versioning, a command-line interface and an integrated Data Modeler.
It can also connect to MySQL and selected third-party databases (the guide names Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase Adaptive Server and IBM DB2) to view their metadata and data and to migrate them to Oracle. Oracle now calls this product "SQL Developer Classic" on the VS Code extension's listing, and its new development is visibly going into the extension. Community reports describe 26.2 as possibly the last desktop release; we could not confirm that on an Oracle page, so check Oracle's release notes before standardising a team on the desktop app.
- Java desktop application that depends on a JDK 17 runtime.
- Oracle's quarterly feature work now goes into the VS Code extension.
- Third-party database support is aimed at browsing and migration to Oracle, not general multi-database work.
SQLcl
SQLcl (SQL Developer Command Line) is Oracle's Java-based command-line interface for Oracle Database, documented up to release 26.3. Oracle describes it as running SQL and PL/SQL interactively or in batch, with inline editing, statement completion and command recall, and as able to run existing SQL*Plus scripts. SQLcl has documented Liquibase support for schema change management, and Oracle ships an SQLcl MCP Server that the VS Code extension registers for GitHub Copilot.
- No graphical interface; it complements a GUI rather than replacing one.
- Needs a Java runtime.
Oracle Database Actions
Database Actions, previously Oracle SQL Developer Web, is Oracle's web interface for development, data loading, administration and monitoring. The documentation is at release 26.2. It is built into Oracle Autonomous AI Database services and available in the OCI Database Tools service, and its documentation covers a SQL Worksheet, RESTful service creation, JSON collections, charts and dashboards, Data Pump imports, APEX workspace management, Performance Hub, Instance Viewer and AWR reports.
- It is built into Autonomous Database and OCI; for self-managed databases, check Oracle's "Accessing Database Actions" documentation for what has to be set up first.
- AWR and similar pages draw on Diagnostics Pack data, which needs a pack licence on on-premises Enterprise Edition.
Oracle Enterprise Manager
Enterprise Manager is Oracle's management platform for Oracle databases and the infrastructure around them. Oracle's documentation lists Enterprise Manager 24ai as the newest release, alongside Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 13.5. It is the tool for fleet-wide monitoring, performance diagnostics, patching and lifecycle management rather than for writing queries.
Much of its performance tooling relies on the Diagnostics and Tuning Packs, which Oracle's licensing manual lists as extra-cost options on Enterprise Edition. Check with your Oracle licensing contact which packs you hold before enabling those pages.
- A server product to install and run, not a desktop client.
- Key performance features need separately licensed management packs on Enterprise Edition.
- More than a single developer or a small team needs.
Toad for Oracle
Quest's Toad for Oracle is a long-established commercial Oracle IDE. Toad for Oracle 2026 R2 was announced on Quest's Toad World forum on 27 July 2026, with an AI chat feature (Toad Chat) and GitHub Copilot next-edit suggestions. The 2026 R1 release notes list editions from Base and Professional through Professional DB Admin, Xpert Plus (adds SQL Optimizer for Oracle), Developer Plus (adds Code Tester and Benchmark Factory) and several DBA Plus editions (adding Spotlight on Oracle, with RAC and Exadata options), each also sold in an "AI Enabled" version.
The same release notes list support for Oracle Database 10g Release 2 through 19c, 21c, 23ai and 26ai, with an Oracle client optional (without one, utilities such as SQL*Plus, Data Pump and SQL*Loader are unavailable). Toad runs on Windows 10 and 11 and Windows Server 2016 to 2025, and a Mac build runs on Apple Silicon with macOS 11 to 26. Subscription licences require sign-in and internet access to Quest's licensing servers, with offline activation available.
- Commercial only; Quest's product pages did not show list prices to our tools.
- The Mac build has documented limitations: no task scheduler, no VCS integration for Team Coding, and no bundled Quest add-on products.
- Higher editions bundle several separate Quest products, which can make edition choice complicated.
PL/SQL Developer
PL/SQL Developer from Allround Automations is a Windows IDE focused on PL/SQL program units. Version 17.0 is current on the vendor's site, which lists an integrated debugger (step in, over and out, breakpoints, call stack), a PL/SQL editor with code assistant, refactoring and beautifier, and an AI Assistant for creating, changing and analysing code. It connects through Oracle Net without other middleware.
It is sold as a perpetual licence per named user (not per PC, server or database), with published prices for 1 to unlimited users, an optional annual support contract and a fully functional 30-day trial.
- Windows only.
- Oracle only, and focused on development rather than administration.
- We could not find a list of supported Oracle Database versions on the product page.
dbForge Studio for Oracle
Devart's dbForge Studio for Oracle (version 2025.2 on the product page) comes in four editions. Express is free; Standard adds the PL/SQL debugger; Professional adds schema and data comparison and synchronisation, database projects, pivot tables and data reports; and Enterprise adds a data generator. The AI Assistant, which turns natural language into SQL and suggests query optimisations, is listed in every edition. Paid editions are sold as subscriptions.
