Azure Data Studio

Microsoft's retired cross-platform SQL editor, replaced by the MSSQL extension for VS Code.

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Verified facts: 3 of 3
Alternatives ranked: 5
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Azure Data Studio has been discontinued. Retired by Microsoft on 28 February 2026; no further updates or security fixes.

About Azure Data Studio

Azure Data Studio was Microsoft's free, cross-platform data tool for SQL Server, Azure SQL and PostgreSQL, built on the same foundations as Visual Studio Code. It offered a lightweight query editor with IntelliSense, notebooks that mixed SQL, Python and markdown, customisable dashboards, Git integration and an extension marketplace, and it ran on Windows, macOS and Linux. That made it the usual choice for people who needed SQL Server tools outside Windows. Microsoft retired it on 28 February 2026; it no longer receives updates or security fixes, and Microsoft points users to the MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code, which keeps existing queries, scripts and database projects working without conversion. The app still runs if installed, but it should not be relied on for new work, especially on connected production systems. People still searching for it will usually want the VS Code extension, SSMS on Windows, or a third-party cross-platform client.

Best for: Nobody for new work; existing users should plan a move to a supported tool.

What works

Was free and cross-platform
Existing queries and projects move to VS Code unchanged
Notebooks mixed SQL and documentation

Why people leave

Retired, with no security fixes
Extensions and features will not be updated
Replacement requires switching to VS Code

Top Azure Data Studio alternatives

See all 5

1
MSSQL extension for VS Code
Microsoft's official replacement, with the same queries and projects working unchanged.
66.5
2
SQL Server Management Studio
The full SQL Server management tool for anyone on Windows.
62.6
3
DBeaver
Free and cross-platform, with SQL Server and PostgreSQL support.
59.6
4
DataGrip
Cross-platform IDE with strong SQL Server and Postgres support.
57.2
5
Beekeeper Studio
A simple cross-platform client covering SQL Server and Postgres.
55.3

Why people left Azure Data Studio

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Azure Data Studio: common questions

Is Azure Data Studio free?

Yes, Azure Data Studio is free to use.

Is Azure Data Studio open source?

Yes.

What platforms does Azure Data Studio run on?

Azure Data Studio is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to Azure Data Studio?

The highest-ranked Azure Data Studio alternatives right now are MSSQL extension for VS Code, SQL Server Management Studio and DBeaver. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Azure Data Studio alternatives

Azure Data Studio facts

3 of 3 verified

Status: Retired 28 February 2026; Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab); “retired as of February 28, 2026 and no longer receives updates or security fixes.”
Replacement: MSSQL extension for VS Code; Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab); “Migrate to Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension for continued support.”
Migration: Queries and projects work without conversion; Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab); “Your existing queries, scripts, and database projects work in Visual Studio Code without conversion.”