Is sql server management studio free to use?

Yes, SQL server managament is free to use and download.

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for managing any SQL infrastructure. Use SSMS to access, configure, manage, administer, and develop all components of SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and SQL Data Warehouse.

Use SSMS to query, design, and manage your databases and data warehouses, wherever they are - on your local computer, or in the cloud.

Download Free SQL server management studio OR use https://aka.ms/ssmsfullsetup

Supported operating systems (SSMS)

SSMS 20.1 is the latest version of SSMS as of May,2025. 

This version of SSMS supports the following 64-bit platforms when used with the latest available service pack:

• Windows 11 (64 bit)
• Windows 10 (64-bit) *
• Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2019 (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2016 (64-bit) *
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2012 (64-bit)
• Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit)

You can find more link here "Where can I download SQL server 2016 express full?"

You may also like to check : How to open sql server configuration manager in windows 10?

Note: SSMS is free but you need to pay for SQL server instances which you can buy on Amazon RDS or Azure to create database and save data.

There are two version of SQL server which is free:

• SQL Server Developer is a full-featured free edition, licensed for use as a development and test database in a non-production environment.
• SQL Server Express is a free edition of SQL Server, ideal for development and production for desktop, web, and small server applications.

But for versions like  SQL Server 2019 on-premises or Azure you can get trial and may need to pay for advanced tools, you get a 180-day free trial of SQL Server on-premise on Windows.

Yes, SQL server management studio is free to use and you can connect to your SQL server instance/database using it.

YES, SSMS is free and it will remain free. You can Download and Install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) (Step by Step) using this link. Thanks, hope this helps.