Last updated on
Company health
Ratings
Microsoft SQL Server description
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.
Who is Microsoft SQL Server best for
Microsoft SQL Server is a robust and reliable database management system suitable for businesses of all sizes. Users praise its powerful querying capabilities and integration with other Microsoft products. However, some find the licensing costs high and the interface resource-intensive. It's ideal for organizations needing to analyze various types of data, especially those already within the Microsoft ecosystem.
-
Ideal for small, medium, and large businesses.
-
A good fit for IT, suitable for various other industries like finance, retail, and healthcare.
Microsoft SQL Server features
| Supported SQL Server offers Data Quality Services (DQS) to monitor and improve data accuracy, completeness, and consistency. |
| Supported SQL Server supports data access control through role-based access, row/column-level security, and data masking. |
| Supported SQL Server supports data access policies through integration with Microsoft Purview. |
| Supported SQL Server supports high availability and scalability through features like AlwaysOn Availability Groups and read-scale. |
| Supported SQL Server offers built-in security like encryption, auditing, and access control, contributing to compliance efforts. |
| Supported SQL Server, especially SSRS, offers robust analytics and reporting tools for data-driven decisions. |
We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software
Value and Pricing Transparency
Customer Service
Ease of Use
Reliability and Performance
Ease of Implementation
Scalability
Microsoft SQL Server reviews
We've summarised 4029 Microsoft SQL Server reviews (Microsoft SQL Server GetApp reviews, Microsoft SQL Server Software Advice reviews, Microsoft SQL Server Capterra reviews and Microsoft SQL Server G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.
- 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.
- 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.
Microsoft SQL Server pricing
The commentary is based on 316 reviews from Microsoft SQL Server Capterra reviews, Microsoft SQL Server G2 reviews, Microsoft SQL Server GetApp reviews and Microsoft SQL Server Software Advice reviews.
Microsoft SQL Server is praised for its robust features, scalability, and performance. However, reviews frequently cite licensing costs as a major concern, particularly for smaller organizations. Despite the price, many users find the investment worthwhile due to its reliability and integration with other Microsoft products.
Users sentiment
Microsoft SQL Server alternatives
PostgreSQLOpen-source, so it's free to use. A better fit for companies prioritizing cost-effectiveness and open-source solutions. Slower performance for certain workloads. Not as tightly integrated with Microsoft products. Growing slower than Microsoft SQL Server.Read more
microsoft-sql-server vs CouchbaseBetter for NoSQL and key-value operations. More suitable for high-performance needs like real-time analytics. Has a more flexible data model. Easier integration with various platforms and SDKs. A Microsoft SQL Server alternative.Read more
microsoft-sql-server vs SnowflakeBetter for large datasets and cloud-based data warehousing. Has stronger momentum in terms of employee growth. Users praise scalability and query features but find the new UI confusing and machine learning features lacking.Read more
SQL Server 2019Better for data analytics and business intelligence. A good SQL Server alternative for smaller to medium-sized databases.Read more
microsoft-sql-server vs SingleStoreBetter for real-time analytics and managing diverse data formats. A stronger fit for finance and technology companies. Has more momentum based on employee growth.Read more
microsoft-sql-server vs Amazon AthenaServerless and pay-per-query, making it potentially more cost-effective for ad-hoc analysis. It has more momentum and is easier to implement. Best for users familiar with SQL and working within the AWS ecosystem. Directly queries data in S3.Read more
Microsoft SQL Server FAQ
What is Microsoft SQL Server and what does Microsoft SQL Server do?
Microsoft SQL Server is a robust database management system suitable for businesses of all sizes. It offers tools for data storage, analysis, reporting, and application development. Key features include high availability, strong security, and integration with other Microsoft products. It's known for its reliability and powerful querying capabilities.
How does Microsoft SQL Server integrate with other tools?
Microsoft SQL Server seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products and services, such as Azure and Power BI, streamlining data analysis and reporting workflows. It also supports various programming languages, giving developers flexibility.
What the main competitors of Microsoft SQL Server?
Top alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server include Snowflake, Amazon Redshift, IBM Db2, and SQL Server 2019. These competitors offer similar database management functionalities, catering to various business needs and data analysis requirements.
Is Microsoft SQL Server legit?
Yes, Microsoft SQL Server is a legitimate and widely used database management system. It's known for its robust security features, high performance, and integration with other Microsoft products. It is a safe and reliable choice for businesses needing to manage and analyze data.
How much does Microsoft SQL Server cost?
Microsoft SQL Server offers several editions with varying pricing. The free Express edition is available for small-scale databases. Paid editions like Standard and Enterprise have pricing based on core licensing, with no specific pricing disclosed publicly. Contact Microsoft for detailed pricing.
Is Microsoft SQL Server customer service good?
Microsoft SQL Server's customer support receives positive feedback. Users highlight the availability of extensive documentation, online resources, and a large community, making it easy to find assistance and resolve issues. While some mention slow responses at times, overall, the support is considered helpful and reliable.
Reviewed by
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.
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.