Best Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime alongside similar software solutions including Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime, Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable, Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1, RprtSetup, Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service, Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008, Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20, Crystal Reports Standard and Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime, Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable, Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1, RprtSetup, Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service, Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008, Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20, Crystal Reports Standard and Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012 stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Compatibility and Versions	Functionality and Features	Licensing and Support
Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime	Compatible with .NET programming languages, works with SQL Server 2012 Reporting Services, designed for Windows and Windows Server environments.	Enables viewing complex reports with drill-down functionality; limited customization options; supports multiple export formats including PDF, Excel, Word, HTML.	Requires additional licenses beyond the runtime package; community forums provide support; official Microsoft documentation available.
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable	.NET applications version 4.0 and later, requires additional licensing in commercial environments, supports integration with ASP.NET.	Provides report viewing functionality with some feature restrictions; integration with .NET Framework; does not support non-Microsoft report formats fully.	License required for commercial use; official Microsoft support available through documented channels; distributed via Microsoft website.
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1	Supports Windows operating systems, built around SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services, compatible with Visual Studio 2008.	Offers basic report viewing capabilities; some limitations compared to newer versions; suitable for applications requiring older reporting services support.	Redistributable package freely available but may require adherence to legacy licensing agreements; limited technical support due to age.
RprtSetup	Windows-based OS compatibility, designed for easy setup and automation of report configurations without limitations on report types.	Facilitates easy configuration and automation of report setups; allows quick replication; limited customization; supports various data sources from SSRS.	Free tool primarily targeting small businesses; provides community support but limited official technical support options.
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service	Designed for use with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later, requires at least 25GB disk space, focused on advanced query processing.	Offers advanced query optimization and execution features; supports complex joins and aggregates; improves query performance; includes compiled execution plans.	Included as part of SQL Server licensing; comprehensive documentation provided; support through Microsoft channels dependent on SQL Server license.
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008	Compatible with Visual Studio 2008 on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows OS, suitable for ASP.NET applications.	Supports creation of complex interactive reports with charts; limited in advanced feature set compared to newer versions; exports multiple formats including PDF and Excel.	Free runtime in certain editions but requires licensed development tools like Visual Studio; limited technical support available via Crystal forums.
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20	Supports newer versions of Visual Studio (20), offers advanced features and customization for ASP.NET development.	Includes extensive customization options; supports dynamic parameter prompts, drill-down capabilities; supports complex visualizations and interactive reports.	Free runtime with licensing constraints on production use; official vendor support available but trial versions are limited;
Crystal Reports Standard	Windows OS compatible, used primarily by small and medium-sized businesses with support for multiple languages including Chinese and English.	Powerful report designer suitable for business users; supports creating professional quality reports with extensive formatting options; export to PDF, Excel, Word.	Commercial product requiring purchase license; strong official support infrastructure including phone and online resources available.
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012	Requires installation on machines running SQL Server instances, supports x86 and x64 platforms, works with ADO.NET and related APIs.	Provides CLR support enabling user-defined types for SQL Server data access; improves performance by utilizing managed code libraries; assists in application architecture integration.	Distributed free but subject to licensing in context of SQL Server products; supported by Microsoft Downloads Center and included documentation.

Compatibility and Versions

Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime	Compatible with .NET programming languages, works with SQL Server 2012 Reporting Services, designed for Windows and Windows Server environments.
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable	.NET applications version 4.0 and later, requires additional licensing in commercial environments, supports integration with ASP.NET.
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1	Supports Windows operating systems, built around SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services, compatible with Visual Studio 2008.
RprtSetup	Windows-based OS compatibility, designed for easy setup and automation of report configurations without limitations on report types.
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service	Designed for use with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later, requires at least 25GB disk space, focused on advanced query processing.
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008	Compatible with Visual Studio 2008 on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows OS, suitable for ASP.NET applications.
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20	Supports newer versions of Visual Studio (20), offers advanced features and customization for ASP.NET development.
Crystal Reports Standard	Windows OS compatible, used primarily by small and medium-sized businesses with support for multiple languages including Chinese and English.
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012	Requires installation on machines running SQL Server instances, supports x86 and x64 platforms, works with ADO.NET and related APIs.

Functionality and Features

Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime	Enables viewing complex reports with drill-down functionality; limited customization options; supports multiple export formats including PDF, Excel, Word, HTML.
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable	Provides report viewing functionality with some feature restrictions; integration with .NET Framework; does not support non-Microsoft report formats fully.
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1	Offers basic report viewing capabilities; some limitations compared to newer versions; suitable for applications requiring older reporting services support.
RprtSetup	Facilitates easy configuration and automation of report setups; allows quick replication; limited customization; supports various data sources from SSRS.
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service	Offers advanced query optimization and execution features; supports complex joins and aggregates; improves query performance; includes compiled execution plans.
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008	Supports creation of complex interactive reports with charts; limited in advanced feature set compared to newer versions; exports multiple formats including PDF and Excel.
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20	Includes extensive customization options; supports dynamic parameter prompts, drill-down capabilities; supports complex visualizations and interactive reports.
Crystal Reports Standard	Powerful report designer suitable for business users; supports creating professional quality reports with extensive formatting options; export to PDF, Excel, Word.
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012	Provides CLR support enabling user-defined types for SQL Server data access; improves performance by utilizing managed code libraries; assists in application architecture integration.

Licensing and Support

Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime	Requires additional licenses beyond the runtime package; community forums provide support; official Microsoft documentation available.
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable	License required for commercial use; official Microsoft support available through documented channels; distributed via Microsoft website.
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1	Redistributable package freely available but may require adherence to legacy licensing agreements; limited technical support due to age.
RprtSetup	Free tool primarily targeting small businesses; provides community support but limited official technical support options.
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service	Included as part of SQL Server licensing; comprehensive documentation provided; support through Microsoft channels dependent on SQL Server license.
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008	Free runtime in certain editions but requires licensed development tools like Visual Studio; limited technical support available via Crystal forums.
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20	Free runtime with licensing constraints on production use; official vendor support available but trial versions are limited;
Crystal Reports Standard	Commercial product requiring purchase license; strong official support infrastructure including phone and online resources available.
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012	Distributed free but subject to licensing in context of SQL Server products; supported by Microsoft Downloads Center and included documentation.

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime stacks up against Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime, Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable, Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1, RprtSetup, Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service, Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008, Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20, Crystal Reports Standard and Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012 in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License	Popularity
Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime	7.3MB	Freeware	44%
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable	7.3MB	Commercial	18%
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1	1.9MB	Commercial	17%
RprtSetup		Commercial	12%
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service		Commercial	31%
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008		Freeware	10%
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20	1173.2MB	Freeware	7%
Crystal Reports Standard	1173.2MB	Commercial	0%
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012	4.1MB	Commercial	100%

Size

Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime	7.3MB
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable	7.3MB
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1	1.9MB
RprtSetup
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20	1173.2MB
Crystal Reports Standard	1173.2MB
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012	4.1MB

License

Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime	Freeware
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable	Commercial
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1	Commercial
RprtSetup	Commercial
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service	Commercial
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008	Freeware
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20	Freeware
Crystal Reports Standard	Commercial
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012	Commercial

Rating

Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1
RprtSetup
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20
Crystal Reports Standard
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012

Popularity

Microsoft Report Viewer 2012 Runtime	44%
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable	18%
Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1	17%
RprtSetup	12%
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service	31%
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 2008	10%
Crystal Reports Basic Runtime for Visual Studio 20	7%
Crystal Reports Standard	0%
Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012	100%