dotConnect Universal: One ADO.NET API for Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Db2 and More
dotConnect Universal is a $269.95 ADO.NET data provider from Devart that lets one set of classes (UniConnection, UniCommand, UniDataReader) work with Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Db2, Microsoft Access, InterBase and Firebird, plus any ADO.NET, OLE DB or ODBC source. It's for .NET developers who ship one application that customers run on different databases, and it runs on .NET 5 to 11 and .NET Framework 2.0 to 4.8 on Windows, Linux and macOS.
If your product has a "which database do you use?" step in its installer, you know the cost: a data layer full of if (oracle) ... else if (sqlserver), or a lowest-common-denominator layer over the bare ADO.NET interfaces. dotConnect Universal replaces that with one connection class whose Provider setting picks the database, and UniSQL macros that adapt query text to each server. It is not an ORM, though: there's no Entity Framework support.
Quick facts
- Version: 6.2.248, released November 11, 2026 (added .NET 11 support)
- Developer: Devart
- What the bundle contains: the Developer edition includes the run time of the Standard editions of Devart's dotConnect for Oracle, dotConnect for MySQL, dotConnect for PostgreSQL and dotConnect for SQLite, so those four databases need no client software
- Other databases: SQL Server, Db2, Microsoft Access, InterBase and Firebird through their own clients or drivers, and any other source through its ADO.NET, OLE DB or ODBC provider
- .NET platforms: .NET 5 to 11, .NET Core 2.0 to 3.1, .NET Standard 2.0/2.1, .NET Framework 2.0 to 4.8, ASP.NET Core, Blazor, .NET MAUI
- Operating systems: Windows, Linux and macOS, x64 and x86
- Packages: Devart.Data.Universal plus per-database packages (Oracle, MySql, SqlServer, PostgreSql, SQLite, DB2, Firebird, OleDb, Odbc) on NuGet. The Windows installer is 26.34 MB
- Price: $269.95 for one developer with one year of updates and support. Server $799.95, OEM for 10-100 devices $4,999.95. Express edition free
- Trial: fully functional for 30 days, no credit card, free Devart account needed to download
- What we checked: version 6.2.248 and the 26.34 MB download size on Devart's download page, the revision history back to 2021, the editions matrix and FAQ for what's bundled, the price of each separate provider, and the order page on November 13, 2026: $269.95 for the default single-developer, one-year license, $799.95 for Server and $4,999.95 for OEM for 10-100 devices. We didn't install it or connect it to a database.
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Overview
dotConnect Universal sits between your code and a database-specific provider. You write against the Uni* classes, set Provider=Oracle or Provider=SQL Server in the connection string, and the matching provider does the work underneath. For Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite, the paid edition ships Devart's own providers in their Standard-edition run time, which connect directly without Oracle Client or MySQL libraries. For SQL Server, Db2, Access, InterBase and Firebird it uses the vendor's client or driver, and for anything else it can wrap any ADO.NET, OLE DB or ODBC provider.
The product has been around for well over a decade and still gets regular builds. Version 5.0 (November 2023) added .NET Core and modern .NET, 6.0 (December 2025) added .NET 10 and Visual Studio 2026, 6.1.33 (February 2026) added SQL Server 2025 and Oracle 26ai, and 6.2.248 (November 2026) added .NET 11 and the FirebirdSql.Data.FirebirdClient package in the Visual Studio connection dialog.
The Visual Studio Add Connection dialog for Universal Servers (dotConnect Universal) with its Provider list (DB2, FirebirdClient, MS Access, MySQL, ODBC, OLE DB, Oracle, OracleClient, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite), next to C# code that opens a UniConnection with Provider=SQLServer.
Features
One set of classes for every database
dotConnect Universal gives you UniConnection, UniCommand, UniDataReader, UniDataAdapter, UniParameter, UniTransaction and UniCommandBuilder, which behave the same whatever the database. Switching a customer from SQL Server to PostgreSQL is a connection string change, not a code change, as long as your SQL is portable. UniProvider lets you plug in a custom ADO.NET provider for a database Devart doesn't list.
UniSQL for server-independent queries
dotConnect Universal's UniSQL macros let one query text produce the right syntax for each server, for the places where Oracle, SQL Server and MySQL differ (functions, quoting, data types). That's the piece that turns a common API into genuinely common code, and it's the main reason to pick Universal over the plain ADO.NET DbProviderFactory approach.
Bundled providers for Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite
dotConnect Universal's Developer edition ships the run time of the Standard editions of Devart's providers for Oracle (servers 8.0 to 26ai), MySQL and MariaDB, PostgreSQL 8 to 18, and SQLite 3, so those connect with no client installed. These bundled run times cover general ADO.NET work; the database-specific extras and ORM support of the separate dotConnect products aren't included.
