Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server: A Paid SQL Server Connector With SSH and HTTP Tunnels Built In
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server is a $179.95-per-year ODBC driver for Windows, macOS and Linux that lets Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Access, DBeaver, Python, PHP and other ODBC tools read and write live Microsoft SQL Server data, from SQL Server 2000 up to SQL Server 2025. It talks to the server directly over TCP/IP, so you don't install the SQL Server client, and it can reach a server that sits behind a firewall through SSH or an HTTP tunnel.
That last part is the reason most people look past the free drivers. When the database lives on a hosted box with port 1433 closed, or a report has to run from a Mac or a Linux job server against an old SQL Server 2005 instance, a plain driver isn't enough. Devart puts the tunnel, the old-version support and a configuration dialog on all three platforms into one package.
Quick facts
- Version: 6.2.0, released October 16, 2026 (Devart ships two feature releases a year, in spring and autumn)
- Developer: Devart
- Platforms: Windows x86 and x64 (including Terminal Server), macOS on Intel and Apple Silicon, Linux x86 and x64 (DEB and RPM packages)
- Servers: SQL Server 2000 to 2025, including the Express editions and MSDE
- Standard: ODBC 3.52, with 32-bit and 64-bit drivers
- Price: $179.95 per year for a Desktop license on one platform, or $349.95 perpetual
- Trial: free, activated with a trial key from a Devart account
- Refund: within 30 days of purchase, if a technical problem that support can't fix stops the driver from working
- What we checked: the Buy Now order page charged $179.95 for Desktop for Windows with a 1-year subscription, and the same cart priced the 2-year, 3-year, perpetual and Server Standard options. The download page listed version 6.2.0 with a 31.48 MB Windows installer, and the revision history matched it. All checked on November 13, 2026. We didn't install the driver or run queries against a server
Before you buy
Microsoft gives away its own ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server (version 18.7.1.1, September 7, 2026) for Windows, Linux and macOS, with 32-bit and 64-bit builds. If your server is reachable on its normal port and runs a recent SQL Server, try that first. Devart's driver earns its price when you need the extras covered below: SSH or HTTP tunneling, very old servers, a configuration dialog on Mac and Linux, or Devart's tool-by-tool compatibility fixes. A subscription also needs an internet connection to activate and to check the license; only a perpetual license activates offline.
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Overview
ODBC is the lowest common denominator of data access. Almost every reporting tool, spreadsheet, ETL product and scripting language can open an ODBC data source, so one good driver makes a SQL Server database available to all of them at once. You install the driver, create a DSN (or write a connection string), and the application sees SQL Server tables, views and stored procedures as if they were local.
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server is one of more than 90 ODBC drivers Devart sells, and it shares their design: no vendor client libraries, a full ODBC API implementation, the same DSN dialog on every platform, and a long list of tools Devart tests against. Devart lists Power BI, Tableau, Qlik Sense, Crystal Reports, Alteryx, SSRS, Excel, Access, LibreOffice, FileMaker, Delphi, Visual Studio, PHP and Python among them.
Features
Direct connection, no SQL Server client
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server connects to the server over TCP/IP by itself, without the SQL Server Native Client or any other Microsoft library. That makes deployment simpler: copy the installer to a workstation, activate it, and it works. You choose SQL Server authentication (user name and password) or Windows authentication with the current Windows account.
SSL, SSH and HTTP tunnels for servers you can't reach directly
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server can encrypt the connection with SSL/TLS, open an SSH tunnel through a jump host, or route traffic through an HTTP/HTTPS tunnel script on a web server, with Bearer Token authentication for the tunnel since version 6.0. Each option sits on the Security Settings tab of the DSN dialog or in the connection string. Having the tunnel inside the driver saves you from setting up PuTTY or a VPN just so Excel can see a hosted database.
From SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2025
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server supports every release from SQL Server 2000 (with MSDE) to SQL Server 2025, Express editions included, and the docs still list SQL Server 7. Version 6.2 added SQL Server 2025 and Always Encrypted (for SQL Server 2019 and later), plus a read-only connection mode and an option to show metadata for the current database only, which keeps tools from listing every catalog on a busy server.
The same driver on Windows, Mac and Linux
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server installs 32-bit and 64-bit drivers on Windows, a PKG on macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon) and DEB or RPM packages on Linux. Since version 6.0 the Mac and Linux builds have a graphical configuration window too, so you don't have to edit odbc.ini by hand. A 32-bit build matters when you're feeding 32-bit Office or an old line-of-business app.
The iODBC Data Source Administrator on macOS, with a DEVART_SQLSERVER system DSN using Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server selected and the Test button highlighted. Data sources for other Devart drivers are listed too.
Settings for fussy tools
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server has connection options aimed at applications that misbehave with a standard driver: force ANSI or Unicode string types, switch between ODBC 2.x and 3.x behavior, treat empty strings as NULL, use regional number and date formats, enable Multiple Active Result Sets, set the ApplicationIntent, and pick IPv4, IPv6 or both. The revision history is mostly compatibility work for named tools, including Tableau, Qlik Replicate, PHP's PDO_ODBC, Node.js, Visual FoxPro, DBeaver, Microsoft Query and Linked Server in SQL Server Management Studio.
