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Best pgFormatter Alternatives in 2026

Free#3 of 25 in SQL Linters and FormattersCode Formatting Tools

The top pgFormatter alternatives are SQLFluff, Sqruff and SQL Enlight: 15 SQL linters and formatters our editors would look at instead of pgFormatter, in our ranking order.

8.8/10Editor score
Visit pgFormatter
pgFormatter8.8 Visit pgFormatter

pgFormatter: A configurable, open-source formatter for PostgreSQL-focused SQL workflows. Where it falls short: its strongest coverage is PostgreSQL and related SQL standards.

Switching from pgFormatter? For most sql linters and formatters buyers the best pgFormatter alternative is SQLFluff, built for teams needing broad SQL linting and CI workflows.

Why People Look for a pgFormatter Alternative

  • Its strongest coverage is PostgreSQL and related SQL standards
  • Configuration may require project or user configuration files
  • Does not include AI features

Quick Picks by What You Need

All 15 pgFormatter Alternatives, Ranked

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

  1. SQLFluff

    Best forTeams needing broad SQL linting and CI workflows

    • Better than pgFormatter:
    • Editor score 9.4 vs 8.8

    Configurable SQL linting with autofix, templating, plugins, and CI workflows.

    • Custom rules
    Free plan Our SQLFluff verdict → Visit SQLFluff
    9.4/10★★★★★
    Visit SQLFluff
  2. Sqruff

    Best fordbt teams wanting modern linting and formatting

    • Better than pgFormatter:
    • Editor score 9.1 vs 8.8

    A focused open-source choice for dbt teams needing linting, formatting, and CI workflows.

    • Custom rules
    • CI/CD integration
    • Configuration file
    Free plan Our Sqruff verdict → Visit Sqruff
    9.1/10★★★★★
    Visit Sqruff
  3. SQL Enlight

    Best forSQL Server teams needing analysis and refactoring

    A Windows toolkit for analyzing, formatting, fixing, and refactoring T-SQL.

    • Custom rules
    • CI/CD integration
    • Configuration file
    14-day trial Our SQL Enlight verdict → Visit SQL Enlight
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit SQL Enlight
  4. TSQLLint

    Best forT-SQL developers wanting configurable linting

    A configurable, free T-SQL linter with autofix and plugin support.

    • Custom rules
    • Configuration file
    • Editor extensions
    Free plan Our TSQLLint verdict → Visit TSQLLint
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit TSQLLint
  5. SQL Formatter

    Best forDevelopers needing broad SQL formatting APIs

    A broad SQL formatter with strong integration options, but limited linting depth.

    • Configuration file
    • Editor extensions
    • Automatic fixes
    Open source Our SQL Formatter verdict → Visit SQL Formatter
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit SQL Formatter
  6. SQL Formatter VSCode

    Best forVS Code users needing highly configurable formatting

    A flexible open-source formatter for VS Code users working across SQL dialects.

    • Configuration file
    • Editor extensions
    • Automatic fixes
    Open source Our SQL Formatter VSCode verdict → Visit site
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  7. Prettier SQL

    Best forPrettier users formatting SQL and embedded code

    A flexible open-source SQL formatter for Prettier workflows, not a verified linter.

    • Configuration file
    • Automatic fixes
    Free plan Our Prettier SQL verdict → Visit Prettier SQL
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit Prettier SQL
  8. sqlfmt

    Best forPostgreSQL teams using diff-based formatting

    A focused PostgreSQL formatter with diff workflows, editor integrations, and CI support.

    • CI/CD integration
    • Editor extensions
    • Automatic fixes
    Free plan Our sqlfmt verdict → Visit sqlfmt
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit sqlfmt
  9. Sleek

    Best forVS Code users wanting simple multi-dialect formatting

    A focused, free formatter for six SQL dialects with useful VS Code workflows.

    • Editor extensions
    • Automatic fixes
    Free plan Our Sleek verdict → Visit Sleek
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit Sleek
  10. SQL Pretty Printer

    Best forBuyers needing 30+ dialects and desktop add-ins

    A broad SQL formatter with 30+ dialects, desktop add-ins, and $50 one-time paid versions.

    • Editor extensions
    • Automatic fixes
    Free plan Our SQL Pretty Printer verdict → Visit site
    7.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  11. JSQLFormatter

    Best forJava teams needing grammar-driven formatting

    A focused open-source formatter for Java teams that value parser-based SQL formatting.

