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dotConnect

devart.com

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Spec score 9.0 #5 of 53 in Database Client Software

What it is

dotConnect is a suite of ADO.NET data providers for.NET applications and websites that need direct access to databases and cloud services. It connects to SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, DB2, InterBase, Microsoft Access, Firebird, Salesforce, Dynamics 365, and QuickBooks Online. Providers support SQL commands, stored procedures, transactions, and connection pooling. A Visual Studio database explorer and Entity Developer integration support visual ORM modeling; the SQL Server provider also works with Visual Studio Code and JetBrains Rider. That provider lists Windows, Linux, and macOS support with.NET Framework,.NET Core, and.NET 5 through 10 compatibility. Secure connections can use SSL, SSH, or HTTPS tunneling. The Express edition is free, offers basic connectivity, and is limited to.NET Framework. A full 30-day trial has no limits and requires no card. Developer licenses are perpetual, with listed prices from $219.95, paid once.

Spec sheet

What it does
dotConnect is a suite of ADO.NET data providers for direct access to databases and cloud services from .NET applications and websites.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Product
dotConnect is a suite of ADO.NET data providers for direct access to databases and cloud services from .NET applications and websites.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Trial
The full product is available as a free 30-day trial, and the SQL Server feature page says the trial has no limits and requires no card.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Security
The product page says dotConnect supports secure connections using SSL, SSH, and HTTPS tunneling.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Support
Devart offers product support, documentation, API references, tutorials, and optional Premium Support starting at $60.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Founded
1997Read 28 Sep 2026 · devart.com
Company
Devart says it was founded in 1997 and develops data connectivity, integration, backup, and database management tools.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
ADO.NET features
The providers support SQL commands, stored procedures, transactions, and connection pooling.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
ADO.NET support
The providers implement SQL commands, stored procedures, transactions and connection pooling through ADO.NET.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
API surface
The documentation exposes public provider classes such as SqlConnection, SqlCommand, SqlDataReader, SqlDataAdapter, SqlTransaction and SqlParameter.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.devart.com
Cloud integrations
The product page lists Adobe Commerce, BigCommerce, Dynamics 365, FreshBooks, Magento, Mailchimp, QuickBooks Online, Salesforce, SugarCRM and Zoho services as supported sources.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Company profile
LinkedIn lists Devart as a privately held software-development company founded in 1997 with 201–500 employees and headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Cross-platform targets
The SQL Server provider lists Windows, Linux, and macOS support, with .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET 5 through 10 compatibility.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Database and cloud connections
The suite lists connections for databases including DB2, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and SQLite, and services including Salesforce, Dynamics 365, and QuickBooks Online.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Database coverage
The Universal provider lists SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, DB2, InterBase, Microsoft Access and Firebird connectivity.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Deployment licensing
Applications built with dotConnect can redistribute the required runtime assemblies without licensing end users, subject to the EULA.Read 15 Oct 2026 · support.devart.com
Developer tooling
The SQL Server provider supports Visual Studio integration and NuGet-compatible IDEs including Visual Studio Code and JetBrains Rider.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Documentation depth
Devart provides guides, API references, tutorials, samples, HTML Help and Visual Studio-integrated documentation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Free edition limit
The Express edition provides basic connectivity and is limited to .NET Framework according to the product FAQ.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
License model
The EULA requires Devart activation keys and restricts commercial use of Express-created applications; the software is proprietary rather than open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
License types
Devart lists Single, Server, and OEM license types, with OEM licensing permitting deployment to third parties as part of a licensed application.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Licensing
The product page describes dotConnect licenses as perpetual with no renewal fees.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Limit: documentation
Several reviewers say documentation is incomplete, dated for newer .NET frameworks or requires keeping examples open while developing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Limit: learning curve
G2 reviewers mention that newcomers may need time to learn the product and that advanced use can have a steep learning curve.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: licensing friction
Software Advice reviewers report occasional licensing warnings or upgrade-related activation problems during deployment.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Limit: performance and interface
One G2 Universal reviewer reports lag, slow operation and an outdated interface that could be simplified.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Offline processing
A built-in local SQL engine can run queries over disconnected datasets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Oracle client requirement
Oracle Direct mode can connect without Oracle Client software, using TCP/IP.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.devart.com
Oracle security
The Oracle provider documents TLS/SSL, SSH, encryption, integrity checks, proxy authentication and Windows FIPS 140-2 operation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.devart.com
ORM integration
The product integrates with Devart Entity Developer for visual ORM modeling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Performance features
Devart describes caching, connection pooling and efficient query execution as performance optimizations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Perpetual licensing
Devart says licensed versions can be used indefinitely without an active subscription, with one year of updates and support included.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Praise: connectivity features
Software Advice reviewers highlight HTTP tunneling, MariaDB/MySQL connectivity and Entity Framework model generation as useful strengths.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Praise: integration and usability
G2 reviewers repeatedly describe simple integration, easy setup, Visual Studio tooling and straightforward database connectivity.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: performance and reliability
Reviewers on G2 and Software Advice commonly praise fast performance, reliable connections and reduced development effort.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Rating on G2 Oracle
4.6 out of 5 from 7 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on G2 PostgreSQL
3.7 out of 5 from 18 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on G2 Universal
4.1 out of 5 from 19 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Software Advice
5.0 out of 5 from 8 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Recent feature news
A 26 May 2026 Devart release announcement described expanded API support, modern authentication and broader modern-.NET compatibility across dotConnect providers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Recent release
Version 6.1.223 of Universal was released on 8 October 2026 with fixes for 32-bit Windows installation and expired-license handling in Visual Studio.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
SDK/package installation
Universal can be installed with the Devart.Data.Universal NuGet package or a Windows installer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Security transport
Official product material states support for SSL, SSH and HTTPS tunneling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Supported runtimes
The Oracle provider documents Windows, Linux and macOS support plus .NET 5 through 10, .NET Core, .NET Standard, .NET Framework and Mono.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.devart.com
Universal edition split
Universal Express has common classes and native data types, while Developer adds all ADO.NET classes, design-time extensions and wizards.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Universal Express limitation
Universal Express supports .NET Framework but not .NET Core and does not bundle the native database providers included in Developer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Visual Studio
dotConnect includes a Visual Studio database explorer and integrates with Entity Developer for visual ORM modeling.Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Visual Studio integration
dotConnect includes a Visual Studio database explorer and design-time integration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com

