Is Devart falling short on essential safeguards in your needs for secure and reliable SQL data management? Many teams have looked for alternatives to Devart’s Excel add-ins because of security limitations and lagging performance. Plenty of these users found SQL Spreads to be an excellent alternative, highlighting its intuitive approach to role-based permissions and faster bulk updates.
Below, we’ll discuss the top 5 Devart Excel add-in competitors this year and why SQL Spreads stands out.
Why look for alternatives to Devart Excel add-ins?
Devart’s Excel add-ins form part of a larger ecosystem of their database and development tools. The Excel add-ins, available in packages to manage data in databases and cloud applications, are simple tools useful for basic functions.
While these products allow for data import and basic manipulation, connecting to several different databases, organizations often discover significant gaps in critical areas. This is when it’s time to start getting to know the competitors, to find useful alternatives.
Key limitations that have Devart users looking for other options
- Limited permissions
Devart’s basic Excel add-ins lack role-based permissions, making it difficult to restrict who can change data. - No built-in access control
There is no way to internally restrict database table access or block unauthorized users from configuring the add-in. To limit who can view data or set up Devart’s Excel add-in, the designer must rely on SMSS-level controls and permissions directly. - Minimal data integrity safeguards
Without built-in auditing, there’s no straightforward way to trace unwanted changes. - Unintuitive setup and interface
Setup requires using their Visual Query Builder (or manual setup), which can be intimidating for users without a development background. - Unclear and potentially high pricing
You pay a full license fee for each user—whether they’re simply entering data or configuring queries. Costs can escalate quickly for larger teams. - Performance hurdles with large datasets
Some users note sluggish performance when processing bulk changes, leading to wasted time.
Real user feedback:
Devart Excel Add-In alternatives in this article:
Don’t have time to read this article? Spend just one minute on this video instead to find out why SQL Spreads is the Devart alternative for you
1. SQL Spreads: the most intuitive Excel-based solution
SQL Spreads is purpose-built to make it easier to update SQL Server data through Excel. From its inception, it has prioritized making it easier to use for business users who need direct, hassle-free data editing, while still providing powerful functionality and several ways to safeguard data.
Why choose SQL Spreads instead of Devart Excel add-ins?
- Easy role-based permissions
Built-in Designer and Editor roles let you decide exactly who can edit data and configurations, securing sensitive information. - Simple setup
Instead of a complex Visual Query Builder, SQL Spreads offers a straightforward configuration wizard that anyone can use, to be up and running in minutes. - Robust auditing features
Changes are automatically logged when using the Change Tracking feature, and each edit can be tied back to the specific user who made it. - Faster updates for larger datasets
SQL Spreads handles bulk loads more efficiently than most Excel add-ins – including Devart’s – significantly cutting down on waiting time. Advanced features, such as the Tree Filters, improve performance dramatically. - Transparent, cost-effective pricing
You can connect to multiple SQL Server databases on one plan, with reduced pricing for Editor users, avoiding expensive add-on costs for each user or data source.
You’re in good company
2. CData: broad integrations for tech-savvy users
CData Connect Spreadsheets is known for integrating with over 250 systems, from major databases to specialized SaaS apps. Its strengths compared to Devart lie in rich customization and developer-oriented features, but the tool may prove too complicated for low-tech users – and too pricey for those who want the customization.
Pros
- Extensive data source support: connect to a large number of database types and cloud services.
- Advanced query customization: skilled users can tailor queries in detail, leveraging SQL-like options.
Cons
- Complex for business users: many find the complicated interface geared toward developers, making it less intuitive for business users.
- Potentially prohibitive pricing: The subscription model charges based on connections, queries, and users, which can quickly grow expensive.
3. Power Query: an Excel native for data transformation
Microsoft Power Query is integrated with both Excel and Power BI, providing a simple interface for data extraction and transformation tasks. Like Devart’s Excel add-ins, Power Query offers basic functionality for non-tech team members and is easy to learn, but struggles to go beyond that.
Pros
- Built into Excel: no additional installation is required.
