I have been using SQL Developer since it required some goodwill to work. Some of the motivation came from an annoyance with Toad sessions in the database. Iremember that I back then googled “how to block Toad users from the database”.  

I like great tools. An efficient tool will help you do a piece of work faster than when you are on your own. If the tool is made by someone who is close to the material chances are the tool is efficient. The tool I use most is SQL Developer. It is easy to use and I promote it to any developer where I work, especially if they only need a quick access to the data dictionary, run some simple (or complex) SQL statements. It is not invasive, contrary to other tools it does not provide all the DBA…