vsThe best Azure Data Studio alternative for Mac
Microsoft retired Azure Data Studio in February 2026, so its users need a new tool. FluentDB is a native, AI-first Mac database client. Here is how it compares.
Updated August 2026
By Kevin Piacentini, Software Engineer & Founder of FluentDBAzure Data Studio is done. Microsoft officially retired it on February 28, 2026, with no more updates or security fixes, and points people to Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension instead. That works, but it turns your database tool into a code editor with an add-on.
FluentDB is a dedicated, native macOS database client with an AI co-pilot. If you liked Azure Data Studio's cross-platform, modern feel but do not want to live inside VS Code, it is a natural landing spot, and it connects to more than just SQL Server.
FluentDB vs Azure Data Studio at a glance
| Feature | FluentDB | |
|---|---|---|
| Still supported | Yes, active | Retired Feb 2026, no updates |
| Dedicated DB client | Yes, purpose-built | Successor is VS Code + extension |
| Native macOS app | Apple Silicon native | Was cross-platform |
| Built-in AI co-pilot | AI-first, bring your own key | Copilot extension, now moot |
| Databases | SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite | SQL Server, Postgres via extension |
| Price | One-time from $54 | Was free |
It is retired, and the replacement is a code editor
Clear win: FluentDBMicrosoft retired Azure Data Studio on February 28, 2026. The app still opens because it is installed locally, but it receives no updates or security patches, so staying on it is a growing risk.
Microsoft's recommended path is Visual Studio Code plus the MSSQL extension. That is fine if you want to work in a code editor, but it is not a dedicated database client. FluentDB is, and it is native to your Mac.
More than SQL Server, in one native app
Clear win: FluentDBAzure Data Studio centered on SQL Server, with Postgres and others through extensions. FluentDB connects to SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite out of the box, so the same native app covers your whole stack without hunting for extensions.
AI built in, not an add-on
Clear win: FluentDBAzure Data Studio's AI came through a GitHub Copilot extension that needed a Copilot subscription, and it is moot now that the app is retired. FluentDB is AI-first: ask in plain English, get SQL against your real schema, and bring your own model with your own key or a local one through Ollama.
Pricing, side by side
Azure Data Studio was free but is retired. FluentDB is a one-time purchase that is actively maintained.
| FluentDB | ||
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active From $54 one-time, maintained Better value Azure Data Studio is retired | Retired $0 no updates since Feb 2026 |
| Ongoing | Updates Included first year, then optional Better value Still supported and updated | None n/a no more updates |
Azure Data Studio was a free Microsoft tool, retired on February 28, 2026 with no further updates. FluentDB is a one-time purchase from $54, actively maintained. Verified against Microsoft Learn, August 2026.
The honest trade-off
Why developers pick FluentDB
- Actively maintained, unlike a retired tool with no more security fixes.
- A dedicated native Mac database client, not a code editor with an extension.
- Connects to SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite in one app.
- AI built in, with your own key or a local model through Ollama.
- One-time price, no subscription, with a 14-day refund.
Where Azure Data Studio still leads
- Was free.
- Was cross-platform, with notebooks and a familiar VS Code feel.
- Its successor path (VS Code + MSSQL extension) suits people who prefer to work in an editor.
When to stay in the Microsoft path instead
If you are happy living in Visual Studio Code and want the official Microsoft route, the MSSQL extension is a reasonable successor to Azure Data Studio, and it is free.
If you want a dedicated, native Mac database client that is actively maintained, connects to more than SQL Server, and has AI built in, FluentDB is the one to try.
Frequently asked questions
Is Azure Data Studio discontinued?
Yes. Microsoft officially retired Azure Data Studio on February 28, 2026. It no longer receives updates or security fixes, and Microsoft recommends Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension instead.
What is the best Azure Data Studio alternative for Mac?
If you want a dedicated native database client rather than a code editor, FluentDB is a strong choice: it is native to macOS, connects to SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite, and has an AI co-pilot built in.
Is FluentDB free like Azure Data Studio was?
No. FluentDB is a one-time purchase from $54 with no subscription, but it is actively maintained, where Azure Data Studio is retired. There is a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Does FluentDB run on Windows or Linux?
Not yet. FluentDB is macOS only and native to Apple Silicon. For Windows, Microsoft's VS Code plus the MSSQL extension is the official Azure Data Studio successor.
Try FluentDB on your Mac
Moving off Azure Data Studio? Try a native, AI-first Mac client that connects to SQL Server, Postgres, MySQL, and SQLite. One-time from $54, 14-day refund.