Plan Explorer – SQL Query Analysis

Quickly get to the root of query problems with a free query analysis tool

Index analysis

The SQL Sentry® Plan Explorer® free query analyzer includes scoring algorithms to help you determine the best index to support a given query. You can easily view recommended indexes, create and modify indexes, and detect and update old statistics. Watch the score change in real time as you work toward the elusive 100% score before executing a single line of code against SQL Server.

Statistics analysis with histogram

Clearly see the impact of compiled and runtime query parameters on performance, quickly spot data skew capable of contributing to parameter sniffing issues, visualize the index Tipping Point, and identify opportunities for better indexes.

Plan diagram

Quickly identify the most costly operators through intuitive color-coding and various display options, including the ability to view operator costs by I/O or CPU.

Query performance profiling and playback

Replay queries with access to their live performance statistics through integrated history charts. With the Plan Explorer free query analyzer, you can play back the query profile to see exactly which operators are adding the most load on system resources without having to run the query again.

Actual plan recosting

Instead of delivering only an estimated (and often inaccurate) cost for a plan operator, Plan Explorer can display the actual observed costs. You can see the difference by toggling the view between Estimated and Actual cost.

SSMS Add-in

The Plan Explorer SSMS add-in allows you to jump directly to Plan Explorer from SSMS by simply right clicking an execution plan and choosing the "View with SQL Sentry Plan Explorer" context menu option.

Analyze your execution plans in a new light with additional customization options not found in SSMS. With the SSMS add-in, you can filter out low-cost operators, update the diagram to show cost per node and cumulative costs, and even view steps by CPU or IO individually.

The add-in works with various Management Studio for SQL Server versions, including SSMS v19.

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