Scripts, tracing and security
dotConnect Universal's UniScript runs multi-statement scripts, including huge script files loaded on the fly, and UniMonitor plus the dbMonitor utility trace every statement per component. Depending on the database, connections can use SSL/TLS or SSH, proxies and HTTP tunnels, compression, failover and load balancing, and it can operate in Windows FIPS 140-2 mode.
Visual Studio and ASP.NET support
dotConnect Universal adds a "Universal Servers" data source to Server Explorer, design-time component editors, a DataSet Wizard for typed datasets, and a Migration Wizard for projects using the SQL Server, OLE DB, ODBC or Oracle providers. The Developer edition also includes ASP.NET Membership, Role, Session State and Profile providers and Enterprise Library support, so a web app's own tables can live in whichever database the customer runs.
Benefits
- One code path, many customers. Software vendors can support Oracle, SQL Server and PostgreSQL customers from one data layer.
- Fewer client installs. Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite connect directly, which removes the most painful client setup (Oracle Client) from your installer.
- Cheaper than four providers. One $269.95 license covers four bundled providers, where the separate Developer licenses cost $1,179.80 together.
- Same tracing and scripting everywhere. UniMonitor and UniScript work the same on every database.
Real-World Uses
- A boxed business application. An ERP or CRM vendor lets each customer choose SQL Server, Oracle or PostgreSQL at install time, with one build.
- A migration tool. A utility reads from an Access or Firebird database and writes to SQL Server through the same classes.
- Reporting across sources. An internal service pulls from Oracle and MySQL systems with identical code and UniMonitor tracing on both.
- Moving a product off Oracle. A team switches its data layer to Universal first, then adds PostgreSQL support without touching business code.
Who It's For, and Who Should Skip It
It's for software vendors and teams that write ADO.NET code (not EF) that must run on several databases, and for anyone who wants Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite connectivity without client installs under one license.
Skip it if you use Entity Framework or EF Core: dotConnect Universal has no ORM support, and EF Core already abstracts the database, so you'd buy the dedicated dotConnect provider for each database instead. Skip it too if you only ever target one database, since that database's own dotConnect provider has more features, and if you rely on advanced Oracle-specific features, which the bundled Standard run time doesn't include.
Usage Guide
- Get the trial. Sign in with a free Devart account on the download page and run the Windows installer with Visual Studio closed.
- Or add packages. Run
dotnet add package Devart.Data.Universal, then the package for each database you need, such as Devart.Data.Universal.Oracle or Devart.Data.Universal.PostgreSql.
- Install clients where needed. For SQL Server, Db2, Access, InterBase or Firebird, install that database's client or driver.
- Connect. In Server Explorer, add a connection, choose Universal Servers (dotConnect Universal), pick the provider and enter the server details. In code, set
Provider= in the UniConnection string.
- Write portable SQL. Use UniSQL macros where the servers' syntax differs, and test each target database.
Before you buy
The $269.95 Developer license includes one year of new versions and support. Two- and three-year terms, Team and Site licensing, larger Site and OEM tiers and premium support are chosen on the order page. The free Express edition doesn't include the bundled providers and works only on .NET Framework, and Devart notes that it doesn't work with the Express editions of its other dotConnect providers.
Where it falls short
- No Entity Framework or ORM support. Devart's own staff confirm this on its forum; it's an ADO.NET layer only.
- The bundled providers are the Standard run time. Database-specific extras from the separate Professional and Developer editions aren't available through Universal.
- Five databases still need clients. SQL Server, Db2, Access, InterBase and Firebird rely on their vendors' drivers.
- Portable SQL is still your job. UniSQL helps, but you still test each database, and stored procedures differ by server.
- Design-time tools are Windows-only. On Linux and macOS you get the NuGet libraries.
What Users Say
Public reviews of dotConnect Universal are very scarce. It's a specialist component, review directories list it without written reviews, and Devart publishes no testimonial page for it. The most useful public record is Devart's forum, where buyers have asked the question most people have before purchasing.
Devart forum, January 2012
A user asked whether dotConnect Universal "fully incorporates and completely replaces" the separate Oracle, MySQL and PostgreSQL providers (AKRRKA). Devart's answer: "dotConnect Universal supports run time of Standard Edition of the mentioned providers," while "dotConnect for Oracle includes support for a set of advanced and Oracle-specific features" (Helen, Devart Team).
