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Jarle Vestrheim - PeerSpot reviewer
Billing Consultant at Hoberg & Vestrheim
Consultant
The fashion browser and the Schema browser are valuable features, it is a complete solution
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of Toad for Oracle is the fashion browser and the Schema browser. It is very complete."
  • "Toad for Oracle could improve code completion, it is very slow."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is deployed on public cloud and on premises. One on each developer's computer.

We use Toad for Oracle mainly to create procedures in the database, and to make an API. We have three people in our IT department using the solution in our company.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Toad for Oracle is the session browser and the Schema browser. It is very complete. There is also good tools for database management.

What needs improvement?

Toad for Oracle could improve code completion, it is very slow. When you type and code completion is on, you'll have to wait for up to 10 seconds while Toad looks in the database to list suggestions for table and field names.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Toad for Oracle for 10 years.

Buyer's Guide
Toad for Oracle
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Toad for Oracle. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Toad for Oracle crashes a couple of times per month.

How are customer service and support?

I would rate technical support a 5 out of 5.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We use both Toad for Oracle and DataGrip. Toad for Oracle's code completion is very slow when compared to DataGrip.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of this solution is very easy. Basically, it is an install and forget solution.

What about the implementation team?

We deployed in-house, it takes only five or ten minutes to deploy.

What was our ROI?

Very good, we are a consultancy and it does not take many hours to pay for the annual fee.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Our company pays licensing fees. It is not a cheap solution.

What other advice do I have?

The solution is easy. I would rate it an 8 out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Razaul Karim - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager (Oracle EBS ) at PRAN-RFL Group
Real User
An Oracle developer and database administration software tool that is very flexible and helpful in query accuracy, analysis, and data visualization
Pros and Cons
  • "I like that it's very flexible and helpful in query accuracy, analysis, and data visualization. I also like the move facilities available in Toad for Oracle. Overall, I think it's a fantastic product for analyzing SQL queries and managing all kinds of queries."
  • "It would be better if they had an online option allowing me to connect from anywhere on any device. Sometimes I face some errors, depending on the network and setup. It's not a big issue."

What is our primary use case?

We are using SQL and are pretty skilled, and it's convenient to write SQL queries in Toad. When I write something, it shows the name and column, and the output is very fast.

The Oracle EBS system is the largest database system, and our company is big in Bangladesh. This is the largest group of companies, so we have a lot of daily transactions, and our database size is approximately 10 TB. We are analyzing all types of transition queries and lots of things.

What is most valuable?

I like that it's very flexible and helpful in query accuracy, analysis, and data visualization. I also like the move facilities available in Toad for Oracle. Overall, I think it's a fantastic product for analyzing SQL queries and managing all kinds of queries.

What needs improvement?

It would be better if they had an online option allowing me to connect from anywhere on any device. Sometimes I face some errors, depending on the network and setup. It's not a big issue.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Toad for Oracle since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Toad for Oracle is a stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Toad for Oracle is a scalable product. Our company has an IT department and a technical support team. Everybody is using these tools for analysis and executing queries. More than 30 people are using Toad for Oracle.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. I have done it many times on many different laptops and servers. The deployment time depends on the people involved and their skill level.

What about the implementation team?

We implemented this solution.

What other advice do I have?

I would tell potential users that this is a very good product. I'm using it right now, and it's the best for me.

On a scale from one to ten, I would give Toad for Oracle an eight.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Toad for Oracle
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Toad for Oracle. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
832,138 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Software Developer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
User
Great PL/SQL debugger and "Make Code" feature with technical support that goes above and beyond
Pros and Cons
  • "A quite simple feature that I have not encountered elsewhere is the "Make Code" feature. I can easily export a complex SQL statement to a programming language. This is a great timesaver as I do not have to type in all of the escape/concatenation characters just to create a SQL statement in C# or C++."
  • "Once in a while, I may encounter a memory exception and have to abort the application. On a few occasions, the file that stores the saved connections for the New Connection window will become corrupt and I will lose all of my saved connections. I am not sure if that is a Windows or TOAD issue, but it has happened to all of my developers at some point or another."

What is our primary use case?

I use TOAD for all Oracle database management and development. I've also purchased it for our developers. The resource time I save by purchasing TOAD for my developers easily offsets the cost.

We are a smaller software company and maintain an Oracle database to test new releases. We do database administration, design, and development.

