What is best tool to compare two SQL Server databases (schema and data)?

I use schema and data comparison functionality built into the latest version Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 Community Edition (Free) or Professional / Premium / Ultimate edition. Works like a charm!

http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Visual-Studio/Launch-2013/VS108

Red-Gate's SQL data comparison tool is my second alternative:

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• http://www.red-gate.com/products/sql-development/sql-compare/
• http://www.red-gate.com/products/sql-development/sql-data-compare/

I like Open DBDiff.

While not the most complete tool, it works great, it's free, and it's very easy to use.

I am using Red-Gate's software: http://www.red-gate.com

I'm partial to AdeptSQL. It's clean and intuitive and it DOESN'T have the one feature that scares the hell out of me on a lot of similar programs. One giant button that it you push it will automatically synchronize EVERYTHING without so much as a by-your-leave. If you want to sync the changes you have to do it yourself and I like that.

dbghost is the best i have used to date. one of the best features i have seen is that it will generate SQL code to go between versions of a database based on the SQL you keep in source control, as well as a database. simple and easy to use.

I've used SQL Delta before (http://www.sqldelta.com/), it's really good. Not free however, not sure how prices compare to Red-Gates

Database Workbench can made it too

http://www.upscene.com/products.dbw.index.php

Cross database development

Use the Schema Compare and Migration Tools to compare testing and deployed databases, migrate existing databases to different database systems.

you can also made it with database Comparer

http://www.clevercomponents.com/products/dbcomparer/dbcomparer.asp

I use it for Firebird and it works well.

We are using an inhouse developed solution that is basicly a procedure with arguments of what you want included in the comparision (SP's, Full SP code, table structure, defaults, indices, triggers.. etc)

Depending on your needs and budget, it might be a good way to go for you as well.

It is quite easily developed as well, then we just redirect output of procedure to textfiles and do text comparisions between the files.

One good thing about it is that its possible to save the output in source control.

/B

I've used Red Gate's tools and they are superb. However, if you can't spend any money you could try Open DBDiff to compare schemas.