Jam SQL Studio The Free Azure Data Studio Alternative
That Replaces ADS in 15 Minutes
Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio on February 28, 2026. Jam SQL Studio is an AI-native, cross-platform SQL IDE and a complete Azure Data Studio replacement with the features you need — IntelliSense, execution plans, schema compare, and a local MCP server (Model Context Protocol) for safe, policy-controlled agentic SQL workflows.
Free for personal use • No account required • Mac, Windows, Linux
“As an abandoned user of Azure Data Studio, I was left looking for a good replacement. I tried multiple options and JamSQL is my new go-to tool for SQL. It has everything I need and the development team at JamSQL has been super responsive to feedback with consistent product improvements!”
Azure Data Studio Retirement Timeline
Microsoft announced Azure Data Studio would be retired.
Recommended time to migrate. Test your workflows in Jam SQL Studio.
Last Azure Data Studio updates before retirement.
No more updates, support, or downloads available.
Polyglot Notebooks, part of the ADS ecosystem, also deprecated. Migration guide →
What's Happening to Azure Data Studio?
On February 6, 2025, Microsoft announced that Azure Data Studio would be retired on February 28, 2026. Azure Data Studio was retired on that date and no longer receives updates, security patches, or support.
Microsoft recommends users migrate to one of two alternatives:
VS Code + MSSQL Extension
+ Has execution plans
- No built-in charting
- Extension-based experience
SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio)
- No PostgreSQL support
- Heavy, slow startup
- Dated UI
Neither alternative fully replaces Azure Data Studio's combination of cross-platform support, modern UI, and advanced features like built-in charting and execution plan visualization.
Why Jam SQL Studio?
Jam SQL Studio was designed from the ground up to be the Azure Data Studio you wished existed:
- Cross-platform — Native apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux
- Modern UI — Dark mode first, smooth animations, responsive design
- Execution Plans — Visualize and compare query execution with tree and graph views
- Schema Compare — Compare and sync database schemas across connections
- Data Compare — Compare table data and generate sync scripts (not in ADS!)
- AI-Native Agent Tools — Local MCP server (Model Context Protocol) + skills for Claude Desktop / Claude Code, OpenCode, and Codex CLI
- Free Personal Tier — Core features free forever, no account required
Jam SQL Studio vs Azure Data Studio: Full Comparison
See how Jam SQL Studio compares to Azure Data Studio and Microsoft's recommended alternatives.
| Feature | Jam SQL Studio | Azure Data Studio | VS Code + MSSQL | SSMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | ✓ Active Development | ✗ Retired Feb 2026 | ✓ Active | ✓ Active |
| Cross-platform (Mac/Win/Linux) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ Windows only |
| AI-Native (MCP + Skills) | ✓ Built-in | ✗ | Limited | ✗ |
| Claude Code CLI Integrated | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Execution Plan Visualization | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Schema Compare | ✓ | ✓ Extension | ✗ | ✓ |
| Data Compare | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Via tools |
| Built-in Charting | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| SQL Server Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PostgreSQL Support | ✓ | ✓ | Extension | ✗ |
| Azure SQL Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SQL Notebooks | ✓ .ipynb | ✓ .ipynb | Extension | ✗ |
| Command Palette | ✓ + Object Search | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Modern UI / Dark Mode | ✓ Native | ✓ | ✓ | Classic |
| Free Tier | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
How to Migrate from Azure Data Studio
Moving from Azure Data Studio to Jam SQL Studio takes just a few minutes. Here's everything you need to know to make the switch.
Download Jam SQL Studio
Download Jam SQL Studio for your operating system (macOS, Windows, or Linux) and install it. No account required — the app is ready to use immediately.
Re-create Your Database Connections
Open Jam SQL Studio and add your SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or Azure SQL connections. Use the same server addresses and credentials from Azure Data Studio. Supports SQL authentication, Windows auth, and Microsoft Entra ID.
Transfer Your SQL Scripts
Copy your .sql query files from your Azure Data Studio workspace to any folder on your computer. Open them directly in Jam SQL Studio — they work exactly the same way, with full IntelliSense support.
Explore New Features
Discover capabilities beyond Azure Data Studio: AI workspace sync for coding agents, data compare, visual schema overview, and more. Use familiar keyboard shortcuts from Azure Data Studio.