Database management includes tablespaces, data files, rebuilding indexes, tables, analyzing tables, and schema comparison.

PL/SQL development includes creating and maintaining packages.

SQL includes data queries and editing.

How has it helped my organization?

TOAD saves many hours of work by simplifying the redundant maintenance tasks for databases. We attempted to use SQL Developer a few times, but It is not as user-friendly. It seems TOAD was created to make an Oracle Developer's/Admin's life as easy as possible.

Specifically, it helps with: 

  • Schema comparison and promotion scripts
  • Rebuilding table scripts (very helpful when an existing table has been altered and needs promoting)
  • Debugging/Analyzing connected sessions and current SQL

It has a Schema Browser that provides all needed data in a clear and accessible way. This helps our software engineers who are not Oracle experts with the dictionary tables

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is honestly that so many features are packed into a single software package. TOAD is one of only a few applications that I have not had to complement with additional software or "add-ons".

The PL/SQL debugger is fantastic and has been a huge time-saver.

A quite simple feature that I have not encountered elsewhere is the "Make Code" feature. I can easily export a complex SQL statement to a programming language. This is a great timesaver as I do not have to type in all of the escape/concatenation characters just to create a SQL statement in C# or C++.

This is not a "software" feature, however, I have contacted Quest when a version had a very specific bug that was affecting my team. They scheduled a meeting to review the issue pretty quickly and I spoke to several knowledgeable people. They had already implemented a fix, communicated when the release would be available, and provided me with a beta version to hold me over until the official release. The level of service they provided was astounding.

What needs improvement?

I honestly cannot think of any at the moment. I am sure there are some, however, I use it every day. Any issues tend to be few and far between. Once in a while, I may encounter a memory exception and have to abort the application. On a few occasions, the file that stores the saved connections for the New Connection window will become corrupt and I will lose all of my saved connections. I am not sure if that is a Windows or TOAD issue, but it has happened to all of my developers at some point or another. The incident rate is only about once every 6 months, so that makes it more palatable.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for 16 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution has been very stable. 

The stability issues I have encountered have been memory exceptions which can cause the application to crash. Since I use the application intensely on a daily basis, these do not occur with enough frequency to cause disruption. The memory exceptions have reduced in likelihood with each new release. If I had to put a "rough" number I would say once every month or so.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution seems easily scalable. The developers that use it have no issues keeping new versions updated. 

How are customer service and technical support?

The one time I used the customer service, it was excellent. Everyone I spoke with was very knowledgeable and customer-focused. I shared that experience many times afterward because I was so impressed that there are still companies with that level of support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have tried SQL Developer but it was missing several "of the nice to haves" that made TOAD very convenient.

How was the initial setup?

The setup was easy. I downloaded TOAD and an Oracle Client.

What about the implementation team?

We handled the deployment in-house.

What was our ROI?

I do not have specific numbers, but the ROI has been positive. I want my developers to focus on logic and not on the nuances and minutia of Oracle.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

If you or your team regularly develops within Oracle, the convenience and time-saving are well worth the cost. On the surface, the initial cost may seem steep. However, my thoughts are that:

  1. The renewal rate is reasonable so look at the multi-year cost. 
  2. If a developer saves 20 hours annually by utilizing TOAD's functionality, the software has easily paid for itself just in saved productivity alone.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

No, I did not evaluate anything else prior to using TOAD.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Nawaf S - PeerSpot reviewer
Team Lead at Lean
Real User
Top 10
Features a user-friendly GUI software for administration and good scalability
Pros and Cons
  • "Simply the best GUI software for administration is the most valuable aspect for me."
  • "In future releases, the product can be more intuitive. It has to be lighter than what it is because sometimes it is not responding quickly. If I do some features at the same time, it's not supporting. I have to wait sometimes to get the action. It's dependent on the resources of the workstation, but it has to be improved in this area. The faster processing is needed."

What is our primary use case?

Our use cases include database management and development.

What is most valuable?

Simply the best GUI software for administration is the most valuable aspect for me. Many features are built-in or already included, rather than the other software. 

What needs improvement?

In future releases, the product can be more intuitive. It has to be lighter than what it is because sometimes it is not responding quickly. If I do some features at the same time, it's not supporting. I have to wait sometimes to get the action. It's dependent on the resources of the workstation, but it has to be improved in this area. The faster processing is needed. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for four years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is good enough. I would rate the stability an eight out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable product. I would rate the scalability an eight out of ten. We have many end users using this solution in our company. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We use SQL Developer. We switched to Toad because of the better features and mechanisms offered by the software itself. It's easier than the skill level required. Also, many features are involved in Toad instead of using extra DevOps.

