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SQL compare

ApexSQL Diff is a SQL Server development tool capable of performing comparison and synchronization of schemas including tables, views, procedures, functions and other database objects, between different data sources.
An introduction to ApexSQL Diff 12:13
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SQL compare
Overview Benefits Resources Related Topics
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Benefits

  • Compare live DBs, backups, script folders and SC projects

  • Deploy a database directly from source control

  • Create custom pre and post processing scripts

  • Integrate with all popular SC systems e.g. Git, SVN

  • Automate and schedule database synchronizations

  • Initiate database comparison directly from SSMS and VS

  • Report results to HTML, XML and Excel

  • Create executable installation packages

Features

SQL database backups comparison

Compare SQL databases against backups without restoring. Learn more

SSMS and Visual Studio integration

Compare SQL schemas directly from the Object Explorer and Server Explorer right-click context menus in SSMS and Visual Studio

Reporting

Export SQL database comparison results to HTML. Learn more

Accurate dependencies

Recognize all object interdependencies, even those that even SQL Server itself fails to identify, to ensure perfect sync scripts every time

Schema snapshots

Build a continuous audit trail of all SQL schema changes through schema snapshots. Create snapshots nightly with scheduled jobs. Learn more

Pre-impact analysis

Review the impact of the synchronization script before it is executed, including warning levels and messages

Database builds

Deploy scripts saved in a file or under source control to a new or existing SQL database. Learn more

Repeatable sessions

Save your settings to a project for re-execution of the same session

Custom script support

Augment the deployment script with your own pre or post synchronization scripts

Native IDE

Use a built-in SQL editor to review and edit SQL scripts prior to execution

Difference viewer

Quickly identify line level differences between compared SQL databases

Schema mapping

Compare SQL objects with different users. Learn more

Transparent decryption

Compare encrypted SQL objects

Object filters

Selectively limit what will be compared and synchronized with advanced, visual filtering

Source control integration

Including Git, Mercurial, Perforce, Subversion, and Team Foundation Server

Visual themes

Customize the visual appearance with interface themes. Learn more

SSIS packages comparison

Compare SSIS packages and export package difference results

Related Topics

ApexSQL Diff 2018 - Screen shot tour

ApexSQL Diff 2018 - Screen shot tour

This article describes features of ApexSQL Diff through the screen shots
Advantages of ApexSQL Diff

Advantages of ApexSQL Diff

This article describes key and unique features, as well as important advantages of ApexSQL Diff
How to automatically keep two SQL Server database schemas in sync

How to automatically keep two SQL Server database schemas in sync

This article describes how a system including a SQL Server database schema compare tool, along with some PowerShell and a scheduler can keep the QA database in sync and up to date, and run automatically and unattended
How to build a “smart” SQL Server Data dictionary

How to build a “smart” SQL Server Data dictionary

This article explains how to create a smart data dictionary using XML schema change exports from ApexSQL Diff
How to automatically monitor a SQL Server database for schema changes and create an audit log

How to automatically monitor a SQL Server database for schema changes and create an audit log

This article explains how to set up a simple yet powerful system to monitor an unlimited number of databases, that can be connected to via the workstation client that ApexSQL Diff is installed on
How to keep a source control repository updated with the latest SQL Server database changes

How to keep a source control repository updated with the latest SQL Server database changes

This article describes how a system including a SQL Server database schema compare tool, along with some PowerShell and a scheduler can keep a source control repository in sync and up to date, in near real time, and run automatically and unattended
Compare SQL Server database schemas automatically

Compare SQL Server database schemas automatically

This article describes how to automate comparison and synchronization of SQL Server database schemas using ApexSQL Diff
How to version and audit schemas and rollback changes with schema snapshots

How to version and audit schemas and rollback changes with schema snapshots

This article describes method of database versioning, where the whole database schema is saved to a snapshot file, which can be reused later on to recreate the captured state of a database
ApexSQL Diff Command Line Interface (CLI) switches

ApexSQL Diff Command Line Interface (CLI) switches

This article explains the ApexSQL Diff CLI switches, and their usage through the examples

Testimonials

Grayhouse, LLC

I’ve been very impressed thus far with the ApexSQL Diff tool. Using it has been a breeze and the responsiveness of the support staff has been amazing! I’m looking forward to delving into the API for automation.

Christian R. Ford CIO

Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd

ApexSQL Diff tools... time-saving, life-saving software.... I love it :)

Ben Joyce Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd

Horizons International

Microsoft Great Plains is a database that has over 1,000 tables and 11,000 stored procedures and a large amount of other objects contained in SQL. I have looked at many different products to show the differences between the different versions of GP and ApexSQL, in my opinion was the fastest. Since their new changes to ApexSQL Diff they've even surpassed their own record in how long it takes to compare the databases. I validate this because I didn't do an accurate timing 2 years ago but I'm pretty sure the comparison has gone from 10-15 minutes down to less than a few minutes. It's amazing how fast it really works!

Jaydel Gluckie .net Development Manager

Blue Frog Solutions Inc.

Thank you for the fine product your company delivers (ApexSQL Diff). I have caused several companies to purchase this during my career as a DBA as I find it to be the best at reconciling database structure, hands down. I have successfully activated the software and as usual am extremely happy with the upgrade

Chuck Fox Blue Frog Solutions Inc.

MicroLogix Information Systems, Inc.

Thank you for all the help! After working with ApexSQL Diff for so many years it is extremely encouraging to see your involvement in the direction of the products! I still remember when I first started using proc-blaster (many moons and employers ago)! The product line has come a long way since those days and I am encouraged by the direction the applications have gone. :) With each release you have made my life easier :)

Tom Bruinsma Vice President - Integration Services

Global Care Solutions

Keep up the good work by the way, I′m using 2 of your products on a daily basis. ApexSQL Diff rocks

Joris Laperre DBA

WDT Datentechnik GmbH, Germany

As your product offers the best set of features I’ve seen so far and your customer-service has fully convinced me (couldn't be better, keep it going like this) I’d like to order a license of ApexSQL Diff

Martin Schwier Proj. Manager

Bell Mortgage

ApexSQL Diff paid for itself in the first hour of using it. I synced 12 different databases to a common rev and man am I happy

Casey Kirt Project Manager

OffiCom

ApexSQL Diff is a great product. Keep on the good work

Kris Gilot Software Manager

Corobori WebDesign

Renewal installed working fine. Boy I missed ApexSQL Diff, I tried a bunch of other software lately and yours is the only I felt at ease with

Jean-Luc Praz Founder

Exabyte Development

ApexSQL Diff is indispensable to me to sync objects between databases, and especially between source control and production (enabling clear view of exact changes going into production) once amended objects are ready for deployment.

Robert Blomstrand Senior Database and .Net Developer Consultant

CEO

I love the ApexSQL Diff tool it is an integral part of my update process, I use it to update customer databases to the latest format required by our software. I don’t know what I would do without it. It works every time and I’ve never had an issue.

Annette Kord Kord Information Systems, LLC

ApexSQL Diff is part of the ApexSQL DevOps toolkit

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ApexSQL Diff is part of the ApexSQL DevOps toolkit

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Compare SQL schemas from databases, backups, scripts and source control.
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