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Microsoft SQL Server

Database Management

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★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 on G2 · 4.6 on Capterra (2,000+ G2 reviews)
4.4 / 5
G2 rating [source]
Microsoft
Vendor [source]
Relational
+ BI [source]
Free
Express & Developer [source]

Quick facts

CategoryEnterprise relational database
VendorMicrosoft
Starts atPer core license; free Express/Developer; Azure SQL cloud
Best forMicrosoft ecosystem
DeploymentOn premise, Linux, and Azure
Free planExpress and Developer editions
IntegrationsMicrosoft stack, BI, Azure
G2 rating4.4 / 5
Capterra rating4.6 / 5

What is Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is Microsoft's enterprise relational database, strong, well integrated with the Microsoft stack and BI, with free editions and Azure SQL in the cloud. A full featured relational DBMS, it offers strong performance, reliability and security, with integrated business intelligence and analytics (SSIS, SSRS, SSAS), T-SQL, and tight integration with the Microsoft ecosystem (Windows, .NET, Power BI, Azure), running on Windows, Linux, and as the managed Azure SQL Database in the cloud, plus free Express and Developer editions. The natural enterprise database for Microsoft centric organisations, SQL Server combines capable relational data with Microsoft integration and BI. For the Microsoft ecosystem, SQL Server is a leading choice.

SQL Server's distinction is being Microsoft's capable enterprise database, integrated with the Microsoft stack and BI. For the many organisations on Microsoft, it fits .NET, Windows, Power BI and Azure, includes strong built in BI and analytics, and offers managed Azure SQL and free editions, so it is the natural relational database in that ecosystem. That Microsoft integration, BI and ecosystem fit set it apart.

SQL Server at a glanceMicrosoft SQL Server is Microsoft's enterprise relational database with strong BI and Microsoft integration [Microsoft]. It holds about a 4.4 out of 5 rating on G2 and 4.6 on Capterra, the natural choice for Microsoft environments.

Who Microsoft SQL Server is best for

Microsoft SQL Server is best for Microsoft centric organisations that want a capable enterprise relational database integrated with the Microsoft stack (.NET, Windows, Power BI, Azure) and strong built in BI, with free editions and managed Azure SQL. It suits Microsoft aligned teams. It is a weaker fit for cost conscious new projects preferring open source, where PostgreSQL or MySQL fit, document data, where MongoDB fits, non Microsoft environments, or pure analytics, where Snowflake or BigQuery fit.

Key features

The core strengths are a strong, reliable, secure relational engine with T-SQL, integrated business intelligence and analytics (SSIS, SSRS, SSAS), and tight Microsoft ecosystem integration (.NET, Windows, Power BI, Azure), running on Windows, Linux and as managed Azure SQL. SQL Server offers in memory, high availability, and free Express and Developer editions. Its Microsoft integration, BI and capable relational engine are its defining advantages.

Microsoft SQL Server pricing

SQL Server is licensed per core (Enterprise and Standard editions) or by server plus CALs, with free Express (limited) and Developer (full features, non production) editions, and managed Azure SQL Database priced by usage in the cloud. Licensing can be significant at scale, though cheaper than Oracle, and the free editions and Azure options add flexibility. Costs depend on edition and cores. Confirm details via the SQL Server downloads page.

Integrations and ecosystem

SQL Server integrates deeply with the Microsoft ecosystem, .NET, Windows, Power BI, Azure, and Visual Studio, plus standards and tools. Its tight Microsoft integration and BI stack, which let Microsoft organisations build applications, analytics and reporting on familiar tools, are a signature strength and the core reason they choose it.

SQL Server and the Microsoft ecosystem

Microsoft integration and BI are the signature strength: SQL Server fits .NET, Windows, Power BI and Azure, includes strong built in business intelligence and analytics, and offers managed Azure SQL, so Microsoft organisations get a capable relational database within their stack. For Microsoft centric teams, this integration is the main reason to choose SQL Server.

Ease of use and support

SQL Server is well rated for reliability, BI, tooling (SSMS) and Microsoft integration, with strong support and expertise, and free editions ease adoption. Its G2 reviews praise performance, BI and Microsoft integration, with licensing cost at scale and Microsoft focus the main considerations.

Is Microsoft SQL Server worth it?

For Microsoft centric organisations that want a capable enterprise relational database integrated with the Microsoft stack and strong BI, with free editions and Azure SQL, SQL Server is a leading choice. The main caution is licensing cost at scale and Microsoft focus, so cost conscious or non Microsoft teams may prefer PostgreSQL or MySQL, document data MongoDB, and analytics Snowflake or BigQuery, but for the Microsoft ecosystem SQL Server leads.

Pricing

Express / Developer

$0
free
  • Express (limited)
  • Developer (full, non prod)
  • Get started

Standard / Enterprise

License
per core
  • Full production
  • BI and HA
  • On premise or Linux

Azure SQL Database

Usage
cloud
  • Managed
  • Scales
  • Azure integration

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong Microsoft ecosystem integration
  • Built in BI and analytics
  • Capable, reliable relational engine
  • Free Express and Developer editions
  • Managed Azure SQL option

Cons

  • Licensing cost at scale
  • Best within Microsoft ecosystem
  • Enterprise edition pricey
  • Cost conscious teams prefer open source

Microsoft SQL Server alternatives

These database management tools come up most often against Microsoft SQL Server.

Oracle Database

Enterprise relational database management system

MySQL

Widely used open-source relational database

PostgreSQL

Advanced open-source relational database

Microsoft SQL Server FAQ

What is Microsoft SQL Server used for?
SQL Server is used to store and manage relational data for applications and analytics: a capable relational engine with T-SQL, integrated BI (SSIS, SSRS, SSAS), high availability and security, tightly integrated with the Microsoft stack, on Windows, Linux or as managed Azure SQL.
How much does SQL Server cost?
SQL Server is licensed per core (Enterprise and Standard) or server plus CALs, with free Express and Developer editions and usage based Azure SQL in the cloud. Licensing can be significant at scale. See the SQL Server downloads page.
Is SQL Server free?
SQL Server offers free Express (limited) and Developer (full features, non production) editions, while production Standard and Enterprise editions are licensed per core, and managed Azure SQL is usage based, so teams can start free and pay for production scale.
SQL Server vs Oracle, which is better?
Microsoft SQL Server is strong and well integrated with the Microsoft stack and BI, generally cheaper, while Oracle Database offers the deepest features for the most demanding workloads at higher cost. SQL Server suits Microsoft environments; Oracle suits the most demanding enterprise workloads.
Does SQL Server run on Linux?
Yes. Microsoft SQL Server runs on Windows and Linux, and as the managed Azure SQL Database in the cloud, giving flexibility beyond Windows while keeping its Microsoft ecosystem integration and BI capabilities.
What is Azure SQL?
Azure SQL Database is Microsoft's managed, cloud version of SQL Server, handling operations like backups, patching and scaling, with usage based pricing, so Microsoft organisations run SQL Server in the cloud without managing infrastructure.

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