# Microsoft SQL Server Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra > With the help of Capterra, learn about Microsoft SQL Server Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Database products and more. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server --- # Microsoft SQL Server Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on March 25, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. Independent research methodology Capterra’s researchers use a mix of verified reviews, independent research and objective methodologies to bring you selection and ranking information you can trust. While we may earn a referral fee when you visit a provider through our links or speak to an advisor, this has no influence on our research or methodology. 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[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-we-ensure-transparency/) [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[Users](#users)[Pros and Cons](#pros-cons)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) Microsoft SQL Server ## What is Microsoft SQL Server? Database and analysis offering for rapidly delivering the next generation of scalable e-commerce & line-of-business solutions. ## What is Microsoft SQL Server used for? [Database](https://www.capterra.com/database-management-software/)[Business Intelligence](https://www.capterra.com/business-intelligence-software/) Top alternative Featured Overall rating Based on 1,977 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive 97% Neutral 3% Negative 0% Pros & cons Comprehensive database management tools Consistent performance and uptime Expensive for smaller businesses Complex and costly licensing Starting price $13748 Flat Rate, One Time Free trial available Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for Microsoft SQL Server?[Manage this product listing](https://digitalmarkets.gartner.com/get-listed/claim-bx?url=http://www.microsoft.com&name=Microsoft SQL Server) ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### Microsoft SQL Server 4.6 (1,977) VS. [4.6 (2,227)](https://www.capterra.com/p/146652/Airtable/reviews/) Starting Price $13748 Flat Rate, One Time Starting Price $20 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.3 (1,977) Ease Of Use 4.4 (2,094) Value For Money 4.3 (1,508) Value For Money 4.5 (1,463) Customer Service 4.3 (1,434) Customer Service 4.4 (1,329) ## Microsoft SQL Server alternatives [4.3 (330)](https://www.capterra.com/p/119119/Domo/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 85% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) [4.6 (2,094)](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/reviews/) Starting price $2000.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) Highest Rated [Google Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/268690/Google-Cloud-Platform/) [4.7 (2,274)](https://www.capterra.com/p/268690/Google-Cloud-Platform/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/268690/Google-Cloud-Platform/) [MongoDB](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/) [4.7 (469)](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 99% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/) [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/alternatives/) ## Who uses Microsoft SQL Server? Based on Capterra reviews from the past 3 years Talk to a software expert to get a free software list tailored to your business needs ## Pros and Cons Comprehensive database management tools 93% positive reviews out of 674 Most reviewers describe database management as efficient, scalable, and user-friendly, supporting diverse business requirements. Lana D Support, 1,001 - 5,000 employees. "it leads me easily organize and designed database and store in safe." Expensive for smaller businesses 73% negative reviews out of 233 Most users comment pricing is high compared to alternatives, making it less accessible for smaller organizations. Consistent performance and uptime 99% positive reviews out of 109 Most users report reliability and stability enable uninterrupted operations, efficient data handling, and minimal downtime. Complex and costly licensing 85% negative reviews out of 117 Most users report license and licensing are confusing, expensive, and challenging for smaller organizations to manage. Kayla K Sales engineer, 1,001 - 5,000 employees. "One downside of Microsoft SQL Server is its high licensing costs, which can be prohibitive for smaller businesses." Seamless Microsoft ecosystem integration 93% positive reviews out of 105 Most reviewers indicate integrations with Microsoft products and third-party tools streamline workflows and boost productivity. Juan G IT Consultant, 2 - 10 employees. "It was also able to perform data analysis and visualizations with ease, thanks to integration with other Microsoft products." High resource and memory usage 85% negative reviews out of 84 Most reviewers find memory consumption excessive, often requiring hardware upgrades and causing system slowdowns. ## Features Features with the highest number of reviews are displayed first. Those that have no reviews appear next, sorted alphabetically. Data Storage Management 4.6 (373) 66.76% of 373 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important It gives you robust tools to store, organize, and retrieve large datasets efficiently. Users think SQL Server is flexible, secure, and easy to manage, with support for various data types, partitioning, and seamless integration with cloud and external storage solutions. Backup and Recovery 4.6 (372) 69.89% of 372 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important You benefit from reliable backup and recovery options that protect your data from loss or corruption. Reviewers appreciate the ease of scheduling, multiple