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Muhammad_Irfan - PeerSpot reviewer
Sr. Network Administrator at ACMC
Real User
Top 5
Stable and easy to use
Pros and Cons
  • "One of the most valuable features of SQL Server is that it's easy to use."
  • "SQL Server could be improved with cheaper licensing because it's very expensive."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use SQL Server as a database management system. 

This solution is deployed on-prem. 

What is most valuable?

One of the most valuable features of SQL Server is that it's easy to use. 

What needs improvement?

SQL Server could be improved with cheaper licensing because it's very expensive. 

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using SQL Server since 2016, so more than five years. 

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This solution is stable. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Before implementing SQL Server, we used Oracle. We switched to SQL Server because it had good integration. 

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward. I was able to handle deployment and maintenance by myself. 

What about the implementation team?

We implemented this solution through an in-house team. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

For licensing, we pay yearly. The licensing is very expensive, and it should be cheaper. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate SQL Server an eight out of ten. I would recommend it to others, as long is it meets their requirements. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1715886 - PeerSpot reviewer
SQL Server Senior Architect at a computer software company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
High performance, easy installation, but better integration needed
Pros and Cons
  • "SQL Server has good performance. It is one of the best features."
  • "SQL Server could improve the integration with nonrational database solutions, such as MongoDB."

What is our primary use case?

SQL Server can be used for managing and storing information.

I have a lot of databases with more than one terabyte of information and we use technology, such as Stretch database to switch out the information to Azure databases with this type of technology.

What needs improvement?

SQL Server could improve the integration with nonrational database solutions, such as MongoDB.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using SQL Server for eight years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

SQL Server has good performance. It is one of the best features.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have approximately 300 instances of SQL Server. 

I have approximately five customers using this solution.

How are customer service and support?

I currently have one ticket open with Microsoft support and I have been waiting about two days. However, it's not a critical incident. The technical support they provide us is good.

How was the initial setup?

In the latest version of SQL Server, Microsoft has split the product. For example, if you want to start with the engine or the reporting server you have to download it separately.  I think that the installation is easier on the new versions. There are other kinds of options that you can set up in the installation progress. For example, the number of 10 DV files or the limit of maximum use of memory.

The installation process takes approximately 10 minutes.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is a license to use this solution. However, the model is not easy to understand. There is a guide you have to read about all the information on how it works. If you read this documentation, you can understand how it works. We are paying for our SQL Servers by CPU cores with an enterprise license.

What other advice do I have?

If a new company wants to implement SQL Server, they need to know that there should be a person who has all the knowledge about DBA position, such as how the SQL Server will be set up because I have a lot of customers and when I checked they have a lot of bad options or practicing in their SQL Servers instance. If someone wants to start with SQL Server, they have to improve and have good knowledge about this technology. It's important to have knowledge about this technology. They should take some courses or maybe have a person who has all the knowledge about this technology with certification, it's the most important. It's not easy to keep up to date with the best practice from a provider, in this case, Microsoft.

I rate SQL Server a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
SQL Server
August 2025
Learn what your peers think about SQL Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
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Veerender Kumar - PeerSpot reviewer
Product Owner at Software Technology
Real User
Top 20
Straightforward installation, easy database access, and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "They have improved the UI and ease of accessing the database and server which is good. You can load it up and start using it from the very minute it is implemented."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use SQL Server to manage and store information.

    What is most valuable?

    They have improved the UI and ease of accessing the database and server which is good.
    You can load it up and start using it from the very minute it is implemented.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using SQL Server for two and a half years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    SQL Server is stable. We have more resources that are using it, I am more familiar with SQL Server. I have been using it for a long time. Most of the time it has been stable.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The solution is scalable.

    We have approximately 30 people in my organization using this solution.

    How are customer service and support?

    The technical support is okay.

    How was the initial setup?

    The installation is straightforward.

    What about the implementation team?

    We have administrators and engineers that do support the solution.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    We are on a monthly subscription and the price could improve. However, the price has worked out well in some deployments. The problem is you never know what kind of services have been installed and you have to be in touch with many people, such as which servers are active or which are not. I did face a couple of issues in terms of subscriptions and the pricing model. They have improved over time.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would recommend this solution to others. My advice to others wanting to implement this solution is you have to consider the industry demand and the benefits or advantages of a solution before you choose, for example, Oracle or Microsoft.

    I rate SQL Server an eight out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Public Cloud
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer1703928 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Enterprise Solutions Architect at a comms service provider with 501-1,000 employees
    Real User
    Good Support, and easy to install
    Pros and Cons
    • "SQL Server scales well."
    • "While this is a reliable product, it has room for improvement."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use SQL Server as a database management system for all of our projects.

    What needs improvement?

    While this is a reliable product, it has room for improvement.

    Although Microsoft SQL was accessible in some projects, we did not use it everywhere. It is determined by the project. It's quite beneficial in some circumstances, but it couldn't support SQL databases in others, consequently, we used other suppliers like Oracle, Informix DB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and others.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We have been using SQL Server for quite some time now.

    We use it both on-premises and in the cloud. It is dependent on the projects.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    SQL Server is a stable solution.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    SQL Server scales well.