A second Devart engineer added that "dotConnect Universal does not support ORM features (Entity Framework, Entity Developer, LinqConnect etc.)" (Pinturiccio, Devart Team, February 2012). That still matches Devart's current editions page, which lists no Entity Framework support.
The takeaway from users' questions: people expect Universal to be "all the dotConnects in one", and it isn't. It's a common API with four bundled Standard-edition run times. Judge it on that.
Comparisons
The bundle vs buying the four providers separately
dotConnect Universal's Developer edition costs $269.95 for one year. Buying the four databases it bundles as separate Developer licenses on November 13, 2026 would cost:
- dotConnect for Oracle: $369.95
- dotConnect for MySQL: $269.95
- dotConnect for PostgreSQL: $269.95
- dotConnect for SQLite: $269.95
That's $1,179.80 in total, so the bundle is $909.85 cheaper. It isn't the same product, though: the separate providers include Entity Framework Core support, Visual Studio dataset tools and database-specific components that the bundled Standard run times lack. If you need EF Core or those extras on even one database, buy that provider on its own.
dotConnect Universal vs EF Core with several providers
EF Core already lets one model run on SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite and Oracle by switching the provider, using free providers or Devart's dedicated dotConnect providers. dotConnect Universal is for the other style of code: hand-written SQL and ADO.NET classes, DataSets and data adapters. If you're starting fresh with EF Core, you don't need Universal.
Editions and Pricing
Every paid license is ordered with the same Buy Now button: you pick the edition, term, license type and support on the order page. Prices below are the one-year, single-license prices on November 13, 2026.
| Edition | Price | What you get |
|---|
| Express | Free | Common classes on .NET Framework, no bundled providers, no .NET Core, no DataSet Wizard |
| Developer (the order page's default, labelled Professional at checkout) | $269.95 | One developer, bundled Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite providers, all features |
| Server | $799.95 | One server of one organization |
| OEM for 10-100 Devices | $4,999.95 | Redistribution to third parties inside your application |
The order page also offers 2- and 3-year terms, Team and Site licensing, larger Site and OEM tiers, premium support, and volume discounts of 5% to 15% from five licenses up.
FAQs
Does dotConnect Universal support Entity Framework Core?
No. dotConnect Universal is an ADO.NET provider without ORM support. For EF Core, use Devart's dedicated provider for each database, such as dotConnect for Oracle or dotConnect for PostgreSQL.
Does dotConnect Universal need Oracle Client to connect to Oracle?
No. dotConnect Universal's Developer edition bundles Devart's Oracle provider run time, which connects without Oracle Client, and the same goes for MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite. SQL Server, Db2, Access, InterBase and Firebird need their own clients or drivers.
Can dotConnect Universal connect to Db2 on z/OS?
Yes. dotConnect Universal lists Db2 for LUW 8.0 and later and Db2 for OS/390 and z/OS version 6 and later through DB2 Connect, using IBM's client.
Does dotConnect Universal work on Linux?
Yes. dotConnect Universal's NuGet packages run on Windows, Linux and macOS with .NET 5 to 11, .NET Core or .NET Standard. The installer and Visual Studio tools are Windows-only.
Which SQL Server and Oracle versions does dotConnect Universal support?
dotConnect Universal supports SQL Server 2000 to 2025 and Azure SQL, and Oracle 8.0 to 26ai, including Express editions. SQL Server 2025 and Oracle 26ai support were added in version 6.1.33 in February 2026.
Do I pay royalties to ship an app built with dotConnect Universal?
No. Apps built with dotConnect Universal ship its runtime assemblies with no per-installation fee. Redistributing the provider to other companies inside your product needs the OEM license.
Can I get a refund for dotConnect Universal?
Yes. Devart refunds dotConnect Universal purchases within 30 days if you aren't satisfied, and the 30-day trial is fully functional.
System Requirements
- .NET 5.0 to 11.0, .NET Core 2.0 to 3.1, .NET Standard 2.0/2.1, or .NET Framework 2.0 to 4.8
- Windows, Linux or macOS, x64 or x86
- Client software or drivers for SQL Server, Db2, Microsoft Access, InterBase and Firebird (not needed for Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite)
- Visual Studio for the design-time tools (Windows)
- A free Devart account to download the trial
Conclusion
dotConnect Universal is worth $269.95 to a team that writes ADO.NET code that has to run on several databases: one API, UniSQL for the syntax differences, and client-free Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite connectivity for a fraction of the $1,179.80 the four separate providers would cost. The main reason not to buy it is that it has no Entity Framework support and only the Standard run time of each bundled provider, so EF Core projects and anyone needing database-specific features should buy the dedicated dotConnect provider instead. Try the 30-day trial against each database you plan to support.
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