DbVisualizer vs. Redgate SQL Compare

Whenever you have to access data sources from more than one database engine provider, you should consider using DbVisualizer for the task. Switching between multiples IDE consumes time and resources (memory), and you also need to learn menus, shortcuts, etc., for each IDE, while using DbVisualizer allows you to work consistently no matter which database engine you are connecting. You can use it to simply navigate through data structures, write SQL sentences or even create new tables and views, develop stored procedures, etc.

We use SQL Compare to troubleshoot performance problems quite a bit since our data model is more like a template and not everything is 100% in sync and customization occurs between different client databases. We continually get pulled into performance issues and the developers will say Client A is performing different than Client B, why? Using SQL Compare, we usually find that one client was tuned and had indexes altered or added that weren't deployed to all clients or other objects weren't deployed correctly during the release. On the other hand, since our data model practices allow client databases to drift I tried to create a new golden image by trying to compare multiple databases based on the same data model and found it to be a very difficult process to complete using SQL Compare. SQL Compare gave me too much information and doesn't allow enough filtering to eliminate a lot of the noise.

• Timed queries that add their result to the result grid for every execution are helpful. Creation of graphs also extremely helpful.
• Query history and auto-recover feature makes sure we don't lose our queries.
• Actions like exporting grids to Excel or other tools is a very easy task.

• Simple and easy comparison of database schemas and data. Differences can be copied or synced from one database to another with a click of a button.
• You can save "projects" so that you can easily rerun a previous comparison whenever you need to.
• It has a very simple, easy to learn interface. I've never needed to read any documentation or watch any tutorials in order to figure out how to do something.

• When exporting databases to jpg or png image, it should be possible to print banner type without losing quality and legibility
• Be able to define sections or a set of tables with an identifier of colors that help a better visualization or understanding of large databases
• Implement a cooperative mode for work teams

• Pricing.... I wish there was an inexpensive developer version I could buy for myself.
• Portability.... I would like to use it from a flash drive so I can use it where ever I am asked to work.
• Unbundled.... This may be available already but I dont' recall I can buy it cheaply as a stand-alone product. Its only part of the bundle - cost effectively.

We never had problems with it. It is able to connect to all data sources (Oracle, Informix, DB2, SQL Server) that we currently use.

Menus are simple and well organized. You can use the same shortcuts no matter which database engine you are connecting to. Configuration of data source connections is simple while keeping all required options.

It's a good tool to have, but becomes expensive to buy a user license for each developer.

They have a great community website where you can search for answers but are also very responsive when it comes to direct support.

DbVisualizer provides a good value when compared against other 3rd party products with similar features as well as products with similar functionality made by the database vendors. The user interface is good and user friendly / intuitive and easy to learn. It doesn't take too long for an experienced DBA / database developer to come up to speed.

I've used Visual Studio Database Projects for this type of work in the past with some success, but Redgate SQL Compare is faster, more transparent, and simply easier to use. Faster is self explanatory. More transparent, means that it's much easier to set up your desired options for schema change deployment scripts. Easier to use, It's really dead simple. Start a project, connect your source, connect destination, click compare.

• The pricing for DbVisualizer is fair.
• The tool also succeeds in non-functional areas I find important, such as being able to install and/or run without requiring administrator privileges on Windows.
• Has capability to generate diagrams and models from existing databases which is very helpful in reverse engineering.

• Makes deployment fairly simple. Cutting our deployment time down.
• With the SDK, we can customize our deployment process very quickly and easily.
• History is not great, it does create scripts you can go back and see but it would be nice to have a quicker version view by object to save time.