# WinSQL Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Is WinSQL the right Database solution for you? Explore 29 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/182894/WinSQL/reviews --- WinSQL 4.4 (29) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/182894/WinSQL/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Reviews of WinSQL Ease of use 4.6 Customer Service 4.3 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 29 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Deepak M. Senior Engineer - Product Development Information Technology and Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Handy and light weight database administration tool" February 29, 2020 5.0 I started using winsql so as to connect multiple databases like oracle and db2.I required to configure odbc in order to make it work. Overall it was satisfactory to work on it. Pros 1\. Easy to connect to different databases like db2, oracle etc. 2. Easy to get reports and extracts out of databases. 3.Light-weight application Cons 1\. Connection through IP address is not possible. 2 .It is not available for Mac OS 3. Sometimes it hangs and closes automatically during heavy queries. Review Source DS Danny S. President/CTO Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Awesome Database Tool" February 27, 2019 5.0 I have been using WinSQL for many years, and unlike people, it just gets better with age. I'm a big believer in the product, and it has always performed very well regardless of which DB I'm using. It is a great tool for prototyping, development and production platforms. It has way more features than any of the free DB-specific browser/query tools, and now it even has its own data specific plug-in ODBC drivers. As a developer, having one tool to master and use against a variety of DB products, has saved me many hours over the years that I could put toward other phases of development instead of spending time on DB schema, query, stored procedure building and other issues. As an end-user tool, I have never found anything users liked better than WinSQL. Because of its ease of use, it takes the fear of complexity out of learning to use a query and reporting tool. Pros Among the many great features of WinSQL, the one that stands out the most is it ease of use. From setting up a DSN to creating and executing a query, WinSQL makes it so easy that I have been able to quickly train non-IT users how to run their own queries and reports. By enabling users to do so much with the tool, it really reduces the requests and workload for IT. Its ease of use also means new developers have a tool they can use to quickly check DB results from running their development programs in a test mode, or to quickly populate a table with test data to use for testing their program's DB I/O, either using WinSQL's Test Data Generation Wizard, or simply writing a quick INSERT group of records, and doing it manually. It is such a versatile tool with so many great features, it is hard to say which is my favorite. It all depends on what I'm doing in my development work, then whatever WinSQL feature I'm using, becomes my favorite. That is what makes it such an awesome database tool, its breadth of features! Cons About the only thing I don't find very useful is the Task Scheduler. That is only because I have always used a different scheduler. So it isn't that I like it the least, it is just the feature I use the least. I can't think of anything I don't like about the tool. Review Source JG John G. Database Management Team Leader Broadcast Media Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WinSQL is now banned on SAP IQ" February 28, 2019 1.0 It’s a shame we had to ban it. Although very slow to start on a large Datawarehouse, it had a good user interface and searching for objects was better than the tools provided by SAP. Pros Easy to use, good catalogue of objects, but this has caused massive problems Cons WinSQL on SAP IQ multiplex with 60,000 objects has been causing significant degradation in performance. The background refresh even caused outages on busy days. Since it was banned, we have seen performance gains and stability of the IQ service has improved. Review Source NM Nathaniel M. Customer Program Analyst Utilities Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WinSQL is a great tool for developing web tools" February 27, 2019 4.0 During the 30 day trial, I was able to use the full version and I could do pretty much anything I needed to, including being able to explore the server stored procedures and find logic problems our vendor had introduced when programming the database. Currently, I still use it daily to pull information and compile reports and am very satisfied with it's performance. Pros I like that WinSQL has all the features needed to find information in most databases even if using the free version. I use it to connect to an Informix server while MS SQL server manager will not. Cons The restriction to a single server connection in the free version is an annoyance, but I understand it's incentive to purchase the full version. Review Source SD Shane D. IT administrator Financial Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Excellent, flexible SQL query