ApexSQL Generate
ApexSQL Generate is paid Windows software that populates SQL databases with synthetic test data.
What ApexSQL Generate is
ApexSQL Generate is paid Windows software that populates SQL databases with synthetic test data. It recognizes a loaded database’s SQL data types and lets users assign generators to columns. Random and regular-expression generators create varied values, while the Incremental generator creates sequential data. Users can set row counts, random seeds, null-value percentages, and behavior for invalid data. The Generation module in ApexSQL DevOps Toolkit can produce data for selected tables at scales including millions of rows, preserve foreign-key consistency, and emulate real-world test data. Listed export formats are SQL, XML, CSV, JSON, and Excel. Connections include SQL Server 2005 and later, Azure SQL Database, and Amazon RDS for SQL Server. It runs on Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 or later, with SQL Server Management Studio 2012 or later for the add-in. Settings can be saved as batch or PowerShell scripts, and ApexSQL documents CI use. Pricing is available on request, with a free toolkit trial.
Good
- Supports foreign-key consistency
- Generates data at million-row scales
- Exports SQL, XML, CSV, JSON, and Excel
- Offers batch and PowerShell automation
- Includes a free toolkit trial
Watch out
- Pricing is available only on request
- Requires Windows and listed SQL Server environments
- Needs .NET Framework 4.7.2 and administrator privileges
- SSMS 2012/2014 add-in menu issue is documented
Who it suits
It suits Windows teams generating relational test data for supported SQL Server environments, including CI workflows and large table populations. Developers who need configurable synthetic values and export formats may find its controls useful.
Verdict
ApexSQL Generate focuses on configurable, relationally consistent test data for supported SQL databases. Its Windows, SQL Server, and licensing requirements should be checked before adoption.
The facts
Each one read from ApexSQL Generate's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authentication
- The product supports Windows and SQL Server authentication, and its release notes document Active Directory password, integrated, and universal authentication with MFA.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Automation
- ApexSQL Generate can save selected project settings as batch or PowerShell automation scripts.checked 8 Oct 2026
- CI use
- ApexSQL documents using Generate in a CI workflow to populate a database with test data, with 100 rows inserted by default when RowCount is omitted.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Database connections
- The product supports SQL Server 2005 and higher, Azure SQL Database, and Amazon RDS for SQL Server.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Database support
- The listed requirements include SQL Server 2005 and higher, Azure SQL Database, and Amazon RDS for SQL Server.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Data consistency
- The toolkit page says the generator retains data consistency with foreign key support and can emulate real-world test data.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Data types
- It supports SQL data types and can recognize column types in a loaded database to generate corresponding test data.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Evaluation
- ApexSQL sales FAQs state that its software is try-before-you-buy with a minimum 14-day evaluation period.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Generation controls
- Users can set row counts, random seeds, null-value percentages, and behavior for invalid data.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Generators
- It can generate randomized data with Random and Regular expression generators and sequential data with the Incremental generator.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- The 2020.02 release notes state that the application's add-in menu is not shown under the ApexSQL menu in SSMS 2012 and 2014.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The release notes list a minimum requirement of .NET Framework 4.7.2 and administrative privileges for the Windows user account.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Operating system
- The listed operating systems are Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 or higher.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- The toolkit page lists SQL, XML, CSV, JSON, and Excel as test data export formats.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ApexSQL Generate populates SQL databases with test data using multiple generators for each column.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- Quest lists an Accessibility Conformance Report for ApexSQL Generate and says its reports follow WCAG 2.1 and 2.2.checked 8 Oct 2026
- SSMS integration
- The listed add-in integration requirement is SQL Server Management Studio 2012 and higher.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Quest lists ApexSQL Generate among the products with support options in the ApexSQL DevOps Toolkit Bundle.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Telemetry
- A 2020 release added anonymous collection of application and component usage and performance telemetry.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Test data scale
- The ApexSQL DevOps Toolkit page says its Generation module can generate test data for specified tables, including millions of rows.checked 8 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial
- Quest offers a free trial of the ApexSQL DevOps Toolkit, which includes ApexSQL Generate.checked 8 Oct 2026
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