

SQL Server and IBM Db2 compete in the database management system category, with each offering unique strengths. SQL Server holds an advantage in community support and versatility due to built-in integration and reporting services. IBM Db2 stands out in security and cross-platform support, making it favorable for environments needing high stability.
Features: SQL Server's dynamic resource allocation and graphical query analyzer enhance user management and performance. Its OLAP capabilities support medium-sized enterprises with data warehousing needs. IBM Db2 offers robust security and self-tuning memory management, which optimize performance with less human intervention. Its cross-platform support enhances flexibility for diverse workloads.
Room for Improvement: SQL Server should boost platform compatibility and data encryption while addressing licensing costs. IBM Db2 users would benefit from a simpler interface, improved scalability, and easier integration with other platforms. Enhancements in performance monitoring and upgrade processes are needed for IBM Db2.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SQL Server is adaptable to cloud and on-premises setups but faces some criticism for declining support quality. IBM Db2 supports various deployment models but could modernize its support methods for improved deployment ease. Both platforms offer reliable support, with SQL Server's online resources being more extensive.
Pricing and ROI: SQL Server is cost-efficient, especially for small and medium enterprises, despite a complex licensing structure. In contrast, IBM Db2's higher cost is justified by its robust feature set and performance, particularly in high-load environments. Pricing remains a consideration, with ROI differing based on project scale.
All applications need our repository to provide services for our online business or our customers, so the return is good.
We normally receive substantial discounts on the price.
When we created support tickets, the experience was very positive.
The server where we installed it has grown from 64 gigabytes in RAM to 256 gigabytes, demonstrating significant scalability capabilities.
It might be slightly slower than other database vendors, but it works well since banks typically do not move quickly with leading-edge technology.
I would appreciate using Microsoft Pro as it can integrate with Excel or, with a simple query, consume information from the database using Microsoft Excel.
When we consider the price for replication in another site, the pricing becomes prohibitive.
IBM Db2 Database, because of enterprise performance and support, is why banks still maintain their relationship with it.
The IBM Db2 Database is trusted, and IT effort is less than any other product.
I have been working with SQL Server for a long time, and it works well for me as I am using it in different applications, such as web applications, Windows applications, or the data warehouse reporting.
For disaster recovery features supporting mission-critical applications in our organization, we have implemented the high availability feature of SQL Server.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| SQL Server | 14.6% |
| IBM Db2 Database | 7.3% |
| Other | 78.1% |


| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 20 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 13 |
| Large Enterprise | 48 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 121 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 58 |
| Large Enterprise | 112 |
SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) by Microsoft. The product's main purposes are to store data and retrieve it as requested by other software applications - on the same computer or on another computer across a shared network. The solution is built on top of Structured Query Language (SQL), which is a standardized programming language used for relational database management.
The product is tied to Transact-SQL (T-SQL), which is an implementation of SQL from Microsoft that adds several proprietary programming extensions to the standard language. SQL Server is built similarly to other RDBMS products, as its structure is a row-based table that connects related data elements in different tables to one another. One of its most important components is the SQL Server Database Engine, as it controls data processing, storage, and security. Beneath the Database Engine is the SQL Server Operating System, which is used for memory and I/O management, locking data to avoid unneeded upgrades, and job scheduling.
The solution has four editions with different sets of services and tools. They include:
The first two are available for free and are typically utilized by smaller companies, as they work with fewer functions and storage. The second two editions are generally used by bigger organizations and enterprises and offer more features.
The solution has several functions through which users can facilitate different data-related processes. These include:
SQL Server Services
SQL Server has a wide range of add-on services that provide additional benefits beyond database management. These services include:
SQL Server Benefits
The solution has many benefits for users. These include the following:
Reviews from Real Users
A president at a consultancy evaluates SQL Server as a veteran solution with critical log shipping feature.
Harkamal S., a user at a manufacturing company, rates SQL Server with a high mark because it is a stable, scalable, and easy-to-deploy solution that pretty much covers everything.
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