- Native on Windows only; Devart supports macOS and Linux through CrossOver.
- The PL/SQL debugger is not in the free Express edition, and compare tools need Professional or above.
DataGrip
JetBrains' DataGrip 2026.2 documents Oracle Database versions 9 to 23, with Thin and OCI connection modes, SYSDBA and SYSOPER roles, Kerberos, TNS configuration files, DBMS_OUTPUT, explain plans and SQL*Plus command compatibility. Its documentation also describes a PL/SQL debugger, based on the DBMS_DEBUG package, for anonymous blocks, packages, procedures, functions and triggers.
DataGrip has been free for non-commercial use since 1 October 2025; commercial use needs a subscription after a 30-day trial. See our Oracle SQL Developer vs DataGrip comparison.
- The Oracle page lists versions up to 23, without naming 26ai.
- No Oracle-specific administration console like SQL Developer's DBA panel or Toad's DBA editions.
- Commercial use is paid; JetBrains lists 8 GB of RAM in its system requirements.
DBeaver
DBeaver Community (Apache-2.0) supports Oracle, and DBeaver's Oracle documentation covers PL/SQL procedures and functions, scripts in SQL*Plus syntax, session and lock managers, execution plans, performance reports, partitions, roles, profiles and permissions, and object dependencies. Several items are marked PRO-only: Oracle Wallet, OS and Kerberos authentication, Microsoft Entra ID, password changes and creating or cloning users.
See our Oracle SQL Developer vs DBeaver comparison for the trade-offs against Oracle's own tool.
- Common enterprise sign-in methods for Oracle (Wallet, Kerberos, OS authentication) need a paid edition.
- We found no PL/SQL debugger documented for DBeaver Community.
How to choose
Developers on a budget: start with SQL Developer for VS Code and SQLcl, and keep the SQL Developer desktop app for anything the extension does not do yet, such as Data Modeler. PL/SQL-heavy teams: compare Toad for Oracle and PL/SQL Developer; both are built around Oracle code, and PL/SQL Developer publishes simple perpetual per-user prices. Mixed estates: DataGrip or DBeaver save you running one tool per engine, at the cost of fewer Oracle-specific administration screens.
DBAs: SQL Developer's DBA panel and Database Actions cover routine administration for free; Toad's DBA editions and Enterprise Manager go further. Whatever you choose, confirm your Diagnostics and Tuning Pack licences before using AWR, ASH or SQL Monitor features on Enterprise Edition. If you are still deciding on the engine itself, see SQL Server vs Oracle.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oracle SQL Developer still free?
Yes. Both the SQL Developer desktop app and the SQL Developer extension for VS Code are free; the extension is published under Oracle's Free Use Terms and Conditions licence. SQLcl and Database Actions are also free.
Should I use SQL Developer desktop or the VS Code extension?
For new work, Oracle's direction is the VS Code extension: Oracle calls it a new, more powerful version of SQL Developer desktop and adds features quarterly. The desktop app (Oracle now calls it SQL Developer Classic) still has features the extension may not have yet, such as the integrated Data Modeler and third-party database migrations, so many teams keep both for now.
What is the best free tool for Oracle Database?
Oracle's own tools are free and the most complete for Oracle: SQL Developer for VS Code, SQL Developer desktop, SQLcl and Database Actions. Among third-party tools, DBeaver Community and dbForge Studio for Oracle Express are free, and DataGrip is free for non-commercial use.
Does using a third-party tool avoid Oracle Diagnostics Pack licensing?
No. Oracle's licensing manual says any method of accessing Diagnostics or Tuning Pack functionality, including command-line APIs and direct access to the underlying data, needs the pack licence. On Enterprise Edition, that applies to AWR, ASH and SQL Monitor data whichever tool displays it.
What about Oracle data modelling tools?
Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler is free and documented up to release 24.3, and a version is integrated into SQL Developer desktop. Some Toad for Oracle editions include Toad Data Modeler or erwin Data Modeler Lite for Oracle. For other options, see our best ER diagram tools guide.
Sources
- Oracle SQL Developer 26.2 documentation
- Oracle SQL Developer 26.2 system recommendations (JDK 17)
- Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code (Visual Studio Marketplace)
- Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code documentation
- Oracle SQLcl documentation
- Oracle Database Actions documentation
- Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler documentation
- Oracle Enterprise Manager documentation
- Oracle AI Database 26ai licensing information (management packs)
- Toad for Oracle 2026 R1 release notes (Quest, PDF)
- Toad for Oracle 2026 R2 announcement (Toad World)
- PL/SQL Developer (Allround Automations)
- dbForge Studio for Oracle editions (Devart)
- Navicat for Oracle
- DataGrip: Oracle
- DataGrip: debugging PL/SQL code
- DBeaver: Oracle
Checked October 2026.
How we research these guides: our editorial method.