Introduces new approaches for designing application architecture

dotConnect for SQL Server

dotConnect for SQL Server

  -  Trial
  • Latest Version

    dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 6.1.33 LATEST

  • Review by

    Daniel Leblanc

  • Operating System

    Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 10

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Devart / External Link

dotConnect for SQL Server, formerly known as SQLDirect .NET, is an enhanced data provider for SQL Server that builds on ADO.NET technology and SqlClient to present a complete solution for developing SQL Server-based database applications.

As part of the Devart database application development framework, this tool for SQL Server offers both high-performance native connectivity to SQL Server and a number of innovative development tools and technologies.

dotConnect for SQL Server introduces new approaches for designing application architecture, boosts productivity, and leverages database application implementation.

dotConnect for SQL Server Screenshot 1

Whats new
  • Introduced compatibility with .NET 10.
  • Added support for Visual Studio 2026.
  • Enabled support for Visual Studio 2026 Insiders (version 18.3).
  • Implemented trial activation functionality for product evaluation.
  • Introduced license key–based activation for .NET Framework assemblies.
  • Added a License Key parameter to the connection string for .NET Framework assemblies.
  • Expanded capabilities with support for high-performance batch update operations.
Wide Coverage of SQL Server Features
By providing access to the most advanced database functionality, the software for SQL Server allows developers to harness the full capabilities of SQL Server and optimize their database applications. The software for SQL Server stands out as the set of components with the widest support of SQL Server functionality.

Optimized Code
The goal of dotConnect for SQL Server is to enable developers to write efficient and flexible database applications. The program for SQL Server assemblies is implemented using optimized code and advanced data access algorithms. Components undergo comprehensive performance tests and are designed to help you write thin and efficient product data access layers.

Database Application Development Extensions
The tool for SQL Server has a rich set of design-time tools that leverage the development process greatly. Particularly, there are convenient design-time component editors, wizards, and managers for typed SQL Server-specific components, a toolset for live data binding, cross-form components cooperation, and much more. This app for SQL Server integrates tightly with Visual Studio 2008 - 2017 and Delphi.

Both Connected and Disconnected Models
This app for SQL Server combines connected and disconnected data access models in a single SqlDataTable component, which allows you to design a more flexible application architecture and use the full power of data binding.

Comprehensive Support for ADO.NET Technology Features
The app for SQL Server supports new ADO.NET features and technologies as soon as they are released. This includes a base-class-based provider model, provider factories, connection string builder, metadata schemas, asynchronous commands, pooling enhancements, batch update support, provider-specific types, server enumeration, database change notification support, and so on. dot Connect for SQL Server will continue supporting the newest standards and innovations of the .NET Framework.

Features and Highlights
  • Direct access to SQL Server within 100% managed code
  • High performance
  • Operates in both connected and disconnected models
  • Powerful SQLDataTable component as an all-in-one table data access solution
  • Auxiliary components for SQL scripts and bulk data transfer
  • ASP.NET Provider Model support
  • Extra data binding capabilities
  • Cross-form components cooperation
  • The ability of monitoring query execution
  • Easy to deploy
  • Supports the latest versions of SQL Server
  • All SQL Server data types support
  • Licensed royalty-free per developer, per team, or per site
How to Use
  • Open your development environment (e.g., Visual Studio)
  • Configure a new database connection
  • Enter SQL Server credentials and test the connection
  • Use Entity Framework or direct SQL queries
  • Develop and debug applications with database access
  • Optimize queries using built-in tools
  • Deploy your application with the configured database
FAQs

What is dotConnect for SQL Server used for?
dotConnect for SQL Server is an enhanced ADO.NET data provider developed by Devart. It enables developers to build .NET applications that connect efficiently to Microsoft SQL Server databases, offering advanced ORM support, high-performance data access, and additional productivity tools beyond the standard Microsoft provider.

How is dotConnect different from the default SQL Server provider?
Compared to Microsoft’s built-in SQL Server provider, dotConnect offers extended features such as enhanced Entity Framework support, LINQ to SQL integration, advanced connection management, and performance optimizations. It also includes design-time tools for Visual Studio that simplify development workflows.

Does dotConnect support modern .NET versions?
Yes. dotConnect for SQL Server supports modern .NET frameworks, including .NET Core and .NET 5/6+ (depending on the current release). It is designed to integrate with contemporary development environments and enterprise-grade applications.

Is dotConnect suitable for enterprise applications?
Yes. dotConnect is widely used in enterprise environments that require reliable database connectivity, high performance, and advanced ORM features. It is suitable for business-critical systems where stability and optimization are priorities.

Is dotConnect for SQL Server still relevant in 2026?
Yes. In 2026, dotConnect remains relevant for organizations and developers seeking enhanced SQL Server connectivity in .NET ecosystems. Its value depends on project requirements, especially when advanced features or performance optimizations beyond the default provider are needed.

Pricign
  • 1 Year - $219.95 + $50 Premium Support
  • 2 Year - $319.95 + $70 Premium Support 
  • 3 Year - $399.95 + $80 Premium Support
Licensing Options
  • One-Year License – Includes free updates and full product support for one year.
  • Perpetual License – One-time purchase that allows you to use the licensed version indefinitely (no subscription required).
  • OEM License (For Companies) – Allows integration and redistribution of the software within your own application, including royalty-free distribution and unlimited installations.
Note: 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee – Enjoy a risk-free purchase with a full refund if you’re not satisfied.

