Oracle databases are many developers go-to databases for their renowned high performance and ability to handle demanding tasks. Oracle has developed a reputation for delivering reliable performance for users with hefty usage requirements.
If you haven’t got time to read the whole post, here’s our list of the 10 best tools for Oracle database:
- SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer for Oracle Database and query performance monitor.
- RedGate Deployment Suite for Oracle Database management tool with change management and schema compare/synchronization.
- Quest Toad for Oracle A database management tool for administrators with support for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, SAP, and MySQL.
- Aqua Data Studio An IDE for databases with data visualization and integration, with Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM Db2, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.
- dbForge Studio for Oracle IDE tool for Oracle developers who want to increase PL/SQL coding speed.
- Navicat for Oracle Oracle Development tool with SQL editing and data migration. Compatible with Amazon RDS and Oracle Cloud.
- RazorSQL SQL query tool and database browser for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Solaris.
- MyOra Free database monitoring tool with a SQL query feature that doesn’t require any installation or internet connection.
- TOra Open-source IDE for Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases. Available on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Unix.
- Altova DatabaseSpy Database query and design tool used for SQL editing with a graphical design editor.
The 10 Best tools for Oracle database
We base our selection criteria on performance, ease of use, cost and overall reliability.
1. SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer for Oracle
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer for Oracle is a performance monitor that provides 24/7 monitoring for Oracle databases. The tool delivers a top-down perspective that the user can use to discover the root cause of poor database performance. Factors you can measure include wait events, client machines, users, blocking, and more.
The alerts system that comes with SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is powered by anomaly detection. Anomaly detection uses machine learning to identify deviations from normal performance conditions. For example, if wait behavior slows down then the platform sends you an alert. You can choose between the preconfigured alerts available out-of-the-box or you can create your own custom ones instead.
For managing your database environment there is a Management API. Through the Management API, you can complete tasks such as starting up a monitor, annotating, registering and licensing. For further management activities, you can use the web interface to monitor code impact (including the impact of changes).
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is a reliable tool for monitoring database performance. SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer starts at a price of $2,045 (£1,579). You can download the 14-day free trial.
2. RedGate Deployment Suite for Oracle
RedGate Deployment Suite for Oracle is a tool designed for database administration, development, and deployment. The software can be deployed in minutes, after which you can compare databases schemas and tables. The user interface displays data in a row format so that you can easily locate out of sync data.
Through the command line feature, you can automate deployments. However, you don’t need to have code knowledge to update scripts. There is an integrated development environment (IDE) where you can tweak and interact with deployment scripts.
Notifications tell you when the schema changes or after discovering issues like dependencies. After receiving an alert you can then investigate further and view more detailed information, such as the database’s access history.
The price of RedGate Deployment Suite for Oracle depends on the number of users that you wish to support. Between 1-4 users the price is $1,755 (£1,355) per user but this drops to $1,509 for 5-9 users, and $1,420 (£1,096) per user for 10 plus users. You can download a 28-day free trial.
3. Quest Toad for Oracle
Quest Toad is a database management tool and code optimization tool for Oracle. The platform uses automation to eliminate administrative tasks like testing, script execution, schema comparisons, and reporting.
For example, the SQL optimization feature uses an algorithm, which automatically writes SQL statements so that they run faster. Similarly, PL/SQL code profiling displays performance bottlenecks so that developers can eliminate them.
Team coding enables multiple employees to access schema objects at the same time. Collaborating on code changes makes it easier to develop a high-performance database. There are also over 200 code review rules to make sure that employees enter high-quality code throughout the development process.
There are five versions of Quest Toad available to purchase: Base Edition, Pro Edition, Xpert Edition, Dev Edition, and DBA Edition. Prices range from $1,023.75 (£790.74) to $5,925 (£4,576) and depend on the additional features you require, including code-quality checks, automated SQL optimization, and database performance diagnostics. You can download a 30-day free trial.
4. Aqua Data Studio
Aqua Data Studio is a database management tool and IDE for Oracle with an onboard query tool. There is a drag-and-drop interface that you can use to move query results into worksheets to visualize them. These can then be dragged into a dashboard to build a custom database monitoring experience. Visualizations can be shared with other users to enhance collaboration.
The Visual Query Builder in Aqua Data Studio allows you to generate SQL statements from database tables. Statements can be generated inside one window. If you want to improve general performance, then you can use Visual Explain Plans, which show you a queries execution plan so you can tune it. There are plans for Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redshift, MariaDB, and more.
The scripting features offered by Aqua Data Studio are vast. There is a scripting development environment with open APIs you can use to automate administrative tasks and debug scripts. The scripting environment enables your team to work more productively and decreases the time it takes to deploy. There are also SQL debuggers for Oracle, SQL Server, ASE, and DB2 LUW to eliminate production issues quickly.
Aqua Data Studio is a solution that integrates well with companies looking to efficiently manage Oracle databases. You can purchase a 1-year subscription of the program for $499.00 (£385.30). You can download the 14-day free trial.