How was the initial setup?

I would rate my experience with the initial setup a nine out of ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy to implement. It's the easiest. It's typical. 

What about the implementation team?

Two people are required for the deployment and maintenance of the solution. It just took a day to deploy the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing is okay, it's reasonable. I would rate the pricing a seven out of ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive. It's a little bit on the pricey side. 

What other advice do I have?

I will recommend it to anyone related to the SQL. Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Manager of Migration of Oracle Forms Applications at CIEMAT at Aubay Spain
Real User
Top 20
Fast, good data management, and helps in the development of code
Pros and Cons
  • "The tool evaluates non-optimized queries and generates the queries in a way that is more optimal - in addition to giving us some good practices for code development."
  • "Query optimization is still very resource-intensive."

What is our primary use case?

I use the solution mainly for database queries and updates since it allows you to see the result of those queries in a multi-record block where you can browse the different records.

I also use it to develop code within the database itself, such as procedures, functions, packages, etc, thanks to the rapid development tips it has.

Another function that I use is the comparison of structures and code between the different environments. We currently have three environments, and I can see the differences in each environment.

How has it helped my organization?

The development of applications that use an Oracle Database and PL/SQL for their data management are developed much faster. 

The different aids that the tool has for the development of code in the database speed up the development. While it not only helps in the development of code, it also helps in the maintenance of the applications by being able to analyze the data and the queries of the applications that do not work correctly. In this regard, the fact that you can see the different results in a multi-registry and that you can navigate in it helps a lot. Toad saves you time.

What is most valuable?

One of the features that I like the most is the result of queries in multi-record blocks that you navigate through. This data can also be exported to other formats. The export to Excel format is especially useful to provide them to the end user so that they can create more specific reports.

Another feature that I really appreciate is the ability to analyze non-optimized queries. The tool evaluates non-optimized queries and generates the queries in a way that is more optimal - in addition to giving us some good practices for code development.

What needs improvement?

Although the tool has come a long way since I started using it, there are still some things that need to be improved.

For example, query optimization is still very resource-intensive, and sometimes it is slow to get the results. On some occasions, I have had to leave it analyzing for more than 12 hours.

Another thing that could be improved is the reporting. In particular, it seems to me that it is difficult to be able to make a report using the tool. Currently, I have to make the queries in Toad and transfer them to other tools (for example, SQL*Plus, Oracle Reports, et cetera).

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for about 20 years. I've been using Toad since 2003.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Before using Toad, I started using its source, SQL Navigator. I changed due to the fact that Toad is more complete.

At one time, when there were no Toad licenses on the development team, we used the Oracle SQL Developer tool. During that time, it was more difficult for us to carry out development.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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PeerSpot user
Ahmed-Shawky - PeerSpot reviewer
Enterprise Software Applications Manager at Sarwa Capital
Real User
Top 10
Stable product with efficient UI features
Pros and Cons
  • "The product's most valuable features are UI and monitoring."
  • "There could be a tool for automated SQL query functioning."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product to run SQL scripts in the Kubernetes environment.

What is most valuable?

The product's most valuable features are UI and monitoring.

What needs improvement?

There could be a tool for automated SQL query functioning.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Toad for Oracle for more than five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability works fine for one session. It is challenging to scale for multiple sessions.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup process is easy.

What other advice do I have?

It is a good product. I recommend it to others and rate it an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1458423 - PeerSpot reviewer
Self Employed, Software Developer, Energy Expert at My Power Station Technology (Pty) Ltd
Real User
Good support, easy to use with a visually appealing design, and it is straightforward to set up
Pros and Cons
  • "I find Toad easy to use and I love the Workspace feature, which allows me to set up projects so that I can open SQL files applicable to what I am working on at any particular time."
  • "There should also be a better "cancel query" option as sometimes one cancels a query, but then it still might run for a long time, and then one has to crash Toad in order to cancel the query."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case is Oracle software development. I use Packages, Stored Procedures, Triggers, DDL, and DML. I also use it for viewing schemas, viewing sessions, table spaces, etc.