System Requirements
  • Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 (32-bit or 64-bit)
  • .NET Framework 4.0 or higher
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or newer
  • 1 GHz or faster processor
  • 512 MB RAM or more
  • 100 MB of available disk space
PROS
  • Easy integration with Visual Studio
  • Supports Entity Framework and LinqConnect
  • High performance and optimized connectivity
  • Secure and encrypted data transmission
  • Comprehensive documentation and support
CONS
  • Requires .NET Framework dependency
  • Limited support for older SQL versions
  • Can be complex for beginners
  • Higher cost for premium features
  • Occasional compatibility issues
Note: 30-day trial version. Requires .NET Framework

Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)
  • dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 6.1.33 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 6.1.33 Screenshot 1

What's new in this version:

dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 6.1.33
- Added support for SQL Server 2025
- Added support for Microsoft Entra authentication in the .NET Standard 2.0 assemblies of the Devart.Data.SqlServer NuGet package
- Added the LoadLicenseKey() method to the SqlConnection class
- Fixed an issue where the license key could not be applied on Red Hat–based Linux distributions (RHEL 9/10, AlmaLinux 9/10, Rocky Linux 9/10) when the system-wide cryptographic policy was set to DEFAULT


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 6.0.0
- Added support for .NET 10
- Added support for Visual Studio 2026
- Added support for Visual Studio 2026 Insiders, version 18.3
- Added trial product activation
- Added license key-based licensing for .NET Framework assemblies
- Added the License Key connection string parameter for .NET Framework assemblies
- Added support for high-performance batch updates


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.2.290
- Fixed an issue with reopening SqlConnection after a network interruption
- Fixed a design-time issue with the SQLiteDataTable Tasks interface element in Visual Studio 2022
- Fixed an issue in dbMonitor integration where error messages were logged incorrectly


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.2.235
- Added support for Visual Studio 2022 version 17.14 Preview
- Fixed an issue causing slow connections to dbMonitor on systems using the IPv6 protocol


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.2.193
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.2.191
- Fixed an issue with .NET Core projects in the Upgrade Wizard


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.2.190
- .NET 9 compatibility
- Supported Visual Studio 2022 version 17.13 Preview
- Fixed an issue with applying the license key on Red Hat-based Linux systems (Red Hat 9, AlmaLinux 9, Rocky Linux 9) when the system-wide cryptographic policy was set to DEFAULT
- Fixed an issue with the missing Name and Owner properties in the DbCommandBase class within .NET Standard 2.0 compliant assemblies


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.1.104
- Added support for Visual Studio 2022 version 17.12 Preview
- Fixed an issue with integration into Visual Studio 2015 and earlier versions
- Fixed the DataSet Wizard crash in Visual Studio 2022
- Fixed a design-time bug with the SqlDataTable Tasks interface element in Visual Studio 2022


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.1.21
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.1.20
- Added support for Visual Studio 2022 version 17.11 Preview


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.1.10
- NET 8 compatibility
- Visual Studio 2022 version 17.9 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 5.0.0
- SQL Server 2022 is supported
- Visual Studio 2022 version 17.8 Preview is supported
- .NET Core is supported
- .NET 5, .NET 6, and .NET 7 compatibility
- The NuGet package 'Devart.Data.SqlServer' with .NET Core compliant assemblies is uploaded to nuget.org


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 4.0.151
- Visual Studio 2022 version 17.7 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 4.0.134
- Visual Studio 2022 version 17.5 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 4.0.0
- Windows 11 is supported
- Visual Studio 2022 version 17.2 is supported
- Visual Studio 2022 version 17.3 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.704
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.680
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.652
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.623
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.582
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.568
- Visual Studio 2019 version 16.11 Preview 2.0 is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.543
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.504
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.498
- Visual Studio 2019 version 16.10 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.474
- The new command line option /disablegac that disables adding assemblies to GAC is added


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.450
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.430
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.420
- Visual Studio 2019 version 16.9 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.397
- The bug with Visual Studio 2019 integration, when both v16.7 RTM and v16.8 Preview are installed on the same computer, is fixed


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.377
- Visual Studio 2019 version 16.8 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.368
- The SendCallStack property is added to the Devart.Common.DbMonitor class for possibility to turn off resource-demanding logging of CallStack
- The Filter property is added to the Devart.Common.DbMonitor class for possibility to choose events being logged
- The Devart.Common.DbMonitor class is improved: now values of the DateTime parameters sent to the dbMonitor tool are supplemented with milliseconds
- The bug with updating projects in folders below the main project by Upgrade Wizard is fixed


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.334
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.324
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.304
- Visual Studio 2019 version 16.7 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.250
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.221
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.179.0
- Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview is supported
- The bug with using Toolbox component SqlDataSource in web projects of Visual Studio 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 is fixed
- The bug with enabling Devart DataSet Editor in Visual Studio 2017 and Visual Studio 2019 is fixed


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.157.0
- The "Optimize rendering for screens with different pixel densities" feature of Visual Studio 2019 is supported by Devart DataSet Editor


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.142.0
- Visual Studio 2019 version 16.4 Preview is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.137.0
- The "Optimize rendering for screens with different pixel densities" feature of Visual Studio 2019 is supported by Devart DataSet Manage


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.108.0
- The integration with Visual Studio 2019 is improved: now the installation detects both 2019 Release and 2019 Preview versions


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.75.0
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.60.0
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 3.0.4.0
- Visual Studio 2019 is supported


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 2.90.2183
- Visual Studio 2019 Release Candidate 4 is supported
- The bug with corrupting not Latin-1 characters by Migration Wizard for files with non-unicode encoding is fixed


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 2.90.2154
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers


dotConnect for SQL Server Professional 2.90.2133
- Compatible with other dotConnect providers