
Microsoft SQL Server
About Microsoft SQL Server
SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDMS) designed to help businesses of all sizes analyze structured or unstructured data across various data environments including Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, MySQL, and more. It enables administrators to track the performance of databases, monitor data lakes, and handle data warehousing operations on a unified platform.
Features of SQL Server include multi-language support, compliance management, data classification, automated alerts, full-text search, and more. It allows software developers to manage big data environments and deploy data clusters of containerized instances of Apache Spark and Hadoop Data File System (HDFS). DevOps teams can also utilize in-memory database capabilities to track the performance of business workloads.
SQL Server provides extract, transform, and load (ETL) capabilities, which enable users to extract business data from various sources, create custom workflows, execute aggregation, deduplication, or merging of data, and export the transformed data into destination databases or files. It allows employees to store digital objects including dynamic management views (DMVs), procedures, indexes, constraints, and transaction logs in a centralized repository.
Pricing starting from:
$931.00/one-time
- Free Version
- Free Trial
- Subscription
Top 5 alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server
Devices
Business size
Markets
United States
Supported Languages
English
Pricing starting from:
$931.00/one-time
- Free Version
- Free Trial
- Subscription
Top 5 alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server
Images



Features
Total features of Microsoft SQL Server: 36
Alternatives
MySQL

Oracle Database

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Reviews
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- Industry: Hospital & Health Care
- Company size: 1,001-5,000 Employees
- Used Daily for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support Software
- Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10
A robust database engine with high information security standards.
Reviewed on 25/05/2022
At the moment we have no negative features to add to the product
At the moment we have no negative features to add to the product
Pros
How safe this database engine can be, its integration with other technological tools, say, programming languages, infrastructure, datawarehouse and more
Cons
A bit the price, since the enterprise license is a bit expensive
Reasons for Choosing Microsoft SQL Server
We needed a more robust database engine due to the growth of the company and the processes that are currently being handled, plus the integrations with different platforms.Reasons for Switching to Microsoft SQL Server
We needed a more robust database engine due to the growth of the company and the processes that are currently being handled, plus the integrations with different platforms.- Industry: Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
- Company size: 51-200 Employees
- Used Daily for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Ease of Use
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
The quintessential database server
Reviewed on 25/05/2022
From the administrative point of view, database management is certainly more efficient than in the...
From the administrative point of view, database management is certainly more efficient than in the past, I must say that in some cases we have been able to solve particular data extractions that without the use of the T-SQL language we would not have been able.
Pros
Microsoft has always tried over the years to improve its flagship product, achieving good stability and robustness. For administrators, the management interface is particularly useful and easy to use.
SQL Server has allowed us to manage several databases at the same time from our applications without problems giving the possibility to colleagues to have, for example, always updated sales data.
Cons
Unfortunately I must also report the defects and in this case in my opinion the interface for administrators has become too slow in terms of starting in the latest versions.
Sometimes product updates do not install correctly, even if this rarely happens it can create a general disservice almost always in time of need.
Alternatives Considered
PostgreSQLReasons for Switching to Microsoft SQL Server
Because when it comes to Microsoft products, it's inevitable not to rate them
- Industry: Internet
- Company size: Self Employed
- Used Daily for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support Software
- Likelihood to recommend 7.0 /10
Good RDBMS
Reviewed on 25/06/2022
Pros
Very easy to implement and integrate with other systems.
Cons
MS SQL Server consumes almost all compute resourses
Alternatives Considered
PostgreSQLReasons for Choosing Microsoft SQL Server
CostSwitched From
Oracle Database- Industry: Retail
- Company size: 2-10 Employees
- Used Daily for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support Software
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
A database system that you can trust your data with!
Reviewed on 10/03/2022
I believe we rely on Microsoft SQL Server and its great features and performance a lot. It's our...
I believe we rely on Microsoft SQL Server and its great features and performance a lot. It's our first choice in terms of an RDBMS database and I believe it remains as such for a long time.
Pros
I've been using Microsoft SQL Server since version 2000 and I must say that every year the team behind it adds tons of improvements and great new features that keep this software a fantastic competitor in the market.
The database engine is very clever in optimising your queries, giving insights on improvements and dealing with your complex queries.
Microsoft's TSQL is very easy to understand and very easy to grasp even though in recent years the team have introduced more complex query templates but still it stands out impressively amongst the others.
I also love that they have released the full version as a Developer version where you can try all the software's great features without any cost at all!
Cons
The huge cost difference between the Standard and the Enterprise version is a put off as certain features like table partitioning should be part of the Standard version.
Alternatives Considered
MySQLReasons for Switching to Microsoft SQL Server
The greater community behind it and the performance difference made us go to Microsoft SQL Server as our first choice.
- Industry: Information Technology & Services
- Company size: 11-50 Employees
- Used Daily for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support Software
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
MS SQL Server as our database engine
Reviewed on 12/05/2022
The experience has been great! Since day 1 doing my first query, up to now, many years later, doing...
The experience has been great! Since day 1 doing my first query, up to now, many years later, doing advanced stuff, I am happy for all the support and capabilities we can develop using this tool.
Pros
The language for querying is easy to follow. Also, there is a lot of help available on the web, in order to improve your queries.
A lot of communities also, are ready to assist.
Cons
A bit difficult to get assistance from experts from Microsoft when it comes to really tech issues.
Microsoft SQL Server FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions for Microsoft SQL Server.Q. What type of pricing plans does Microsoft SQL Server offer?
Microsoft SQL Server offers the following pricing plans:
- Starting from: $931.00/one-time
- Pricing model: Free Version
- Free Trial: Available
SQL Server offers a 180-day free trial for new users, after which the software is available across various pricing tiers Enterprise - $13748 Standard (per core) - $3586 Standard (server) - $899 Standard (CAL) - $209 Developer – Available to users for free Express – Available to users for free Additional cost for subscriptions and add-ons include - SQL Server Enterprise - $5434/year SQL Server Standard - $1418/year Big data node cores - $400/year
Q. Who are the typical users of Microsoft SQL Server?
Microsoft SQL Server has the following typical customers:
Self Employed, 2-10, 11-50, 51-200, 201-500, 501-1,000, 1,001-5,000
Q. What languages does Microsoft SQL Server support?
Microsoft SQL Server supports the following languages:
English
Q. Does Microsoft SQL Server support mobile devices?
Microsoft SQL Server supports the following devices:
Q. What other apps does Microsoft SQL Server integrate with?
Microsoft SQL Server integrates with the following applications:
Microsoft Azure, MySQL
Q. What level of support does Microsoft SQL Server offer?
Microsoft SQL Server offers the following support options:
Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base Software, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live rep), Chat
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