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Replace SQL Developer Classic with Aqua Data Studio

SQL Developer Classic is being retired, and its underlying platform is no longer under active development. Aqua Data Studio offers a modern, actively maintained alternative — with the capabilities you're used to from SQL Developer, plus support for 40+ platforms out of the box.
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Catalina Logo
prudential logo
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accenture
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salesforce
BP
Catalina Logo
prudential logo
Pfizer logo
accenture
Barclays
salesforce
BP
Catalina Logo
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accenture
Barclays
salesforce
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salesforce

Why Move Beyond SQL Developer Classic?

Switching database tools isn't just about replacing features, it's about working smarter. As environments grow more diverse, teams need one place to work across Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, MongoDB, and more, and Aqua Data Studio delivers: development, administration, data modeling, and analytics in a single cross-platform environment.

One tool.
More databases.
More possibilities.

What Changes When You Move to Aqua Data Studio?

01

From Oracle-only to 40+ database platforms

SQL Developer is designed around the Oracle ecosystem. Aqua Data Studio gives teams a single database IDE that works across 40+ database platforms. Connect to Oracle alongside SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Snowflake, MongoDB, and many other platforms from the same familiar environment.

Why it matters:
  • Reduce the number of database tools your teams need to maintain
  • Work across heterogeneous database environments
  • Give DBAs and developers a consistent experience across platforms
  • Support database modernization and migration initiatives without changing tools again
02

From code-centric administration to visual database management

Database administration shouldn't require writing SQL for every administrative task. Aqua Data Studio provides visual interfaces for common database management activities, including user and security management, storage management, session monitoring, and other administrative workflows.

Why it matters:
  • Simplify common DBA tasks
  • Reduce repetitive SQL-based administration
  • Give teams visual insight into database activity
  • Make administrative workflows easier to learn and use
03

From basic development to a complete database workspace

Aqua Data Studio brings development and administration together in one environment. Build and execute SQL, explore database objects, create and modify tables, compare schemas, work with data, analyze queries, build visualizations, and manage database environments without constantly moving between separate tools.

Why it matters:
  • Keep development and administration in one workspace
  • Reduce context switching
  • Give DBAs and developers access to the same database environment
  • Work from exploration through development and analysis
04

From limited modeling to visual database design

Data modeling is an important part of understanding and managing database environments.

Aqua Data Studio includes a visual ER Modeler that lets database professionals work with database structures graphically rather than relying exclusively on scripts and text-based definitions.

Use visual models to explore relationships, understand existing environments, and communicate database structures more effectively.
05

From one database ecosystem to a broader data strategy

Your database environment may start with Oracle, but it rarely stays there.

Organizations are increasingly supporting multiple relational databases, cloud platforms, analytics environments, and other data technologies.

With support for 40+ database platforms, Aqua Data Studio gives teams a database IDE that can grow with that environment.

Oracle today. PostgreSQL tomorrow. Multiple platforms along the way.

Aqua Data Studio provides a consistent place to work.
06

SQL Developer's traditional Oracle-focused experience no longer has to define how your database team works.

One of the biggest differences isn't a single feature. It's the product's direction.

Teams investing in a database IDE want a tool that evolves alongside database technologies, security requirements, cloud platforms, and modern development practices.

Aqua Data Studio is actively developed, with ongoing enhancements across database support, security, productivity, AI-assisted workflows, and database management capabilities.

Your database environment is evolving. Your database IDE should too.

Aqua Data Studio vs. SQL Developer

Capability Aqua Data Studio SQL Developer Classic
(Frozen)		 SQL Developer
VS Code Extension
Data Pump (Export/Import UI) ✓ Visual GUI ✓ Visual GUI ✕ Command-line via SQLcl
User & Security Management ✓ Visual, point-and-click ✓ Click-to-configure △ Stripped down / manual SQL
Instance / Session Monitoring ✓ Visual dashboards ✓ Full dashboards △ Limited
Storage Management ✓ Included ✓ Full diagnostics △ Reduced
Data Modeler (Drag-and-Drop ER) ✓ Full ER Modeler ✓ Full modeler ✕ Not included
Visual Table Creator ✓ Visual table editor ✓ Multi-tab dialogs △ Code-centric workflow
Multi-Database Support ✓ 40+ platforms ✕ Oracle only ✕ Oracle only
Active Feature Development ✓ Active ✕ Frozen ✓ Active

The bigger difference

The value isn't simply that Aqua Data Studio has comparable functionality. It's that ADS gives your database team a broader platform for the databases they already have and the databases they're likely to adopt next.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Aqua Data Studio provides that broader environment.

Instead of maintaining different tools for different database platforms, teams can standardize on one cross-platform database IDE for development, administration, modeling, and analysis.

Yes — connection, query, and admin tooling for Oracle is fully supported, plus the visual DBA and modeling tools Oracle is deprecating in its VS Code path.

No. Most teams run ADS alongside existing tools during evaluation, then consolidate once comfortable.

That's the main upside — one tool across Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and 35+ other platforms instead of juggling tool-specific clients.

Aqua Data Studio integrates with Git, SVN, CVS, and Perforce for shared version control, and its Enterprise Portal centralizes license and access management so DBAs, developers, architects, and analysts can work from the same governed environment.

Aqua Data Studio starts at $499 per user per year for the Standard edition, with an Ultimate edition at $699 per user per year for additional platform and feature coverage. A 14-day free trial is available, no credit card required.

No — that's the point of it. It covers 40+ platforms, including Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and Snowflake, from one interface, so the admin and modeling tools a team would otherwise lose in an Oracle-only migration carry over to every other database they manage.

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