Best SQL Linters and Formatters in 2026
Updated
In short: Sqruff is ranked #1 of 26 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Poor SQL and Sleek. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Poor SQL.
For SQL projects, linters and formatters help apply style rules and catch issues in queries. The ranking compares automatic fixes, custom rules, supported SQL dialects and configuration files, as well as CI/CD integration and editor extensions. Free plan availability and paid starting prices provide cost context. Sqruff appears first, followed by pgFormatter, TSQLLint and SQLFluff; sqlfmt also appears among the early entries. Start with the dialects and editors you use, then weigh how much configuration and automation you need for local work or continuous integration.
26 SQL linters and formatters ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
9 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SqruffWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · Extension | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 2 | Poor SQLWeb · Windows · Linux · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 3 | SleekWindows · Mac · Linux · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 4 | sqlfmtWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | TSQLLintWindows · Mac · Linux · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | pgFormatterWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 7 | SQLintLinux | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 8 | SquawkWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | — | 5.8 |
| 9 | Valk GuardWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 10 | JSQLFormatterWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 5.3 | |
| 11 | SQL Pretty PrinterWeb · Windows | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 12 | SQLCheckWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 13 | SQL EnlightWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 14 | sqlfmtWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 15 | PgSanityLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 16 | Prettier SQLNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 17 | prettier-plugin-sql-cstNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 18 | Primova SQL Formatter & LinterWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 19 | Public Tools SQL FormatterWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 20 | RegSQLWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 21 | SQL FormatterWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Extension | Two bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 5.1 | |
| 22 | SQL Formatter VSCodeNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 23 | SQL Linter by SqlIntWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 24 | sql-toolsWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 25 | SQLFormat.orgWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which SQL linters and formatter is ranked first on Freedom251?
Sqruff is ranked #1 of 26 with a score of 6.6. Poor SQL is second and Sleek third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.