Bulk updates and caching
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server can batch SQL statements into bulk updates when you change many rows at once, and it uses connection pooling and local data caching to cut round trips. Bidirectional type mapping between SQL Server and ODBC types avoids the odd date and decimal conversions that some tools get from generic drivers.
Benefits
- One install, every tool. Once the DSN exists, Excel, Power BI, Access and your Python scripts all use the same connection, with the same settings.
- No firewall changes. The SSH and HTTP tunnels reach a hosted database through ports that are usually already open, so you don't have to ask the host to expose port 1433.
- Old servers keep working. A SQL Server 2000 or 2005 instance stays reachable from current tools on all three operating systems.
- Someone to call. A paid license comes with Devart support and nightly builds with fixes, and priority support is available as an option.
Real-World Uses
- Reporting on a hosted database from a laptop. An analyst connects Power BI Desktop to a shop's SQL Server at a hosting company through an SSH tunnel, without a VPN.
- A Mac in a Windows shop. A finance user on an Apple Silicon Mac pulls SQL Server tables into Excel or FileMaker through the macOS driver and its configuration window.
- Linux ETL jobs. A nightly Python or PHP job on Ubuntu or CentOS reads from SQL Server through the DEB or RPM package and writes the results elsewhere.
- Legacy systems. A company still running a SQL Server 2005 back end for an old ERP connects it to a modern BI tool for one last migration report.
Who It's For, and Who Should Skip It
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server suits analysts, consultants and IT teams who connect many tools to SQL Server from more than one operating system, need a tunnel to reach the server, or support old SQL Server versions. Software vendors who want to ship a driver inside their product should look at the OEM license.
Skip it if you only connect Windows tools to a modern SQL Server or Azure SQL database on its normal port: Microsoft's free ODBC Driver 18 does that job, and it's the reference driver for new server features. Skip it too if you write .NET code, where an ADO.NET provider is the more natural fit, or if you need several different databases, where Devart's ODBC Universal Bundle (from $499.95 per year for all its ODBC drivers) costs less than three single drivers.
Usage Guide
- Download the installer for your system from the trial link (a free Devart account is needed): EXE or MSI for Windows, PKG for macOS, DEB or RPM for Linux.
- Run the installer. On Windows it installs the 32-bit and 64-bit drivers; on Linux use
dpkg or rpm.
- Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator (on macOS, Devart's ODBC Administrator or iODBC) and add a new data source with Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server.
- On the License tab, paste the trial or purchased activation key from your registration email or the Devart Customer Portal. The driver needs activating even for the trial.
- Enter the server, port (1433 by default), authentication type, user name, password and database. Add SSL, SSH or HTTP tunnel details on the Security Settings tab if you need them, then click Test Connection.
- In your tool, choose ODBC as the data source and pick the DSN. For DSN-less connections, use a string such as
DRIVER={Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server};Data Source=myhost;Initial Catalog=mydatabase;User ID=myuser;Password=mypass;Port=1433.
Tip
On 64-bit Windows, a 32-bit application only sees DSNs created in the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator. If Excel or Access can't find your data source, check which bitness it runs in and create the DSN in the matching tool.
Where It Falls Short
- It's per user and per platform. A Desktop license covers one user at a time on one computer and one operating system. A Windows user and a Mac user means two licenses, and a shared server needs a Server license from $999.95 per year.
- Subscriptions phone home. A subscription license needs internet access to activate and to verify the license, which matters on locked-down servers.
- Activation even for the trial. You need a Devart account and a trial key before the driver will connect, which adds a step compared with a free driver.
- Little feedback on this driver alone. Review sites lump Devart's drivers together, so most of what's known comes from reviews of the ODBC line as a whole.
What Users Say
Review sites mostly treat Devart's ODBC drivers as one product, and the SQL Server driver's own listings on Software Advice and GetApp had no reviews yet in November 2026. So the feedback below is about the driver family. The text came from the sites' listings through search summaries, since the review pages block automated reading.
Ratings for Devart ODBC drivers
- Capterra: 4.7 out of 5 from 26 reviews of Devart ODBC Drivers, with 4.5 for ease of use.
- G2: about 4.5 to 4.6 out of 5 from 17 to 18 reviews of Devart ODBC Driver, depending on the page.
- TrustRadius: a much lower 5.2 out of 10 from 58 reviews and ratings.
What people like
One Capterra reviewer summed it up as "Great product. Very Reliable." Another said they moved to Devart from a different vendor's ODBC drivers after a problem there went unfixed for more than two years, and that Devart solved it. Others on Capterra found installation and DSN setup straightforward, and one picked Devart as the least expensive option with clear instructions. A G2 reviewer headlined their review "Reliable driver with reliable support".