I work in Oracle versions from 12c to 19c and a single version of Toad allows me to do this. I also work in Oracle htp.p (HTML, CSS, JavaScript from inside the database) and also Oracle Apex, and I can do this with Toad too.

I work on multiple VMs and multiple clients and I can load a 64-bit Toad in one environment and a 32-bit Toad in another environment.

How has it helped my organization?

Toad is the one tool that I use almost every single day of my life. Besides Operating Systems. email applications, office tools, mind mapping, and the like.

Toad is my choice programming environment for writing Oracle applications which live in the backend.

I find Toad easy to use and I love the Workspace feature, which allows me to set up projects so that I can open SQL files applicable to what I am working on at any particular time. I've also used the debugger and optimizing tools from time to time.

I like that Toad saves me time in my work and recently I've started using the Reporting feature. It is also easy to add comments to tables and columns.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the ability to look at the database visually, almost graphically.

Some other features that I like are:

  • The ability to add ROWID to queries to allow quick updates without having to write SQL.
  • Visually appealing design.
  • Ability to view users and tasks and with DBA permission to be able to terminate sessions if required.

I also like that Toad has a one-year and a three-year maintenance license plan and upgrading for three years at a time allows one to save considerably on the license. Normally, I use the three-year option and I did this year, but last year I had a financial challenge and so only used the one-year upgrade option.

What needs improvement?

Sometimes if there's a crash, there are unsaved files that need to be recovered. Although this list is shown when you restart, I find this difficult to use.

There should also be a better "cancel query" option as sometimes one cancels a query, but then it still might run for a long time, and then one has to crash Toad in order to cancel the query.

After all these years of downloading the product, I still find the product download form a bit challenging and one needs to know to click on the Download Now checkbox so that one can download without choosing manuals, etc. I think that this form should be redesigned.

As with so many other tools and suppliers, I believe that long term users should get better maintenance pricing.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Toad for Oracle for the last 10 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is very stable and fails (crashes) very seldomly. The main problem is when one wants to cancel a long-running query.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

One can work with any sized database with this tool.

How are customer service and technical support?

I only really contact my supplier when i need to upgrade. Support is good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I started using Oracle in 1993. I can't remember what tools I used before I started using Toad.

I have colleagues who use other tools and I've looked at them. They load slowly, crash regularly, and don't have as nice a user interface as Toad. I find myself wasting time when I use other tools.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. Although during the last upgrade, I chose the Maintenance upgrade option instead of the full release, and the maintenance upgrade option didn't work for me.

What about the implementation team?

In-house install, by me.

What was our ROI?

I don't have a quantitative measurement for this but I do know that Toad saves me time. Compared with other modern products, it allows me to do many functions in a single tool.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

My advice is to try to use the three-year maintenance agreement if possible.

Per-user licensing allows me to use Toad in multiple places as long as I don't work on two at the same time

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have evaluated SQL Developer.

I've looked at this since starting to use Toad, especially last year during challenging financial times.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
E-service at a financial services firm with 201-500 employees
Real User
Reach list of features make administering Oracle easier
Pros and Cons
  • "Toad has a lot of features that are very useful, fast, and well developed."
  • "I would like to see an improvement in the performance because opening the browser and the editor should be faster."

What is our primary use case?

I use this solution for administering my Oracle database.

How has it helped my organization?

Toad has a lot of features that are very useful, fast, and well developed. It is a very easy and helpful tool for me and my work. It is the main program that I use, every day.

What is most valuable?

I like a lot of the features in this solution including the Session Browser, Tablespace, SGA browser, good editor, it is to dificult to enumerate all features.

What needs improvement?

I would like to see an improvement in the performance because opening the browser and the editor should be faster.

The limit of 100,000 lines when parsing trace files is not always enough, and I would like to see the limit increased.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The current version of Toad is stable. However, the previous version was not stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This solution is scalable.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have only contacted technical support one time and it was by email. I would rate them somewhere between average and good. It was a few years ago, so they may have improved since then.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have used other tools, but Toad is the best of them.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of this solution is easy. Deployment takes approximately one hour.

What about the implementation team?

I deployed the solution myself, and one person is suitable for both deployment and maintenance.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

In my opinion, this solution is a little expensive, but I understand that good programs cost more money. I find it acceptable, although my bosses may think differently. There are no costs in addition to the standard licensing fees.

What other advice do I have?

This is a program that I like very much and I recommend for others.

I would rate this solution a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Toad for Oracle Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: January 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Toad for Oracle Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.