Open files in VS Code and Cursor / Tables and data

Compare two SQLite databases

sqldiff, the official SQLite tool, prints the SQL that turns one database into the other, and it is free. If you want a readable report next to the script, SQLite Viewer in VS Code has Compare SQLite Databases: tables, columns, indexes, views, triggers and rows, with rows matched by primary key (or rowid). You get a Markdown report and a-vs-b-sync.sql. Opening and editing databases is free; the compare has 3 free tries, then Zovo Pro is USD 19 once.

Free, MIT license. Extension ID zovo.sqlite-table-viewer, version 0.4.4. Needs VS Code 1.90.0 or newer.

Steps in VS Code

1. Install SQLite DB Viewer from the Marketplace, or press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on macOS) and run ext install zovo.sqlite-table-viewer.
2. Click the .sqlite or .db file in the Explorer. It opens in SQLite Viewer.
3. Browse both databases. Opening, the SQL tab, editing and CSV import are free, with no banner.

Where Zovo Pro saves time

Opening, reading, the SQL tab, editing cells and rows, Save with a backup, CSV and TSV import and export of the rows in view are free.

sqldiff gives SQL only. Compare SQLite Databases also writes a Markdown report with counts and the first differences of each table, which you can paste into a review. The sync script is opened in an editor and never run for you.

With Compare SQLite Databases (Zovo Pro)

4. Run Compare SQLite Databases (Pro) from the Command Palette (type SQLite).
5. Pick the two SQLite files.
6. Read the Markdown report: counts per table and the first differences.
7. Check a-vs-b-sync.sql. It makes the second database match the first. Run it yourself when you are sure.

Compare SQLite Databases works 3 times on your computer before it asks for a license, and a try counts only when you get a result. Opening a file shows no popup and no countdown.

Zovo Pro costs USD 19 once. It is not a subscription, and it turns on the Pro tools in every Zovo extension, not only SQLite DB Viewer. After a card payment (Stripe) your license key shows on the next page. In VS Code, run "Zovo Pro: Enter Zovo Pro license key" from the Command Palette and paste it. The key is checked on your computer, with no network call. With GitHub Sponsors, pick the "$19 one time" tier, then run "Zovo Pro: I already paid: unlock with GitHub Sponsors" and sign in with the same GitHub account. With PayPal, send USD 19 with "Zovo Pro" in the note and the key comes by email within a day.

A team of 5: USD 59 once, by card or by PayPal. Every rule and every Pro tool is on the Zovo Pro page.

Steps in Cursor, Windsurf or VSCodium

1. Open the Extensions view with Ctrl+Shift+X (Cmd+Shift+X on macOS).
2. Search for zovo.sqlite-table-viewer and click Install. Cursor, Windsurf and VSCodium install from Open VSX, where it is published as zovo/sqlite-table-viewer.
3. If your editor has no gallery, download the .vsix from the Open VSX page and run "Extensions: Install from VSIX...".
4. Then use it the same way as in VS Code.

What SQLite DB Viewer handles

• Tables, columns, indexes, views and triggers.
• Rows matched by primary key or rowid.
• Markdown report and a SQL sync script.

What it does not do

• The sync script is never run for you.
• It works on SQLite files only, not on a server database.

Other options

• sqldiff. The official command-line tool. It prints a SQL script; --summary gives counts per table and --schema compares only the schema. Free and the best choice for scripts.
• diffdb-sqlite. A Perl script that shows the result as a colored unified diff.

Install counts and Open VSX status were checked on 11 November 2026. Descriptions in quotes are the extensions' own.

Questions

More about SQLite DB Viewer

Read the SQLite DB Viewer page for every feature and setting, or the source code on GitHub.

Related guides

• SQLite Editor & Viewer on the VS Code Marketplace (also on Open VSX). Opens .db and .sqlite files as tables, edits cells and runs SQL.
• Open a SQLite database in VS Code
• SQLite to Excel in VS Code
• Edit a SQLite database in VS Code
• Open an Excel .xlsx file in VS Code