A GetApp reviewer liked the price and the option to buy a perpetual license rather than rent.
What people complain about
The complaints are about money and paperwork rather than the driver. A TrustRadius reviewer wrote that "Prices are still high", and others there pointed out that every user needs a separate license, asked for licenses to be delivered faster, and wanted more how-to articles and FAQs. A Capterra reviewer said the cost of the drivers was the problem and that support staff gave conflicting answers about which license fits a network setup.
The pattern: people who use the drivers find them reliable and quick to set up, and support solves real problems. The friction is per-user, per-platform pricing and license questions, so check the license type before you buy, especially for shared or server use.
Comparisons
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server vs. Microsoft ODBC Driver 18
Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server is free, runs on Windows (x86, x64, ARM64), Linux and macOS, and covers SQL Server, Azure SQL, Azure Synapse and Microsoft Fabric. It's the right default for modern servers you can reach directly.
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server adds built-in SSH and HTTP/HTTPS tunneling, support back to SQL Server 2000, a graphical DSN dialog on Mac and Linux, string-type and ODBC-version switches for awkward tools, and vendor support. You pay $179.95 per year (or $349.95 once) for those extras.
Desktop vs. Server editions
The Desktop edition is for one person on one computer. Server Standard covers one server with up to 6 cores used by many people, such as a Power BI gateway, a web server or a shared reporting box. Server Enterprise removes the core limit, a Site license covers every computer in one company, and an OEM license lets you ship the driver inside your own application royalty-free.
Editions and Pricing
| Edition | Subscription (1 year) | Perpetual | Who can use it |
|---|
| Desktop (Windows, macOS or Linux) | $179.95 | $349.95 | One user at a time on one computer |
| Server Standard (Windows, macOS or Linux) | $999.95 | $1,999.95 | Many users on one server with up to 6 cores |
| Server Enterprise, Site, OEM | On request | On request | Any core count, a whole company, or redistribution |
Each license is for one platform. A Desktop subscription paid up front costs $349.95 for two years and $529.95 for three, and every license includes a year of support and upgrades. Priority support is an optional extra, and Devart takes 5, 10 or 15 percent off for 5, 10 or 20 copies. The Buy Now button opens the order page set to Desktop for Windows with a 1-year subscription; you can switch the edition, platform and term there before paying. Devart's ODBC Universal Bundle, with all its ODBC drivers, starts at $499.95 per year.
FAQs
Does Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server work with SQL Server 2025?
Yes. Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server added SQL Server 2025 in version 6.2, released October 16, 2026, and still supports SQL Server 2000 and MSDE.
Do I need the SQL Server client or Native Client installed?
No. Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server connects over TCP/IP on its own, with no SQL Server client or other Microsoft libraries on the computer.
Can I connect to SQL Server through an SSH tunnel?
Yes. Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server has SSH settings on the Security Settings tab of the DSN, so you can reach a server whose SQL port is closed to the internet. An HTTP/HTTPS tunnel is the alternative when only web ports are open.
Does it support Windows authentication?
Yes. Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server can log in with the current Windows account instead of a SQL Server user name and password. Set Authentication to Windows in the DSN or the connection string.
Can I use the driver with 32-bit Excel or Access?
Yes. Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server installs both a 32-bit and a 64-bit driver on Windows. Create the DSN in the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator so a 32-bit application can see it.
What happens when my subscription ends?
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server on a subscription works only for the paid term and checks the license online. A perpetual license keeps the version you bought working indefinitely and includes a year of updates.
Do I need a separate license for Windows and Mac?
Yes. Devart sells ODBC Driver for SQL Server licenses per platform: Desktop for Windows, Desktop for macOS and Desktop for Linux are separate items at the same price.
Can I use it for a Power BI gateway or a web server?
Only with a Server license. The Desktop edition allows one user at a time; a server that several people or applications use needs Server Standard (up to 6 cores) or Server Enterprise.
System Requirements
- Windows x86 or x64, including Windows Terminal Server (31.48 MB EXE or 33.66 MB MSI installer)
- macOS on Intel x64 or Apple Silicon (20.78 MB PKG)
- Linux x86 or x64, DEB or RPM packages (about 4.5 to 6.4 MB)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2000 to 2025, including Express editions and MSDE
- No SQL Server client software; internet access to activate a subscription license
Conclusion
Devart ODBC Driver for SQL Server is worth $179.95 a year if Microsoft's free driver leaves you stuck: a database behind a firewall that you can reach only through SSH or HTTP, an old SQL Server 2000 or 2005 server, Mac and Linux users who want a proper setup dialog, or a tool that needs Devart's compatibility switches. It's current, updated twice a year, and users rate the driver family well for reliability.
If you're on Windows and your server is a modern SQL Server you can reach directly, use Microsoft's free ODBC Driver 18 and save the money. If you need several databases, price the Universal Bundle first. Otherwise, run the free trial against your own server and tool before you buy, and pick the license that matches how many people will use it.
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