At a glance
| Supported databases | Oracle Database 11gR2, 19c, 23ai (certified in the 26.2 Installation Guide); MySQL, SQL Server, Sybase ASE and Db2 for browsing and migration |
| Query editor | SQL worksheet with explain plan; PL/SQL editor and debugger (desktop and VS Code extension) |
| Schema comparison | Database Diff compares two schemas and can update the destination (desktop) |
| Data import and export | Export CSV, XML, SQL inserts, SQL*Loader; import CSV and Excel; VS Code extension exports grids to CSV, JSON, XML |
| SSH and connection security | SSH hosts with OpenSSH key files and port forwards; TNS, OS and proxy authentication |
| Deployment | Desktop on Windows, macOS and Linux (JDK 17); extension inside VS Code |
| Licensing | Free: no-cost Oracle download (desktop), Free Use Terms and Conditions (VS Code) |
For Oracle work, SQL Developer is the free default: PL/SQL editing and debugging, a DBA console, reports, Data Modeler and migrations from other databases, all at no cost. New users should start with the VS Code extension, where Oracle is adding features each quarter, and keep the desktop app for features it still covers best, such as Data Modeler and third-party migrations.
Overview
Oracle SQL Developer is a free integrated development environment for Oracle Database, on premises and in Oracle Cloud. Oracle's 26.2 Installation Guide certifies Oracle Database 11gR2, 19c and 23ai, and its documentation describes PL/SQL editing and debugging, a worksheet for queries and scripts, DBA features, reports, an integrated Data Modeler and migration of third-party databases to Oracle. The desktop release is 26.2 (July 2026), a Java application that needs JDK 17; the Installation Guide says a Windows 64-bit kit with an embedded JDK may be available, while Linux and macOS users install JDK 17 themselves.
Oracle also publishes SQL Developer for VS Code, documented from release 23.4 to 26.3. It offers a SQL worksheet, PL/SQL editing and a debugger built on VS Code's debugging, SQL notebooks, schema diagrams, DBA tools including ASH and AWR reports, and an integrated SQLcl with an MCP server for AI assistants such as GitHub Copilot.
Key features
- SQL worksheet with explain plan, and a PL/SQL editor that compiles for debug, sets breakpoints and steps through code
- DBA console covering parameters, Data Pump, RMAN, AWR, ADDM, ASH, the scheduler, users and storage
- Database Diff to compare two schemas and optionally update the destination, plus Database Copy
- Integrated Data Modeler for logical, relational and physical models
- Migration of SQL Server, Sybase ASE, IBM Db2 and MySQL databases to Oracle
- Data export to CSV, XML, SQL inserts and SQL*Loader files, and import from CSV and Excel
- SSH host connections with key files and port forwarding, and TNS connections read from tnsnames.ora
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free, from Oracle
- Deep Oracle coverage: PL/SQL debugging, DBA console, reports and Data Modeler in one app
- Migration tools for moving SQL Server, Sybase, Db2 and MySQL databases to Oracle
- A VS Code extension that Oracle updates quarterly
Cons
- Oracle only for everyday work; other engines are supported mainly for migration
- The desktop app needs JDK 17, which Linux and macOS users must install separately
- Oracle's quarterly feature updates go into the VS Code extension rather than the desktop app
- Some performance features, such as Real Time SQL Monitor, need the Oracle Tuning Pack
Pricing
Oracle's documentation describes SQL Developer desktop as a free graphical tool; check the licence terms shown when you download it. SQL Developer for VS Code is distributed free under Oracle's Free Use Terms and Conditions licence, according to its Marketplace listing.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Oracle developers and DBAs who want Oracle's own free tool for SQL, PL/SQL, administration and modelling.
Who should look elsewhere
- People who work across several database engines every day: see Oracle SQL Developer vs DBeaver and Oracle SQL Developer vs DataGrip.
- Teams that want a commercial Oracle suite with tuning, testing and automation add-ons: see Toad vs SQL Developer.
Verdict
Oracle SQL Developer is the natural starting point for anyone working mainly with Oracle Database, since it is free and covers development, administration and modelling. Oracle's direction is the VS Code extension, so evaluate that first, and keep the desktop app installed while it still covers features you rely on.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oracle SQL Developer free?
Yes. Oracle's documentation describes the desktop app as a free tool, and SQL Developer for VS Code is distributed free under Oracle's Free Use Terms and Conditions licence. Read the licence terms shown at download for the conditions that apply to your use.
Is SQL Developer being replaced by the VS Code extension?
Oracle describes SQL Developer for VS Code as a new, more powerful version of SQL Developer desktop and adds capabilities from what it calls SQL Developer Classic every quarter. The desktop app is still available (26.2, July 2026), and we found no end-of-life date on Oracle's pages.
Can SQL Developer connect to databases other than Oracle?
It can connect to MySQL and to Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase Adaptive Server and IBM Db2, mainly to view their objects and migrate them to Oracle. For daily work on several engines, a multi-database client fits better.
Sources
- Oracle SQL Developer documentation (all releases)
- Oracle SQL Developer 26.2 (title page, July 2026)
- Oracle SQL Developer 26.2 Installation Guide: installing and starting
- Oracle SQL Developer 26.2: database certification
- Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code documentation (all releases)
- Oracle SQL Developer 26.2 User's Guide: concepts and usage
- Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code 26.3: getting started
- Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code (Visual Studio Marketplace)
Checked November 2026.
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