SQuirreL SQL Client vs Oracle SQL Developer: is it a good Linux alternative?

SQuirreL SQL Client as a Linux alternative to Oracle SQL Developer

Updated October 22, 2026

Our verdict

SQuirreL SQL Client can replace Oracle SQL Developer for many day‑to‑day tasks such as connecting to Oracle databases, running queries, browsing schemas, and exporting results. It works on Linux, is free, and supports Oracle via the JDBC driver. However, it lacks Oracle‑specific features like PL/SQL debugging, migration wizards, and tight integration with Oracle Enterprise Manager. It is best suited for developers who need a lightweight, multi‑database client and are willing to use external tools for advanced Oracle tasks.

Feature parity70%

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Price: Free
Latest version: 4.8.0 (September 1, 2024)
Rating: —

Install SQuirreL SQL Client Website ↗

The SQuirreL desktop in Ocean Theme

What works the same

Both are Java‑based, cross‑platform IDEs for database development
Both provide a schema browser and SQL editor with syntax highlighting
Both support connection profiles and multiple database types via JDBC
Both allow exporting query results to CSV or Excel
Both have plugin or extension mechanisms

What is different

SQuirreL lacks Oracle‑specific debugging and migration wizards present in SQL Developer
Oracle SQL Developer integrates with Oracle Enterprise Manager and AWR reports; SQuirreL does not
SQL Developer offers built‑in PL/SQL code completion and debugging; SQuirreL only offers basic editor features
SQL Developer can generate migration scripts for other RDBMS; SQuirreL has no such feature
SQL Developer is tailored for Oracle; SQuirreL is generic and may require manual driver configuration for Oracle

Opening your Oracle SQL Developer files

SQuirreL SQL Client does not read Oracle SQL Developer project files (.xml, .sqd) or export directly to them. To move scripts, copy the SQL text manually or export results to a common format like CSV and re‑import. There is no built‑in conversion tool.

Switching from Oracle SQL Developer to SQuirreL SQL Client, step by step

Install the Oracle JDBC driver (ojdbc8.jar) and place it in SQuirreL’s driver directory or add it via the driver manager.
Create a new connection profile in SQuirreL: set the JDBC URL to jdbc:oracle:thin:@host:port:sid or service name, and enter your credentials.
Test the connection to confirm driver and network settings are correct.
Open your existing SQL scripts from Oracle SQL Developer and paste them into SQuirreL’s SQL editor, or use the File → Import feature if available.
Adjust any PL/SQL specific syntax if necessary, as SQuirreL’s editor may not highlight Oracle extensions fully.
Save the connection profile for future use and start running queries.

Key features of SQuirreL SQL Client

Supports dozens of JDBC drivers out of the box
Schema browser with tree view of tables, views, procedures
SQL editor with syntax highlighting and history
Result set viewer with export to CSV/Excel
Plugin architecture for extensions
Cross‑platform Java Swing UI
Ability to run scripts and batch commands
Built‑in connection manager with saved profiles

How to install SQuirreL SQL Client on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub net.sourceforge.squirrel_sql

Frequently asked questions

Does SQuirreL support PL/SQL debugging?

No, SQuirreL does not provide a PL/SQL debugger. You would need a separate tool for that.

Can I use SQuirreL to migrate an Oracle schema to another database?

SQuirreL does not include migration wizards. You can export tables and data, but schema migration must be handled manually or with other utilities.

Is a Java runtime required for SQuirreL on Linux?

Yes, SQuirreL is a Java Swing application; it requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) to run.

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Is it a good replacement for Oracle SQL Developer? 9