You don't even need a live database. You can compare a live database directly against a .bak file or a SQL Clone image. Installation Tips for a Smooth Setup
The is a small investment of time for a massive return in productivity and accuracy. As databases grow into the terabytes, manual data reconciliation becomes impossible. This tool removes the fear of data drift, corrupt migrations, and partial deployments. redgate sql data compare download
Redgate updates their tools frequently to support new SQL Server features. Once installed, use the "Help > Check for Updates" menu to ensure you’re on the latest build. Why Choose Redgate Over Native Tools? You don't even need a live database