backup types, integration with third-party tools, and straightforward restoration, though restoring between versions can be challenging. Performance Analysis 4.4 (264) 58.33% of 264 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important It helps you monitor and optimize database performance using built-in tools like Profiler, DMVs, and tuning advisors. Reviewers indicate these capabilities make troubleshooting and query optimization easier, with fast analysis and actionable reports, though some prefer external tools for advanced needs. Access Controls/Permissions 4.5 (185) 70.27% of 185 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important With Microsoft SQL Server, you can set detailed access levels for users and roles, ensuring only authorized personnel access sensitive data. Reviewers appreciate the granular permissions, integration with Active Directory, and the straightforward process for managing and updating access. Data Migration 4.4 (170) 58.24% of 170 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Microsoft SQL Server offers user-friendly migration tools, including wizards and SSIS integration, to move data between versions or platforms. Some reviewers find migration straightforward and efficient, especially within the Microsoft ecosystem, though large-scale migrations may require more expertise. Data Connectors 4.5 (161) 62.73% of 161 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Connect to big data sources Microsoft SQL Server 31 features With Microsoft SQL Server, you can set detailed access levels for users and roles, ensuring only authorized personnel access sensitive data. Reviewers appreciate the granular permissions, integration with Active Directory, and the straightforward process for managing and updating access. One-off queries made on an as-needed basis Generate one-off reports that meet information requirements Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases Verify the identity of users/devices to enable secure access You benefit from reliable backup and recovery options that protect your data from loss or corruption. Reviewers appreciate the ease of scheduling, multiple backup types, integration with third-party tools, and straightforward restoration, though restoring between versions can be challenging. Compare key metrics for the business against prominent players in the industry Provides a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together Assembly of graphs and charts for visualizing and tracking statistics/metrics Connect to big data sources Stores definitions of the data elements and their relationships (metadata) and how they are retrieved for the user Automatically retrieve and pull information from documents, websites, images, data sets, and other sources Import and export data to and from software applications Track the management and flow of data throughout the organization Microsoft SQL Server offers user-friendly migration tools, including wizards and SSIS integration, to move data between versions or platforms. Some reviewers find migration straightforward and efficient, especially within the Microsoft ecosystem, though large-scale migrations may require more expertise. Process of copying and storing data in more than one site or node It gives you robust tools to store, organize, and retrieve large datasets efficiently. Users think SQL Server is flexible, secure, and easy to manage, with support for various data types, partitioning, and seamless integration with cloud and external storage solutions. Synchronizing data between two or more devices/systems and automatically updating changes to maintain consistency Translate EDI formats into data suitable for use with company applications. Graphical representation of data Search for specific words or phrases within a document or database Allows users to manage data from a number of sources It helps you monitor and optimize database performance using built-in tools like Profiler, DMVs, and tuning advisors. Reviewers indicate these capabilities make troubleshooting and query optimization easier, with fast analysis and actionable reports, though some prefer external tools for advanced needs. A set of indicators that tracks the performance of networks, applications, systems, teams, etc. Predict future data based on historical data sets Database management based on relationships between data Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data Search and filter data across systems to locate required information by entering keywords or certain criteria Access, combine, transform, and store data without the help of an IT department Interact with data visualization elements, such as charts and graphs, to drill down into data Get Advice We can help you find the software with the features you need. Features 4.6 (1,977) 4.6 Based on 1,977 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.3 (1508) Free Trial Free Version [View pricing plan details](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/pricing/) Enterprise $13,748 Flat Rate,One Time Standard - Per Core $3,586 Flat Rate,One Time Standard - Server $899.00 Other,One Time Standard - CAL $209.00 Other,One Time Value for money 4.3 (1,508) 4.3 Based on 1,508 reviews ## Integrations [ Microsoft Excel](https://www.capterra.com/p/176574/Excel/)[ Microsoft Visual Studio](https://www.capterra.com/p/80230/microsoft-visual-studio/)[ MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/)[ Microsoft Azure](https://www.capterra.com/p/16365/Azure/)[ Microsoft Power BI](https://www.capterra.com/p/176586/Power-BI/) Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.3 (1434) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.3 (1,434) 4.3 Based on 1,434 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.6 Based on 1,977 reviews Filter by rating 5(1257) 4(661) 3(55) 2(3) 1(1) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent BS Ben S. Infrastructure Architect Information Technology and Services ### "Microsoft SQL Server is the databse of choice for no-nonsense, fast, and easy to use SQL enviroments." 