SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 21 took a leap forward: finally 64-bit, with a rudimentary dark mode and basic Git integration. Yet it still leaves many daily annoyances unresolved. The community offers free add-ins that fill those gaps. Here are five standout SSMS 21 extensions (all with free editions) that can turbocharge your workflow in 2025.
Table of Contents
1. Accelerate T-SQL Coding with dbForge SQL Complete (Express)
What It Does: Speeds up SQL coding with smarter IntelliSense, code completion, and on-the-fly formatting.
Why It Matters: Writing T-SQL by hand is tedious and error-prone. SQL Complete catches your intent and auto-suggests object names, JOIN clauses, and snippets as you type. For example, start a SELECT and it lists relevant table names; hit Tab and it inserts the full name. It also stores a history of your queries, so you can quickly pull up that complex query you ran yesterday without digging through scripts.
SSMS 21 Built-In vs. This Add-in: SSMS's native IntelliSense is minimal; it completes basic keywords and object names but misses advanced context. It will not suggest entire JOIN conditions or automatically format sloppy code. SQL Complete bridges that gap with context-aware suggestions and customizable SQL formatting rules. In short, SSMS 21 provides the idea of IntelliSense; this plugin provides the real deal with richer completions and formatting polish.
Free vs. Paid: The Express edition of SQL Complete is free and covers core features like autocompletion, basic formatting, and query history. This alone is a huge upgrade over stock SSMS. The paid Professional edition unlocks advanced perks like a T-SQL code analyzer for best practices, more formatting profiles, and deep code refactoring options. Express makes coding faster; Pro adds code-quality tools on top.
Getting Started: Download the plugin from Devart's site and install it. Once enabled, open SSMS; SQL Complete replaces the native IntelliSense automatically.
2. Give SSMS a Complete Dark Mode with SQL Shades
What It Does: Delivers a full, consistent dark theme across SSMS.
Why It Matters: A coherent dark interface cuts glare, lowers eye strain, and keeps focus. SQL Shades applies one palette to code, grids, designers, editors, dialogs, etc., and lets you adjust to taste. One calm, unified workspace.
SSMS 21 Built-In vs. This Add-in: SSMS 21 includes a modern dark theme. It still does not theme every dialog or editor view; some areas revert to jarringly light backgrounds. SQL Shades themes those neglected areas and smooths out inconsistencies. While Microsoft continues to iterate, SQL Shades gives you a complete dark UI and extra customization today.
Free vs. Paid: SQL Shades is free to use and gives you a solid dark theme that covers the whole app. There is also a Pro upgrade (one-time purchase) that adds multiple hand-tuned themes and advanced customization options. The free version already delivers a single, clean dark theme across SSMS.
Getting Started: Download from sqlshades.com and run the installer. Restart SSMS; the extension applies the dark theme everywhere.
3. Instantly Find SQL Code with Redgate SQL Search
What It Does: Finds any text or object across your databases in seconds, inside SSMS.
Why It Matters: Database code tends to sprawl. Need to see every stored procedure that references a table or column? Or locate where a view contains the string "CreditLimit"? Manually opening object definitions or using INFORMATION_SCHEMA is slow. SQL Search indexes your database schema and lets you query it like a search engine. Type a table name and it shows all functions, views, and procedures that reference it. You can jump to any result instantly. This saves hours when performing impact analysis.
SSMS 21 Built-In vs. This Add-in: SSMS has limited search capability. You can search within the current query window or apply rudimentary filtering in Object Explorer, but there is no global search across object definitions. SQL Search fills the void by searching within stored procedures, views, and functions across one or multiple databases. It supports simple wildcards when you are not sure of exact names. It provides the "Find in database" button Microsoft forgot to add.
Free vs. Paid: SQL Search is completely free. Redgate keeps it updated. There is no paid Pro version of SQL Search; you get all features without limitation.
Getting Started: Download from Redgate's site or the SSMS extensions gallery. It adds a toolbar in SSMS. Click the icon or press the shortcut, enter a search term, and run it. Double-click a result to open it.
4. Smarter Tabs and Safer Queries with SSMS Boost
What It Does: Adds productivity features; auto‑saving query tabs, coloring connections, and guarding against accidental data wipes.
Why It Matters: SSMSBoost addresses a collection of pain points. Ever lost open query tabs because SSMS crashed or you closed without saving? SSMSBoost can reopen your last session, including unsaved scripts, so you can pick up where you left off. Worried about running a DELETE without a WHERE clause on production? SSMSBoost's Fatal Actions Guard prompts for confirmation if it detects a dangerous DML (like an unconditional UPDATE or a TRUNCATE). It also brings quality‑of‑life improvements: Connection tabs can be color‑coded beyond the tiny status‑bar stripe SSMS provides, so a PROD server's queries might have a red tint across the tab.
SSMS 21 Built‑In vs. This Add-in: SSMS has basics like a colored status bar, colored tabs based on file name or project only, and limited autorecovery. It is nowhere near what SSMSBoost offers. SSMSBoost can restore entire sessions with content, search within the results grid, and script results to Excel or JSON via its Results Grid Scripter. It also supports simple macros and custom shortcuts. SSMS alone will not warn you if you execute TRUNCATE TABLE in the wrong environment; SSMSBoost will. It supercharges SSMS with modern IDE comforts and safety nets.
Free vs. Paid: SSMSBoost is available as a Community (free) edition and a Professional edition. The Community build expires every 120 days and must be re-downloaded. It delivers core features -- session restore, tab coloring, and find in results grid -- but omits Pro‑only modules such as important database alerts, post-execution notifications, and workspaces. It also limits you to two Preferred Connections. The Pro edition removes those limits and provides a permanent license key with support and updates.
Getting Started: Download the installer from ssmsboost.com and choose the free Community license. Use the new menu to explore features.
5. Real Database Source Control in SSMS with VersionSQL
What It Does: Brings source control for database code into SSMS.
Why It Matters: Proper version control for database objects is often an afterthought. DBAs end up with manual scripts or skip versioning altogether. VersionSQL lets you check tables, stored procedures, and views into Git or Subversion from Object Explorer. Multiple developers can commit changes and pull updates with a history of every change. If a change breaks something, you can restore its previous version from inside SSMS.
SSMS 21 Built‑In vs. This Add-in: SSMS 21 introduced file-level Git integration as a basic hook for connecting SSMS to repositories. SSMS does not script database objects or track schema changes automatically. VersionSQL automates that. It lives inside Object Explorer and generates scripts for objects with one click or on a schedule, then commits them. It handles ignoring irrelevant changes such as whitespace and works with both Git and SVN. SSMS's native Git is fine for ad‑hoc scripts; VersionSQL provides a workflow for database change management.
Free vs. Paid: VersionSQL offers a full‑feature trial and a free mode for use on local SQL Server Express instances. A paid license unlocks use against Standard and Enterprise editions and includes updates and support. That license is a one‑time purchase per user.
Getting Started: Install from versionsql.com. After installation, connect a database to a repository and run a full commit to generate scripts and save the database code to version control.
Closing Thoughts: SSMS 21 may be the newest SSMS, but it does not have to work alone. These plugins -- from smarter IntelliSense to a complete dark theme and integrated source control -- make SSMS more effective. Mix and match them without spending a dime up front. If you are serious about productivity in SQL development, give them a try!