tool" February 28, 2019 5.0 This is my go-to SQL query tool, and has been for many years. It does what it says. I do wish there were some better options for interface colors or theming, but it works well without that. Pros Very easy to setup to and use just about any database connections you’d need. Cons The interface looks a bit dated. If there are any auto-formatting features for sql code I haven’t found them. A mini-map for larger queries would also be helpful. Review Source Response from Synametrics Technologies March 6, 2019 Auto-formatting feature will be available in the upcoming version 12. CV Chris V. Sr. Industrial Engineer Warehousing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WinSQL the way to pull your data" February 28, 2019 4.0 Generally use it for adhoc data collection and the base to create user refresh able excel sheets. Pros I have medium level SQL skills. WinSQL is easy to use with no extra stuff. WinSQL never slows me down. I like the different tabs and the ability to keep the query on the session. Cons Hard to export large data sets (over 200k records) Review Source Response from Synametrics Technologies March 6, 2019 Chris, WinSQL should be able to export over 200K records. Could you please contact our support so we can investigate why is it not letting you do that. LB Leon B. Industrial engineer Semiconductors Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Queries with WinSQL" February 27, 2019 4.0 We have to constantly extract information form our DB2 databases. WinSQL is a fantastic tool to do so. Pros The lite version is very easy to install and easy to use and it's free! Cons With the new version, the software ask us frequently to reconnect. Secondly, maybe it's because I don't know how to do it but I'm not able to change the font size. I would also like to be able to remove the yellow area that pops up when you run a request. Review Source PH Patrick H. Application Integrator Transportation/Trucking/Railroad Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Why did I using MySQL" March 1, 2019 4.0 Pros Connection to each ODBC databases. Possibility to have query results in full page, in table or in text (for multiple select) Cons Since last version, it's impossible to do a search on a text result. Impossible to do a direct connection with a database (with IP adress) Review Source Response from Synametrics Technologies March 6, 2019 You should be able to connect to a database using just the host IP. That information is stored in the ODBC DSN. Contact our support if you need further help regarding this. KR Kevin R. Manager, Analytics and Informatics Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great tool for quick, on-the-fly analysis" December 5, 2019 5.0 Great tool for its usage as a quick and dirty tool for building and formatting queries on the fly. Pros Easy to connect to multiple database platforms; color coding and formatting are very helpful; logging history Cons Sometimes it pings the database to pull all tables to help retrieve a table or column name-- can take a while and slow things down; script DDL does not always work Reason for choosing WinSQL Mainly price and basic features needed Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Applications Analyst Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A simple SQL editor" March 3, 2019 5.0 I have used WinSQL for finding and fixing data errors in ERP systems: eg: Make items with no BOMs, BOMs where components are missing from item master etc. Pros Ease of use, and bundled ODBC drivers mean WinSQL is the easiest way to extract data from virtually any database. Cons The Free "Lite" version is missing some useful features, but that is what one would expect. Review Source GT Georgios T. ICS Security Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A handy tool for all uses" October 29, 2019 5.0 Great experience and I recommend this SW to all my colleagues for a daily use. Pros It's very easy to use and it doesn't require much of resources. In every use, we can obtain tips. It's very easy to search for WinSQL solutions related to our needs. Cons The pro version is the best for all people. The SQL Lite version is perfect for people with a good SQL knowledge. Review Source RC Richard C. Senior Developer Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WinSQL Review" February 27, 2019 4.0 I really like the software and have had very few problems with it. It's easy to install, easy to use, pretty fast and reliable. Pros Free to use. Easy to use. Reliable and fast. Cons On INFORMIX databases, it sorts the tables in the Catalog Details tab by owner. Owner is worthless and this make finding one table time consuming if you have over 1300 tables like we do. Review Source JA Joe A. Mgr Data Science Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WinSQL Champs" February 27, 2019 5.0 I have been using WinSQl for about 9 years and it has been a great choice. Each new version come with new innovative features. Keep it up Synametrics! Pros The product is affordable and is packed with many advanced features. You can schedule to run, you can create groupings / categories of sql Cons Not all data base drivers are supported. Review Source JJ Jay