Head-to-head · SQL Linters and Formatters
SQL Enlight vs SQL Formatter
SQL Enlight leads on 0 checks, SQL Formatter on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreSQL Enlight · 8.6/10
- Free trialonly SQL Enlight
- Most featuresSQL Enlight · 5 of 5
SQL Enlight scores higher on our rubric for sql linters and formatters: 8.6 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.
SQL Enlight is the better fit for SQL Server teams needing analysis and refactoring. SQL Formatter is the better fit for developers needing broad SQL formatting APIs.
- SQL Enlight fits best
SQL Server teams needing analysis and refactoring
- SQL Formatter fits best
Developers needing broad SQL formatting APIs
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Side by side
| Feature | SQL Enlight 8.6/10 Visit ↗ | SQL Formatter 8.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.6 | 8.3 |
| Ranking | #4 in SQL Linters and Formatters | #6 in SQL Linters and Formatters |
| Best for | SQL Server teams needing analysis and refactoring | Developers needing broad SQL formatting APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | 14-day trial | Open source |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Cloud, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Windows | Web |
| Support | Email, Docs | Docs, Community |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 4 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features SQL Enlight 5/5 · SQL Formatter 3/5 | ||
| Automatic fixes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom rules | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Editor extensions | ✓ | ✓ |
| CI/CD integration | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Configuration file | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported SQL dialects | T-SQL | Standard SQL, BigQuery, ClickHouse, IBM DB2, IBM DB2i, DuckDB, Apache Hive, MariaDB, MySQL, TiDB, Couchbase N1QL, Oracle PL/SQL, PostgreSQL, Amazon Redshift, SingleStoreDB, Snowflake, Spark, SQLite, SQL Server Transact-SQL, Trino/Presto |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | SQL Enlight is a Windows-based tool for SQL Server developers, database professionals, and build environments working with T-SQL. It combines static code and database analysis with SQL formatting, automatic fixes, and refactoring. The… Read the review → |
SQL Formatter is an open-source JavaScript library and command-line tool for pretty-printing SQL queries. It is aimed at developers who need consistent formatting across applications, scripts, editors, or browser-based workflows. The… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
SQL Enlight — where it wins
- Combines T-SQL analysis, formatting, autofix, and refactoring
- Supports custom XPath/XSLT rules and configurable analysis
- Connects IDEs, command-line workflows, CI, and automation APIs
Where it doesn't
- Runs on Windows only
- Focused on T-SQL rather than multiple SQL dialects
- Paid product, with a 14-day free trial
SQL Formatter — where it wins
- Supports 20 named SQL dialects, from Standard SQL to Trino/Presto
- Offers JavaScript, CLI, browser, editor, and Prettier usage options
- Supports autofix, project configuration, and prepared-statement placeholders
Where it doesn't
- Focuses on formatting rather than full SQL linting
- Development is in maintenance mode, with new features unlikely
- Some workflows require JavaScript, CLI, or editor integration setup
- SQL Enlight8.6/10 · 14-day trial
A Windows toolkit for analyzing, formatting, fixing, and refactoring T-SQL.
Visit SQL EnlightFull verdict → - SQL Formatter8.3/10 · Open source
A broad SQL formatter with strong integration options, but limited linting depth.
Visit SQL FormatterFull verdict →
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All SQL linters and formatters comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update


