MySQL vs Microsoft SQL Server

by Gralio Feb 27, 2025

MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server are both robust database solutions catering to different needs. MySQL excels in cost-effectiveness and flexibility, while SQL Server prioritizes advanced features, performance, and integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. Choose MySQL if cost is a primary concern and you have in-house expertise. Opt for SQL Server if performance, scalability, and business intelligence capabilities are paramount, and budget is less of a constraint.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 5660 reviews and 60 websites, saving 1 day, 7 hours, 56 minutes of reading.

Logo of MySQL
Logo of Microsoft SQL Server

About

MySQL is the world's most popular open-source relational database. It's a reliable and robust system used by companies of all sizes to store and manage data. MySQL offers a range of solutions from free downloads to enterprise-level packages with advanced features and support. Known for its flexibility and performance, MySQL is a popular choice for web applications, data analysis, and more.
Microsoft SQL Server is a database management system for businesses of all sizes. It helps you analyze various types of data and can be used in multiple environments, including on your servers and in the cloud. SQL Server offers high performance and strong security features. It allows developers to build applications using different programming languages and provides mobile business intelligence tools.

Summary

Main difference
MySQL is a robust, open-source database ideal for businesses seeking cost-effective solutions and comfortable managing their own infrastructure. Microsoft SQL Server is better suited for enterprises needing advanced features, tight integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, and robust business intelligence tools, especially if they value customer support and are less price-sensitive.

Relative strengths of MySQL (compared to Microsoft SQL Server)

  • Open-source and free, offering significant cost savings compared to proprietary solutions like SQL Server.

  • Large and active community provides ample support and resources.

  • Cross-platform compatibility allows for flexible deployment options.

Relative weaknesses of MySQL (compared to Microsoft SQL Server)

  • Can have performance limitations with very large datasets or complex queries compared to SQL Server.

  • Advanced features and support require paid subscriptions.

  • Limited built-in business intelligence tools compared to SQL Server's integration with tools like Power BI.

What companies are using MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server?

Sony is a customer
Sony
Toss Bank is a customer
Toss Bank
The Boeing Company is a customer
The Boeing Company
Great HealthWorks is a customer
Great HealthWorks
Brown University Entrepreneurship Program is a customer
Brown University Entrepreneurship Program
Welcome is a customer
Welcome
BSEF is a customer
BSEF
WePay is a customer
WePay
guard.me International Insurance is a customer
guard.me International Insurance
Inpeco is a customer
Inpeco
TV Asahi is a customer
TV Asahi
ST Engineering is a customer
ST Engineering
UL Solutions is a customer
UL Solutions
Uber is a customer
Uber
University of Toronto is a customer
University of Toronto
Airbus is a customer
Airbus
Square is a customer
Square
Northrop Grumman is a customer
Northrop Grumman
No data

Who should use MySQL VS. Microsoft SQL Server

MySQL is a popular open-source database known for its ease of use and strong community support. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness and cross-platform compatibility. However, some find its performance with large datasets lacking and advanced features require a steeper learning curve.

Microsoft SQL Server is a reliable database management system praised for its robust data storage, powerful querying, and seamless integration with other Microsoft products. However, some users find the licensing costs high and the management studio resource-intensive. It's ideal for businesses seeking a comprehensive data solution integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem.

  • Ideal for businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprises.

  • A versatile database suitable for various sectors, including e-commerce, finance, and software.

  • Ideal for businesses of all sizes needing robust data analysis.

  • Strong fit for software, IT, and telecommunications; applicable across various sectors.

MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server features

Supported
Partially supported
Not supported
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

  • HeatWave
    Supported

    MySQL HeatWave is a separate service built upon MySQL Enterprise Edition.

    Not supported

    Heatwave is not supported by Microsoft SQL Server.

  • MySQL Enterprise Edition
    Supported

    MySQL Enterprise Edition offers advanced features for scalability, security, reliability, and uptime.

    Not supported

    SQL Server and MySQL Enterprise Edition are distinct systems.

  • MySQL for OEM/ISV
    Supported

    MySQL supports embedding for OEMs, ISVs, and VARs, improving competitiveness and time to market.

    Not supported

    SQL Server does not support embedding like MySQL.

  • SQL Support
    Supported

    MySQL supports SQL queries for data manipulation and retrieval.