J. Technologist Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WinSQL - all databases in one place" February 28, 2019 5.0 I have used WinSQL for over 10 years. When I need a tool for querying - I download WinSQL and I'm ready to go. Pros If i'm thrown Informix, or MSSQL, or even Access data - I have a single query analyzer/enterprise mgmt tool that lets me connect to any of them. Cons I wish it were available on Mac OS, but it's not. Review Source DW Doug W. Senior Software Engineer Media Production Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Been Using it for years" October 29, 2019 5.0 I use it daily for database administration tasks, validation and verification and data extracts to Excel. Pros I can use multiple drivers from many different database types Cons I haven't really experienced any performance issues or bugs with this software. It has been solid for the 12 years I've used it Review Source BR Brian R. Portfolio Manageemnt Analyst Financial Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WIN SQL review" February 28, 2019 5.0 finding data for multiple solutions Pros easy to search multiple databases and have multiple queries open. Cons troubleshooting database connections and access can be difficult to navigate with the provided error messages Review Source AO Allan O. IT Implementation MANAGER Logistics and Supply Chain Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Winsql and Me" February 27, 2019 5.0 Scheduling of queries and distribution of basic reports to users Pros Winsql offers features over and above that of SSMS to a point where its my preferred querying tool. Its features to create scheduling and email tasks is great and the tool for creating executable queries is a real bonus Cons The one thing I can see that it really lacks is error prompting as SSMS has Review Source HM Herman M. Presidente Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Developer" February 28, 2019 4.0 We are developers and we need to be able to interact with different databases of the market, in many cases it has allowed us to migrate data to carry out our applications on the different entities Pros To be able to connect with multiple types of database Good tool for migration between databases Cons With winsql I can not connect directly with jdbc, as is done with the tool in java, should have in winsql the 2 options. Nowadays everyone connects with JDBC, it is a limitation Review Source Response from Synametrics Technologies March 6, 2019 You can connect to a JDBC datasource if you have a ODBC-JDBC bridge, which is developed by a few third-party companies. LE Levi E. Senior Support Specialist Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WinSQL review" February 27, 2019 4.0 Pros I like the ability to sort results by specific columns. Cons I would like the ability to remove columns that I do not want in my results. For example, if it returns nothing. Review Source LS Luis S. System Engineer Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 2+ years ### "My everyday app" March 1, 2019 4.0 I use it since v6.5 and it's my favourite app for the job Pros Versatility, fast for loading, lighter than SQL Managment Studio Cons lite features are annoying instead of restrictive Review Source MS Manish S. Analytics Insurance Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good Experience" February 28, 2019 4.0 I am quite happy. We deal with 3-4 different types of servers and WinSql comes quite handy Pros Ability to connect all types of servers, easy to use, export files easily Cons Some performance issues. Sometime Hang-up and then closes automatically Review Source SL Stephanie L. Analyst Market Research Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Data Storage" February 28, 2019 4.0 I have learned so much about the quality of company data using WinSQL. Overall, I'm pretty happy with this product Pros I work with a lot of data, so the vast amount I can store and work with is nice. Cons It times out all of the time and some of the user-friendly settings are hard to track down Review Source WH Wyatt H. Director of Technical Development Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "SQL made simple" March 1, 2019 4.0 I have used this tool for 15-20 years, great product. Pros lite software easy to use easy to setup great tool Cons I am having ha hard time putting anything here, it just works, you could say its simplicity is a con or a pro. Review Source lC lynda C. DB2 DBA Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 2+ years ### "WinSQL Easy to use" February 27, 2019 5.0 Pros Makes writing SQL super easy and getting the reports out of WinSQL is easy too. Cons I'm not the best at using the popup window with column names in it. Review Source AL Aaron L. Actuarial Analyst Insurance Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Pretty good product" October 29, 2019 5.0 Pros I like how it is very easy to use and learn. As a relatively new employee with limited experience, I did not have a hard time learning how to navigate WinSQL. Cons There are a couple of times where my sheets would freeze up and I am unable to access them without closing all my other open sheets. Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.