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 April 28, 2026 I could not say enough good things about Microsoft SQL Server “MSSQL”. It does everything we need and more. Pros Microsoft SQL Server “MSSQL” has been the most stable and capable database I have ever user. In over 30 years I have never had, seen, or even heard of a MSSQL database corruption. The application is easy to use, fast, consistent, and integrates into everything with no problems. Cons The costs for Microsoft SQL Server “MSSQL” can get extreme, but especially when working within K-12 the discounts make it basically free to use. Switched from [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) MySQL could not handle to back up and restores that were required in a production enviroment. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. DS Daniel S. Director of Research and Development Health, Wellness and Fitness ### "Reliable over time" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 1.0 1.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 April 23, 2026 Overall, I really like Microsoft SQL Server because it's grown on me over the years of using it. Our company has learned to rely on it. Pros We use Microsoft SQL Server (via Azure) for our database operations. It's excellent and reliable. My favorite flow is using migrations to do database updates. I've also really gotten used to the syntax compared to postgres. Cons I don't like how difficult it can be to update certain roles for specific ip addresses. Feels like the tools could be a little more helpful. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. LD Leo D. Embedded software test engineer Import and Export ### "The Database That Keeps You on Your Toes" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 April 9, 2026 Using Microsoft SQL Server is like taming a dragon: infuriating at times, baffling at others, but oddly satisfying when it finally behaves. Powerful, feature-packed, and occasionally a proper headache. Pros What I liked most? The sense of accomplishment when a query actually runs without error. Nothing beats that sweet, sweet feeling of victory after wrestling SQL Server into submission. Cons nstallation feels like prepping for a NASA launch. Typos in SQL = database rage. Random performance swings: cheetah one day, sloth the next. Feature overload can confuse even seasoned DBAs. Cloud integrations are temperamental, like a cat during bath time. Documentation exists… mostly to make you cry. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. TB Tyler B. Tier Two Technician Computer & Network Security ### "SQL - The backbone of database management" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 March 27, 2026 My experience and work with SQL server is primarily administration and support. However, scheduled SQL backups are also very important and are easily managed. Pros SQL is basically the backbone if you want to run any proper databases and host it across several platforms. It integrates quite seamlessly with cloud applications, can be easy to use and features many use cases across multiple fields Cons Schooling and training are definitely required in order to properly manage and administer SQL Serve and advanced databases. But it is an extremely powerful and necessary tool for self hosted platforms and databases Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AU Anonymous User Product owner Information Technology and Services ### "A Robust Platform for Business-Critical Data" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 February 28, 2026 Overall, it's reliable, powerful, and enterprise-focused,great BI ecosystem strong query capabilitie Pros stable enterprise environment ,Perfect for systems like finance, insurance, and reporting databases. Cons Enterprise edition can be expensive because of licensing, software assurance ,high ability features. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AU Anonymous User Software Developer Health, Wellness and Fitness ### "Overall good experience" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 February 14, 2026 Overall good product with only minor cons of time required to learn for beginners and and some improvements to UI would be good. Pros Great choice for relational database management system. My first choice when learning database management server deployment. Cons Only minor cons such as learning curve for new to SQL Server Databases. May require significant time investment. User interface could use a little bit of improvment. Alternatives considered [MongoDB](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/) Reasons for choosing Microsoft SQL Server No reason other than experiencing and learning a different database server system. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AU Anonymous User Data Engineer Computer Software ### ""A Robust and Scalable Database Solution for Enterprise Data Management"" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 February 3, 2026 "My experience with Microsoft SQL Server has been very positive, especially for building and managing complex data architectures. It is a powerful, enterprise-grade RDBMS that offers high stability, advanced query optimization, and excellent data security features for professional workflows." Pros "Excellent performance with large datasets and highly reliable security features. I particularly like the seamless integration with other Microsoft tools and the robust SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) for database administration." Cons "The licensing costs can be quite high for smaller businesses. Additionally, it requires significant system resources to run smoothly compared to some lightweight alternatives." Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AF Adashia F. Owner Health, Wellness and Fitness ### "This server does what it needs to do. Muti-factor Authentication can be a pain though." 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 February 2, 2026 This server does what it needs to do. Muti-factor Authentication can be a pain, though. Once you get past that, this is a decent tool to use. Pros VALUE FOR MONEY - great CUSTOMER SUPPORT EASE OF USE - decent DATABASE MANAGEMENT - great DATA MANAGEMENT - great PERFORMANCE AND SPEED - decent LICENSE AND LICENSING Cons The Multi-factor Authentication on all Microsoft products can really be a pain more than a help. I would use Microsoft products more if that was not an issue. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Suraj D. Senior AI engineer Computer Software ### "Best database tool in the market" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 January 29, 2026 Very positive. Given little bit of changes it is the best tool I used for the databases. It is a very reliable system. Pros Microsoft SQl server is widely used too and it makes the support and maintenance better. Also handling queries and maintaining data is easier in the Microsoft SQL server. Cons It is a bit slow to handle billions of rows. Also it is not evolved into the vector databases. The UI could be improved. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. DS David S. VP of Technology Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing ### "Tried and true SQL Server that works well with other Microsoft apps." 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 3.0 3.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 December 4, 2025 Used MS SQL Server with our Aptean Made 2 Manage ERP system as it is part of the software's requirements. A third party contractor assisting us with the ERP installation also assisted with the SQL setup. However, we have managed the SQL server internally for over 15 years. Have even migrated from older versions to newer versions without a hiccup. Pros Ease of use with current ERP system (Aptean Made 2 Manage V. 7.51). Works well with MS Report Builder and Power Query within Excel. Cons There is a steep learning curve for non-SQL and non-database users. It's a skillset that is not standard, but necessary for any database management. Alternatives considered [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/246666/Cloud-SQL/) Reasons for choosing Microsoft SQL Server Ease of use across Microsoft Apps environment. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. [View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/reviews/) ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. Popular comparisons [MySQL vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-11482/SQL-Server-vs-MySQL)[Google Cloud vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-268690/SQL-Server-vs-Google-Cloud-Platform)[MongoDB vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-127374/SQL-Server-vs-MongoDB)[Airtable vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-146652/SQL-Server-vs-Airtable)[Microsoft Access vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-233275/SQL-Server-vs-Microsoft-Access)[PostgreSQL vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-48791/SQL-Server-vs-PostgreSQL)[Oracle Database vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-5938/SQL-Server-vs-Oracle-Database)[Amazon RDS vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-192201/SQL-Server-vs-Amazon-RDS) [DbVisualizer vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-197030/SQL-Server-vs-DbVisualizer)[Universal Data Access Components vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-250786/SQL-Server-vs-Universal-Data-Access-Components)[SQL Complete vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-233932/SQL-Server-vs-SQL-Complete)[Tableau vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-208764/SQL-Server-vs-Tableau)[Domo vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-119119/SQL-Server-vs-Domo)[Grow vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-136247/SQL-Server-vs-Grow)[dbForge Studio for MySQL vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-239795/SQL-Server-vs-dbForge-Studio-for-MySQL)[MariaDB vs Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-132005/SQL-Server-vs-MariaDB)  Independent research methodology Capterra's researchers use a mix of verified reviews, independent research and objective methodologies to bring you selection and ranking information you can trust. While we may earn a referral fee when you visit a provider through our links or speak to an advisor, this has no influence on our research or methodology. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/) How Capterra verifies reviews Capterra carefully verified over 2.5 million+ reviews to bring you authentic software experiences from real users. Our human moderators verify that reviewers are real people and that reviews are authentic. They use leading tech to analyze text quality and to detect plagiarism and generative AI. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-we-verify-reviews/) How Capterra ensures transparency Capterra lists all providers across its website—not just those that pay us—so that users can make informed purchase decisions. Capterra is free for users. Software providers pay us for sponsored profiles to receive web traffic and sales opportunities. Sponsored profiles include a link-out icon that takes users to the provider's website. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-we-ensure-transparency/)