Plans and prices

dotConnect Express Free Free edition · basic connectivity · .NET Framework only Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Express Free basic connectivity · .NET Framework only Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
dotConnect for SQL Server — Developer $219.95, paid once Perpetual license; one year of support and upgrades included Single license · for one developer Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Professional Single $219.95, paid once one time Entity Framework · LinqConnect · visual model designer · NHibernate runtime · ASP.NET providers · SQL Server BIS · dbMonitor · DataSet tools Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
dotConnect for MySQL — Developer $269.95, paid once Perpetual license; one year of support and upgrades included Single license · for one developer Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
dotConnect for PostgreSQL — Developer $269.95, paid once Perpetual license; one year of support and upgrades included Single license · for one developer Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
dotConnect for SQLite — Developer $269.95, paid once Perpetual license; one year of support and upgrades included Single license · for one developer Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
dotConnect Universal — Developer $269.95, paid once Perpetual license; one year of support and upgrades included Single license · for one developer Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
dotConnect Universal Developer $269.95, paid once all ADO.NET classes · design-time extensions · wizards · bundled Oracle/MySQL/PostgreSQL/SQLite providers · .NET Core support Read 15 Oct 2026 · devart.com
dotConnect for Oracle — Developer $369.95, paid once Perpetual license; one year of support and upgrades included Single license · for one developer Read 11 Oct 2026 · devart.com
Professional Team $539.95, paid once one time Entity Framework · LinqConnect · visual model designer · NHibernate runtime · ASP.NET providers · SQL Server BIS · dbMonitor · DataSet tools Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Professional Site $979.95, paid once one time Entity Framework · LinqConnect · visual model designer · NHibernate runtime · ASP.NET providers · SQL Server BIS · dbMonitor · DataSet tools Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com

Every dotConnect plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports numerous databases and cloud services
  • Provides SQL, transaction, and pooling features
  • Includes Visual Studio database exploration
  • Offers SSL, SSH, and HTTPS tunneling
  • Full product trial lasts 30 days

Limits

  • Free Express edition is limited to.NET Framework
  • Paid developer licenses start at $219.95, paid once
  • Pricing varies by database provider and license type

Who it suits

dotConnect suits .NET developers connecting applications to multiple databases or cloud services. It is particularly relevant to teams wanting provider libraries, IDE tooling, and cross-platform SQL Server support.

Verdict

dotConnect combines database providers, ORM-oriented tooling, security tunnels, and a free entry edition. Check the Express limitations and the specific perpetual license price for the database systems you need.

Where Specifiction places it

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