Start your migration today — no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Azure Data Studio retirement and migrating to Jam SQL Studio.
What is happening to Azure Data Studio?
Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio on February 28, 2026, as announced on February 6, 2025. There are no more updates, security patches, or support. Microsoft recommends migrating to the VS Code MSSQL extension or SSMS.
Why is Azure Data Studio being deprecated?
Microsoft is consolidating their SQL tooling. Rather than maintaining Azure Data Studio as a separate product, they are focusing development efforts on the VS Code MSSQL extension and SSMS. This follows a broader industry trend of building database tools as extensions rather than standalone applications.
Is Jam SQL Studio a good Azure Data Studio replacement?
Yes! Jam SQL Studio is designed to be a complete Azure Data Studio replacement. It includes all the core features you rely on — IntelliSense, execution plans, schema compare, built-in charting — plus modern capabilities like AI agent support and data compare. It works on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
How do I migrate from Azure Data Studio?
Migration takes just a few minutes:
- Download Jam SQL Studio for your platform
- Re-create your database connections using the same credentials
- Copy your .sql files to any folder
- Open and run them in Jam SQL Studio
Your scripts work exactly the same way, and keyboard shortcuts are familiar from Azure Data Studio.
Does Jam SQL Studio support Azure SQL Database?
Yes! Jam SQL Studio fully supports Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance. It also supports Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) authentication using device code flow, which is MFA-friendly and includes persistent token caching.
Is Jam SQL Studio free like Azure Data Studio?
Jam SQL Studio offers a free Personal tier that includes unlimited connections, IntelliSense, query execution, table explorer, and basic charting — all the core features you need. Pro features like AI workspace sync and advanced execution plan analysis are available through subscription ($12/mo or $99/yr).
What features does Jam SQL Studio have that Azure Data Studio doesn't?
Jam SQL Studio includes several features not found in Azure Data Studio:
- Local MCP server (Model Context Protocol) — Use Jam SQL Studio as a tool from Claude Desktop / Claude Code, OpenCode, or Codex CLI
- AI safety policies — Control what agents can do (block/confirm/allow) with strict read-only defaults
- AI workspace integration — Query tabs sync to .sql files with auto-generated context
- Data Compare — Compare table data and generate sync scripts
- Visual Schema Overview — Interactive graph visualization of your database schema
When should I migrate from Azure Data Studio?
We recommend migrating as soon as possible. Azure Data Studio was retired on February 28, 2026 and no longer receives updates. Take time to verify your workflows, re-create any custom snippets, and get familiar with Jam SQL Studio's interface.
Is Azure Data Studio end of life?
Yes. Azure Data Studio has reached end of life. Microsoft announced on February 6, 2025 that Azure Data Studio would be retired on February 28, 2026. It no longer receives updates, security patches, or support. Jam SQL Studio is a complete replacement with additional AI-native features.
Has Azure Data Studio been discontinued?
Yes. Microsoft announced on February 6, 2025 that Azure Data Studio was being discontinued. It was fully retired on February 28, 2026. Microsoft recommends migrating to the VS Code MSSQL extension or SSMS, but Jam SQL Studio offers a more complete cross-platform replacement with AI agent support.
Is Azure Data Studio deprecated?
Yes. Azure Data Studio was deprecated and retired by Microsoft on February 28, 2026 as part of their SQL tooling consolidation. The product no longer receives updates or security patches. Jam SQL Studio is designed as a drop-in replacement with modern AI-native capabilities.
Can I use my Azure Data Studio keyboard shortcuts?
Yes! Jam SQL Studio uses familiar keyboard shortcuts from Azure Data Studio and SSMS. Common shortcuts like Ctrl+Enter (execute query), Ctrl+Space (IntelliSense), and Ctrl+Shift+E (execute selected) work the same way.
How do I get support for Jam SQL Studio?
For support, contact us at [email protected]. Personal tier users get email support, Pro subscribers get priority email support with faster response times, and Enterprise customers get dedicated account management.
Ready to Migrate from Azure Data Studio?
Download Jam SQL Studio free and make the switch before the February 2026 deadline.
Comparing Other SQL Tools?
See how Jam SQL Studio compares to other popular database tools.
Further reading: ADS retirement 2026 status · Which ADS replacement to pick · Export ADS connections · SSMS alternatives for Mac · Polyglot Notebooks deprecated · ADS migration guide