5. dbForge Studio for Oracle
devart dbForge Studio for Oracle is an IDE that helps coders to produce PL/SQL coding more efficiently. The user can write and format code with automatic code completion. The ‘smart formatter’ allows the user to format the PL/SQL syntax and language. There is also an onboard debugger to eliminate coding issues.
Another feature that helps save time during editing is code refactoring. Whenever you rename database objects code refactoring will automatically replace all references to the objects.
To support database management there is data comparison and synchronization. With the Schema Comparison Wizard, you can compare databases and snapshots before synchronizing them. Then you can use the Data Comparison Wizard to compare different datasets together.
There are three versions of dbForge Studio for Oracle available to purchase: Standard, Professional, and Enterprise. The Standard version costs $199.95 (£154.39) with a PL/SQL debugger and a query profiler. The Professional version costs $449.95 (£347.42) with a command-line interface and schema/data compare and sync.
The Enterprise version costs $649.95 (£501.85) with all features from the other versions plus a data generator and DB documenter. Here’s the download link.
6. Navicat for Oracle
Navicat for Oracle is a database management and development tool. With the intelligent database designer, the user can create and edit database objects. The Visual SQL Builder enables you to create and run SQL statements easily. The Code Completion and code snippet features then help the user to code more efficiently and correct errors as they go.
The platform is compatible with Amazon RDS and Oracle Cloud with support for local/remote servers. Database synchronization enables the user to update databases. You can then generate reports on an automated basis.
Navicat for Oracle is available on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. A perpetual license for Navicat for Oracle costs $699 (£539.63). There is 15% off for 5-9 licenses and 20% off for 10 plus licenses. You can download the 14-day free trial.
7. RazorSQL
RazorSQL is a database query tool for Oracle with syntax highlighting and administration capabilities. The SQL editor enables the user to run queries, edit SQL and PL/SQL scripts. There is support for over 20 different languages including SQL, PHP, Java, XML, and more.
Oracle Create Index can be used to create indexes in a visual format. The user selects the Index Name, Table Name, and Columns they want in the Index and then presses the Generate SQL button.
For managing databases, the platform has a browser where you can view database elements like tables, schemas, and functions. Similarly, there is a table creation tool that you can use to generate SQL for tables. The feature is useful because it speeds up the SQL code creation. The software also generates SQL for Oracle sequences, procedures, functions, and triggers.
RazorSQL is available to join Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. You can purchase a license for $99.95 (£79.95) per user, $96.95 (£76.95) for 2-9 users, $94.95 (£74.95) for 10-19 users, and 20 or more for $92.95 (£72.95) per user. You can download the 30-day free trial.
8. MyOra
MyOra is a free database monitoring tool for Oracle that measures performance in real-time. With MyOra you can monitor metrics like Wait Analysis, System Waits, DB Activity, Top 5 SQLs, and Top 5 Resource Using Sessions. The system displays performance data in a range of visual formats including bar charts, graphs, and pie charts.
The software has a number of database management features. For instance, there is a Schema Explorer where you can manage database objects including Indexes, Tables, Functions, Triggers, Packages, and more.
There is also an SQL Editor where you can write and execute SQL statements. Once you’ve run a segment you can view execution statistics to troubleshoot for performance issues. Syntax highlighting also helps you to navigate code.
MyOra doesn’t require any installation or an Oracle Client to function. The low cost of the freeware makes it ideal for enterprises who want to monitor an Oracle database on a budget. You can download the software for free.
9. TOra
TOra is an open-source database management solution that supports Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases. TOra comes with an SQL editor and debugger to assist with managing databases. In addition, there is code completion and SQL syntax highlighting to make SQL generation more efficient. You can even use a menu to select commonly used SQL code.
TOra is available for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and UNIX. TOra is a cost-effective database management solution for Oracle developers who want to use an open-source tool. You can download the software for free.
10. Altova DatabaseSpy
Altova DatabaseSpy is a database query and design tool for databases such as Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MariaDB, and SQL Server. There is a SQL Editor that allows you to execute SQL code and monitor the output. SQL statements are color-coded so that you can read through commands without getting lost.
The Design Editor enables you to edit database structures. Pull-down lists automatically adjust as you work. You can create tables and define relationships with other tables. When designing your database you can automatically generate SQL statements.
To give you a better perspective of database changes and query results Altova DatabaseSpy has visualization features like charts, graphs, and pie charts. Visual elements update in real-time so you can monitor queries. You can save charts in .jpg, png, .gif, and more.
There are two editions of Altova Database Design available to purchase: Altova DatabaseSpy 2020 Professional Edition and Altova DatabaseSpy 2020 Enterprise Edition. The Professional edition starts at $139.00. The Enterprise edition costs $189 with additional features like graphical displays. You download the 30-day free trial.
Choosing a tool for Oracle Database
For monitoring, we recommend SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer for Oracle. If you want a tool that makes the development process more efficient then RedGate Deployment Suite for Oracle is a reliable option. In environments where budget is a prime concern, there are low-cost and free alternatives like TOra.