Recommendation for synchronizing SQL Server DBs I have two databases, prod and dev. Each DB is about 500GB.  At the end of each work day, the prod database gets several million new rows and several thousands of updates.  After the data is loaded in prod, I would like to refresh dev database from production. Both servers are SQL Server 2012.

Ideally I need something lightweight, easy to setup and maintain. The synch process needs to have a minimal performance impact on the prod server. Open to 3rd party solutions.

What solution would you recommend: transactional replication, change tracking, change data capture, or something else entirely?

Thanks for your help.

PS. Would using Change Tracking + Sync Framework be an suitable alternative?
You can also use ApexSQL Data Diff. It has command line, so you can schedule the synchronization
I've used both RG and ApexSQL. ApexSQL has only 1 version (not basic and Pro, like RG), so the fetures that are available only in RG SQL Data Compare Pro version available in ApexSQL 'basic' version. And ApexSQL is cheaper