    Supported

    Microsoft SQL Server supports executing SQL queries.

  • SQL support
    Supported

    MySQL uses SQL for querying and managing data.

    Supported

    SQL Server supports querying data using SQL.

  • T-SQL support
    Partially supported

    MySQL does not support T-SQL, but SQL Server can query MySQL data via linked servers.

    Supported

    Microsoft SQL Server fully supports T-SQL for database queries.

Qualities

  • Value and Pricing Transparency
    +1
    Strongly positive sentiment
    -0.33
    Rather negative sentiment
  • Customer Service
    No data
    +0.8
    Strongly positive sentiment
  • Ease of Use
    +0.85
    Strongly positive sentiment
    +0.71
    Strongly positive sentiment
  • Reliability and Performance
    +0
    Neutral sentiment
    +0.55
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Ease of Implementation
    +0.78
    Strongly positive sentiment
    +0
    Neutral sentiment
  • Scalability
    +0.25
    Neutral sentiment
    +0.47
    Rather positive sentiment

MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server Pricing

No data

See full Pricing page

No data
We couldn't find a pricing page for Microsoft SQL Server.

MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server review insights

Users love

  • Open-source and free, offering cost savings.
  • Easy to use and implement for basic database operations.
  • Large and active community provides ample support.
  • Cross-platform compatibility ensures flexibility.
  • Robust and reliable for data storage and management.
  • Powerful querying capabilities.
  • Easy integration with other Microsoft products and services (e.g., Azure, Power BI).
  • User-friendly interface with SQL Server Management Studio.
  • Large and supportive community.

Users dislike

  • Slow performance with large datasets or complex operations.
  • Occasional localhost connection issues.
  • Limited advanced analytics and data warehousing capabilities.
  • Learning curve can be steep for advanced features.
  • High licensing costs for enterprise edition.
  • SQL Server Management Studio can be slow and resource intensive.
  • Limited JSON support in older versions.
  • Complex installation and configuration process.
  • Limited compatibility with non-Microsoft platforms.

MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server Ratings

  • G2
    4.4/5
    (1631)
  • Glassdoor
    3.8/5
    (55087)
  • G2
    4.4/5
    (2187)
  • Capterra
    4.6/5
    (1852)

Company health

Employee growth

5% increase in the last year
3% increase in the last year

Web traffic

7% decrease in the last quarter
11% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

May 1991 - $0
No data

How does each product's SQL implementation affect complex query performance?

MySQL's open-source nature allows for extensive community support and optimization, potentially benefiting complex query performance. However, users have reported slow performance with large datasets or complex operations. Microsoft SQL Server, with its mature query optimizer and advanced features like columnstore indexes, is generally considered better equipped for handling complex queries efficiently, especially with large datasets. However, the cost of licensing can be a factor.

Which product best integrates with existing Microsoft-centric infrastructure?

Microsoft SQL Server (Product B) is the better choice for integration with an existing Microsoft-centric infrastructure. Its close integration with other Microsoft products and services, such as Azure and Power BI, simplifies data sharing and analysis within the Microsoft ecosystem.

What are the advantages of MySQL?

MySQL's advantages include being open-source and free, offering significant cost savings compared to commercial database systems like Microsoft SQL Server. It's known for its ease of use, especially for basic database operations, and has a large, active community providing ample support. MySQL also boasts cross-platform compatibility.

What are the disadvantages of MySQL?

MySQL's disadvantages include slower performance with large datasets or complex queries, occasional localhost connection issues, and limited advanced analytics capabilities compared to specialized data warehousing solutions. Additionally, mastering its advanced features can present a steeper learning curve for some users.

Alternatives to MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server

Logo of PostgreSQL
mysql vs PostgreSQL
Powerful open-source database for reliable data storage and management.
Read more
Logo of MariaDB
mysql vs MariaDB
Open-source database: fast, reliable, and a drop-in MySQL replacement.
Read more
Logo of Microsoft Access
mysql vs Microsoft Access
Desktop database for organizing and reporting on information easily.
Read more
Logo of MongoDB
mysql vs MongoDB
Flexible document database handles large, evolving datasets with ease.
Read more
Logo of Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database
Managed cloud SQL server, scales with your app, simple and secure.
Read more
Logo of SQLite
mysql vs SQLite
Serverless database syncing data across devices and servers.
Read more
Page co-authored by
MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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