At a glance
| Supported databases | SQL Server 2000 (limited) to 2025, Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance, Synapse, Fabric, Amazon RDS |
| Data generation | 200+ meaningful and 15+ basic generators, custom generators |
| Masking | Not a masking tool |
| Referential integrity | Foreign key generators and inter-column dependencies |
| CI/CD integration | Command line, .bat scheduling, dbForge DevOps Automation |
| Test automation | Data generation only; pair with a unit test framework such as tSQLt |
| Data volume or subsetting | Row counts per table; no subsetting of production data |
| Deployment | Windows desktop application, SSMS add-in, part of dbForge Studio |
| Licensing | From $199.95 per year; subscription or perpetual; 30-day trial |
dbForge Data Generator is the closest like-for-like alternative to Redgate SQL Data Generator, with a lower published starting price ($199.95 per year), a larger generator library and a wider documented list of SQL Server versions and Azure services. It is Windows only and generates data rather than masking production copies. Devart sells separate generators for MySQL, Oracle and PostgreSQL.
Overview
dbForge Data Generator for SQL Server is a standalone Devart tool, also available as an SSMS add-in and inside dbForge Studio for SQL Server, that fills tables with synthetic test data. A Data Population Wizard lets you pick tables, row counts and generators, then either run the generated script against the database, save it to a file or open it in the editor for review.
Devart documents support for SQL Server 2000 (limited) through SQL Server 2025, LocalDB, SQL Server on Linux, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure Synapse Analytics pools, Microsoft Fabric, Amazon RDS and other hosted services. Version 2026.2.82 was current on 16 October 2026. Devart also sells Data Generator products for MySQL and MariaDB, Oracle and PostgreSQL; this profile covers the SQL Server product.
Key features
- More than 200 meaningful generators (names, addresses, emails, IDs, credit card numbers) and 15+ basic generators
- Custom generators you can save as XML files and share with a team
- Support for all SQL Server column types, including geography, geometry, hierarchyid, datetimeoffset and XML
- Foreign key generators and preserved inter-column dependencies for consistent related data
- Data Population Wizard that runs, saves or opens the generated script
- Command-line generatedata operation, with .bat files for Windows Task Scheduler and dbForge DevOps Automation for CI/CD
- SSMS integration from the Object Explorer context menu (SSMS 17 to 22)
Integrations and ecosystem
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lower published starting price than Redgate SQL Data Generator
- Large generator library covering common business data
- Documented support for current SQL Server and Azure services, including SQL Server 2025 and Fabric
- Also included in the dbForge SQL Tools bundle and dbForge Studio for SQL Server
Cons
- Windows only
- One engine per product: MySQL, Oracle and PostgreSQL need separate Devart generators
- Per-edition prices were not readable on the ordering page
- Generates synthetic data; no masking or subsetting of production copies
Pricing
Devart's product page showed dbForge Data Generator for SQL Server from $199.95 per year, and the dbForge SQL Tools bundle (15 tools, including Data Generator) from $469.95 per year, in US dollars. The ordering page describes both subscription and perpetual licence types, but its edition and price table did not load in the page text, so per-edition prices could not be confirmed. A 30-day free trial of the highest edition is available. A data generator is also built into dbForge Studio for SQL Server.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
SQL Server and Azure SQL teams that want a GUI and command-line test data generator at a published price, especially those already using dbForge tools.
Typical use cases
- Seeding development and QA databases with realistic but fictitious records
- Generating large tables to test indexing and query performance before release
- Refreshing test data on a schedule from a .bat file or CI job
- Creating demo databases for training or sales without real customer data
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams that need masked production copies with subsetting across engines: consider Tonic.ai, Delphix or K2View.
- Developers on macOS or Linux who want a native tool or a library such as Faker in code.
Verdict
dbForge Data Generator covers the same job as Redgate SQL Data Generator with a larger generator set, a lower published entry price and broader documented platform support. It suits Windows-based SQL Server teams; anyone who needs masking, subsetting or several engines from one tool should look at test data management platforms instead.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dbForge Data Generator for SQL Server cost?
Devart's product page showed it from $199.95 per year, and the dbForge SQL Tools bundle from $469.95 per year. Devart offers subscription and perpetual licences and a 30-day trial.
Is dbForge Data Generator part of dbForge Studio?
Devart documents a SQL data generator inside dbForge Studio for SQL Server, so Studio users may not need the standalone tool; check which Studio edition includes it before buying. The standalone product is also sold in the dbForge SQL Tools bundle.
Does it work with Azure SQL?
Devart's requirements page lists Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure Synapse Analytics pools and Microsoft Fabric, with Microsoft Entra ID multi-factor authentication.
Is there a version for PostgreSQL or MySQL?
Devart sells separate Data Generator products for MySQL and MariaDB, Oracle and PostgreSQL. Each targets one engine.
Sources
- dbForge Data Generator for SQL Server product page
- Features
- Ordering and licence types
- Download (current version)
- Requirements (documentation)
- Revision history
Checked November 2026.
Listed in: Database Testing & Test Data.
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