    • Editor extensions
    Open source Our JSQLFormatter verdict → Visit JSQLFormatter
    7.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit JSQLFormatter
  12. Squawk

    Best forPostgreSQL teams reviewing migration safety

    A focused PostgreSQL linter for teams checking migration risk before merge.

    • CI/CD integration
    • Configuration file
    • Editor extensions
    Open source Our Squawk verdict → Visit Squawk
    7.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit Squawk
  13. Poor SQL

    Best forT-SQL users wanting offline formatting tools

    A focused offline formatter for T-SQL with browser, CLI, and editor options.

    • Editor extensions
    • Automatic fixes
    Free plan Our Poor SQL verdict → Visit Poor SQL
    7.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Poor SQL
  14. SQL Linter by SqlInt

    Best forBrowser users wanting live SQL diagnostics

    A free browser SQL linter with live diagnostics across seven dialects.

    • Automatic fixes
    Free plan Our SQL Linter by SqlInt verdict → Visit SqlInt
    7.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit SqlInt
  15. Primova SQL Formatter & Linter

    Best forUsers wanting private browser-based formatting

    A private, free SQL formatter with useful warnings and extensive layout controls.

    Free plan Our Primova SQL Formatter & Linter verdict → Visit Primova
    7.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit Primova

pgFormatter Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to pgFormatter?

SQLFluff: #1 in our SQL Linters and Formatters ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Configurable SQL linting with autofix, templating, plugins, and CI workflows.

Is there a free alternative to pgFormatter?

Yes. SQLFluff, Sqruff, TSQLLint, SQL Formatter and SQL Formatter VSCode have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

Why do people look for pgFormatter alternatives?

Its strongest coverage is PostgreSQL and related SQL standards; Configuration may require project or user configuration files; Does not include AI features.

How do I switch from pgFormatter?

Export your data from pgFormatter (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel pgFormatter.

How to Switch from pgFormatter

  1. Export your data from pgFormatter (most tools have an export in their settings).
  2. Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
  3. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
  4. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel pgFormatter.

pgFormatter vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromSupported SQL dialectsAutomatic fixesEditor extensionsScore
3pgFormatterYesFreeSQL-92, SQL-99, SQL-2003, SQL-2008, SQL-2011, PostgreSQL; works with other databasesYesYes8.8
1SQLFluffYesFree9.4
2SqruffYesFreeansi, athena, bigquery, clickhouse, databricks, db2, duckdb, exasol, greenplum, hive, mariadb, materialize, mysql, oracle, postgres, redshift, snowflake, sparksql, sqlite, starrocks, teradata, trino, tsql, verticaYesYes9.1
3SQL EnlightT-SQLYesYes8.6
4TSQLLintYesFreeT-SQL (Transact-SQL)YesYes8.4
5SQL FormatterFreeStandard 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/PrestoYesYes8.3
6SQL Formatter VSCodeFreeBigQuery, DB2 for LUW, DB2 for IBM i, DuckDB, Hive, MariaDB, MySQL, N1QL, PL/SQL, PostgreSQL, Amazon Redshift, SingleStoreDB, Snowflake, Spark, SQLite, Trino (Presto), Transact-SQLYesYes8.1
7Prettier SQLYesFreesql, bigquery, db2, db2i, hive, mariadb, mysql, n1ql, postgresql, plsql, redshift, singlestoredb, snowflake, spark, sqlite, transactsql, tsql, trino, clickhouse; node-sql-parser databases: bigquery, db2, hive, mariadb, mysql, postgresql, transactsql, flinksql, snowflakeYes8.0
8sqlfmtYesFreePostgreSQLYesYes7.8
9SleekYesFreePostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, OracleYesYes7.7
10SQL Pretty PrinterYes$50 one-time30+; SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, BigQueryYesYes7.5
11JSQLFormatterFreeOracle, SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, H2, DuckDB, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks, SnowflakeYes7.4
12SquawkFreePostgreSQLNoYes7.3
13Poor SQLYesFreeT-SQLYesYes7.2
14SQL Linter by SqlIntYesFreeStandard SQL (ANSI), PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, BigQuery, Snowflake, SQL Server (T-SQL)Yes7.1
15Primova SQL Formatter & LinterYesFreeStandard SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MariaDB, T-SQL (SQL Server), BigQuery, SnowflakeNo7.0

Head-to-Head

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update