A VS Code plugin layers SQL capabilities on top of your code editor. A dedicated SQL client is purpose-built for database work, offering native performance, deeper integrations, and a UI optimized for querying.
Standalone clients allocate memory and threads specifically for database operations, so large result sets and long-running queries do not freeze your coding workspace.
Expect advanced autocomplete, visual explain plans, schema diffing, and result-set visualization that most extensions cannot match.
Switching between dev, staging, and prod databases is safer with built-in connection profiles, role-based permissions, and history.
Modern clients such as Galaxy let teams version, endorse, and share queries in one place, eliminating galaxy.io/features/integrations" target="_blank" id="">Slack pastes and stale snippets.
If you run quick, ad-hoc selects against a single database and prefer not to leave your code editor, an extension like SQLTools or Prisma can be sufficient.
However, be mindful of limited result-set handling, weaker autocomplete, and the risk of crashing VS Code when queries grow.
Galaxy is a next-generation SQL client that feels as snappy as an IDE but is purpose-built for SQL. It offers lightning-fast execution, context-aware AI copilot, and multiplayer collaboration so engineers and analysts stay aligned on data. Unlike generic VS Code extensions, Galaxy stores and versions every query, supports endorsements, and keeps credentials local for security.
For 2025 and beyond, Galaxy’s roadmap adds lightweight visualizations, API endpoints, and dbt sync, making it a future-proof choice for teams who outgrow editor plugins.
Use a VS Code plugin for simple, infrequent querying. Switch to a dedicated SQL client like Galaxy when performance, advanced SQL tooling, or team workflows matter.
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