Comparison

SQL Play vs SQL Recipes Pro

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SQL Play

Learn and practice SQL directly on your phone without installing complex software. This app provides built-in tables and over 45 syntaxes with examples to help you master SQL queries. It supports dark mode and allows data export to CSV.

Highlights
  • SQL runner on mobile
  • 10+ inbuilt practice tables
  • 45+ SQL syntaxes with examples
  • DDL, DML, DQL support
  • Dark mode theme
  • Export data to CSV
  • Query history and auto-complete
Features
Read full description

Learning and Practicing SQL couldn't be Easier! Presenting you with a beautiful SQL Runner App for all your devices - SQL Play. Say goodbye to installing heavy software like MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server on your computers, just to get SQL running. You don't have to spend hours figuring out what commands to type: - Just to write a simple SELECT query - How to use the WHERE clause - Group data using HAVING clause - What are the data types to be used - And many more Guess what? You don't even need to make your own tables and insert bunch of data by yourself just to test your queries. We already have 10+ inbuilt tables just for you to get your hands dirty with SQL faster than ever. It includes: Albums, Artists, Customers, Employees, Genres, Invoices and more. You get 45+ syntaxes along with their description and easy-to-follow examples in order of their execution, which will guide you firsthand. You don't have to keep scrolling for the commands, you can simply start typing your command and the desired command with syntax will show up. It covers DDL (Data definition language), DML (Data manipulation language) and DQL (Data query language) If you prefer dark mode we have got you covered, SQL Play theme matches your system theme. So that your eyes get the deserved rest. You are not tied to our app with your data, you can export any of your tables into CSV (Comma separated values) using the Export Data feature. Your data goes with you, whether it be Excel, Google Sheets or any other spreadsheet editor or the database of your choice. /// Go down the memory lane Every time you run your query, it gets saved locally in your device which can be accessed by pressing the Up and Down arrow button. You also get auto-complete from history as you type your query, so that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. TLDR; Saves you a lot of time Popular SQL supported databases: • IBM DB2 • MySQL • Oracle DB • PostgreSQL • SQLite • SQL Server • Sybase • OpenEdge SQL • Snowflake

About

SQL Recipes Pro

Learn SQL syntax with over 150 tested code examples for common queries and commands. Find ready-to-use solutions for database tasks, perfect for exam prep or interviews. Access all examples offline and search quickly by code or topic.

Highlights
  • 150+ SQL code examples
  • Offline access
  • Quick search functionality
  • Exam and interview preparation
  • Cross-platform (iOS/macOS)
  • Tested code recipes
Read full description

An everyday SQL reference, from your first SELECT to window functions. Every query comes with an explanation, and most of them run. • 39 sections: filtering, sorting, calculated fields, functions, GROUP BY, window functions, subqueries, JOIN, UNION, INSERT and UPDATE, data types, tables, views. • Run in the app: more than half of the queries execute against a live practice database, and the result table appears below the query. Needs an internet connection; the practice database allows 80 runs a day. • Changes in new versions: 7 sections from SQL-92 to SQL:2023, showing what each standard added, with the old and the new query side by side. • Dialects compared: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MS SQL Server, Oracle, Firebird, Access. Where they differ, each one is shown separately. • The practice database is the classic MySQL world sample database: countries, cities, languages. The tables are described in the app. • Edit any query and run it again; one tap brings the original back. • Add your own queries; they stay in the app and are always at hand. • Search by section name or by a fragment of a query. • Everything except running works offline: queries, search, favorites. • Light and dark themes, font and size, line numbers, soft wrapping. Every query example is drawn from trusted sources and thoroughly tested. Built by a developer for developers. In active development since 2015.

Screenshots

SQL Play4 screens
SQL Recipes Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SQL Play at Free against SQL Recipes Pro's $1.99. SQL Play also leads on ratings volume (38 vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). SQL Recipes Pro's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

SQL Play is free to download; SQL Recipes Pro costs $1.99 up front. SQL Play sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SQL Recipes Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SQL Recipes Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SQL Play has 38 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of SQL Play's written reviews are positive against 100% of SQL Recipes Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
SQL Play versus SQL Recipes Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSQL PlaySQL Recipes Pro
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating3.4 (38 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings38 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#97 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShivam KumarFedor Obraztsov

Customer experience

SQL Play

All ratings38 ratings
Positive57.9%
Neutral7.9%
Negative34.2%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive76.5%
Neutral4.4%
Negative19.1%

SQL Recipes Pro

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

SQL Play

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • Items smushed together on download
  • Syntax errors on first launch
  • Query box does not clear
  • Errors near SELECT even with correct query
  • Cannot open pro even after activation
Show 11 more
  • Command window does not accept indentations
  • Learn button absent
  • App cannot be deleted
  • App does not work properly for queries
  • App got stuck with pinwheel of death
  • Not up to date with current version of SQL
  • App doesn't display code output
  • Paywall nag after going unlimited
  • Date input bug (adds up years)
  • Tables displayed not correctly
  • Table won't show if not in typing mode on iPhone 7

Requested features

6 requests
  • Solid update required
  • Hire better iOS developers
  • Show databases function
  • Show tables function
  • Add 'desc' command
Show 1 more
  • Add 'rename' command

SQL Recipes Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SQL Play

One-time1
  • SQL Play Premium$9.99
None

SQL Recipes Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SQL Play free?
SQL Play is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SQL Recipes Pro free?
SQL Recipes Pro costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SQL Play or SQL Recipes Pro?
SQL Recipes Pro is rated higher. SQL Play averages 3.4 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while SQL Recipes Pro averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do SQL Play or SQL Recipes Pro have ads?
SQL Play shows ads; SQL Recipes Pro does not.
Which is updated more often, SQL Play or SQL Recipes Pro?
SQL Play ships an update every 3 months, and SQL Recipes Pro every 3 months. Most recently, SQL Play was updated on October 9, 2026 and SQL Recipes Pro on October 6, 2026.

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