- Ease of transformation: users can clean, merge, and format data visually without writing code.
Cons
- Limited data write-back capability: Power Query focuses on getting data into Excel, not sending changes back to the source reliably.
- No granular permissions: it does not include role-based security or advanced auditing for monitoring changes.
- Data security concerns: Power Query may not provide sufficient data security features for sensitive information, especially when integrating with external sources.
Are you worried Devart can’t limit access to your database for business users editing data? SQL Spreads safeguards your data with clear permission roles for developers and users, along with change tracking and auditing for complete data integrity.
4. Azure Data Studio: developer-oriented but lightweight
Azure Data Studio (ADS) is an open-source, cross-platform database environment for SQL. It’s popular among those seeking a lightweight alternative to SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), such as those only needing to write queries, but negative reviews about lack of functionality and frequent bugs abound. If you’re looking to leave Devart because of limited functionality, ADS is probably not your best choice.
Pros
- Multiple operating system compatibility: ADS can run on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Built-in notebooks: possibility to combine queries and visualizations in one interactive interface.
Cons
- Geared toward technical users: it can be daunting for non-developers and business users without coding skills to maneuver Azure Data Studio’s professional grade environment.
- Limited data-editing safeguards: similar to Devart, few permissions or version-control features are natively available.
- Stability issues: Performance lags, bugs, and crashes have been reported, a risk many teams cannot afford to take.
5. SQL Server Management Studio: the developer option
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is Microsoft’s official integrated environment for managing SQL Server databases. It offers a comprehensive suite of developer and administrator tools, most useful for high tech users and database professionals.
Pros
- No license cost: one big upside compared to Devart is that SSMS is free, which can significantly reduce overhead.
- Full control over SQL Server: users can run detailed queries, manage databases, and troubleshoot performance issues.
Cons
- Complicated for business users: Business users who rely on Excel’s familiar layout often struggle with the unfamiliar interface of SSMS and may find its professional-grade features difficult to navigate, as they typically require coding skills to fully utilize.
- Performance issues: Users mention excessively slow load times, especially for bulk uploads.
Easy comparison of Devart competitors for SQL data
| Devart Excel Add-In | SQL Spreads | CData Excel Add-In | Power Query | Azure Data Studio | SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) | |
| Bulk update performance | Slow | Quite fast incl. Tree Filter feature | Slow | Updates not recommended | Extremely slow, especially with large sets | Can be slower when updating larger datasets |
| Safeguard Data Integrity | Limited | Robust | Limited | Updates not recommended | Robust | Robust |
| Target Audience | Business users | Business users | Developer/technical role | Business Users | Developer/technical role | Developer/technical role |
| Ease of Use | Easy | Easy | Not as intuitive as the others | Updates not recommended | Not intuitive | Steep learning curve |
| Cost Effectiveness | Moderate, depending on requirements | High | Moderate to Low | High when already using Excel/Power BI | High (free) | High (free) |
Which Excel add-in or tool should you choose?
In the end, Devart’s Excel add-ins might work for smaller projects or Devart-centric environments, but many teams need more robust permission management, faster performance, and more effective functionality. SQL Spreads is specifically designed to fill these gaps with features like role-based permissions, built-in auditing, and an easy-to-use interface.
If your team is more developer-focused or requires many varied connections, for simpler functions or smaller datasets, you might consider solutions such as CData Connect Spreadsheets or Azure Data Studio. A top competitor, Power Query, is too limited for teams looking to import data into SQL Server, but it may be suitable for those working solely with extracting and preparing data.
SQL Spreads: The leading Devart Excel Add-In alternative
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your team’s needs, technical expertise, and budget. If you want an intuitive, powerful, and safe solution for managing SQL data, specifically with the business user in mind, SQL Spreads stands out.
Setting up is as quick as a click, and your team can be up and running in less than an hour.
Don’t believe SQL Spreads will have your team seamlessly working with SQL data in no time? (Without creating a pile of tickets for your IT Department)
Try it yourself – 14 days for free
Want to learn more? Read about SQL Spreads features here, or contact us with your questions.