    In the future, we may expand our usage.

    How are customer service and support?

    I don't have any issues with the technical support.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We evaluated each product after using it, starting with Informix DB and ending with Oracle.

    Oracle, Informix DB, PostgreSQL, and MySQL are among the products we use.

    How was the initial setup?

    It's quite easy to install.

    Completing the installation is not an issue.

    What about the implementation team?

    My position is not related to installation, but if it is necessary, I am capable of doing it.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    It requires the purchase of a license. Our company's products all have licenses.

    What other advice do I have?

    It is appropriate for small and medium-sized businesses.

    I would recommend this solution to others.

    I would rate SQL Server an eight out of ten.

    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Managing Director at D3
    Real User
    Efficient data retrieval, scalable, and straightforward installation
    Pros and Cons
    • "One of the best features of SQL Server is the efficient retrieval of information."
    • "We want to move to Azure, and the solution could be made better to make the process easier for the migration from on-premise to the cloud."

    What is our primary use case?

    We are using SQL Server for our financial application package.

    What is most valuable?

    One of the best features of SQL Server is the efficient retrieval of information.

    What needs improvement?

    We want to move to Azure, and the solution could be made better to make the process easier for the migration from on-premise to the cloud.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have used SQL Server for approximately seven years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    SQL Server is stable. However, Microsoft products have a tendency to crash. I would rate it a five out of ten in terms of stability.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The scalability of SQL Server is good.

    How was the initial setup?

    The solution is straightforward to install.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The price of SQL Server could be better in the African market. The licensing model needs to be improved, it is confusing.

    What other advice do I have?

    I rate SQL Server an eight out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Senior DBA & IT Consultant at MA Consulting
    Real User
    An easily installable solution which is comparatively easier to manage than Oracle
    Pros and Cons
    • "A valuable feature of the solution is that it is comparatively simpler to manage than Oracle."
    • "Database support could be improved."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use the latest version.

    Most SQL Server applications come with package applications from the shelf. This means that when one buys an application, most of these applications work with SQL Server as a basis. They add SQL Server as a database to applications which come with it that one buys. As such, I don't see many people developing new applications with SQL server.

    What is most valuable?

    A valuable feature of the solution is that it is comparatively simpler to manage than Oracle. Now that the Linux version is an option, this can be taken into consideration, since Windows limited one's use to things which could only be done in Windows. 

    What needs improvement?

    Database support could be improved. Oracle provides better support. 

    While the price of the solution is comparatively cheaper, people are paying to Microsoft, in any event, for other things that they're using. 

    Thoughs the licensing cost could be cheaper, this depends, as there is nobody who only uses the database with Microsoft. Every company has Windows, Office, Active Directory and all the security features of Microsoft. This means that, overall, when one buys these licenses together, he also gets the database. The focus is not on the price of the database, but what is actually being paid to Microsoft. 

    The licensing price could be better, more user-friendly. Things should be be moved from the enterprise to the standard edition. 

    For how long have I used the solution?

    As with Oracle, we have been using SQL Server for a long time. They actually have the same shelf life. We have been using the solution for around 30 years. 

    How are customer service and support?

    The support does not reflect how Microsoft used to be. It can depend. Oracle has a much more sophisticated database, so it comes with expanded support. There are many solutions which come out of the box, as all the problems which could arise have already been encountered by the customers. This is why they are building a big data, to have a ready answer for any issue which may arise, the answer being very quick and straightforward. 

    When it comes to Microsoft, noone delves deep, so such problems as those arising with Oracle are not encountered. Oracle is much more sophisticated and comes with many problems. This is why the solution comes with better support, as they have already provided a foundation for many of the solutions.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We did not use a solution prior to SQL Server, with the exception of, maybe, Access. 

    How was the initial setup?

    The installation is good. 

    It took very little time, a couple hours. 

    What about the implementation team?

    Installation can be done on one's own. Everything can be done sequentially, from one thing to the next. 

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    While the price of the solution is comparatively cheaper, people are paying to Microsoft in any event for other things that they're using.

    Although the licensing cost could be cheaper, this depends, as there is nobody who only uses the database with Microsoft. Every company has Windows, Office, Active Directory and all the security features of Microsoft. This means that, overall, when one buys these licenses together, he also gets the database. The focus is not on the price of the database, but what is actually being paid to Microsoft.

    The licensing price could be better, more user-friendly. Things should be moved from the enterprise to the standard edition.

    What other advice do I have?

    Microsoft is fine. They have done a good job.

    As everyone has a station with Microsoft installed, everybody is making use of it. When it comes to the database, this depends on the application. As I said, we are talking about a package solution, so use of the same application could consist of several hundred people or thousands. 

    I rate SQL Server as a nine out of ten. 

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer909060 - PeerSpot reviewer
    IT Developer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    Performs well for our use case
    Pros and Cons
    • "SQL Server's performance is fine."
    • "SQL Server could integrate better with other platforms."

    What is our primary use case?

    It's a normal DMS, so it can be used everywhere you want to use any RDBMS or relational database. It's for normal transactions.

    What needs improvement?

    SQL Server could integrate better with other platforms.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I've been using SQL Server for the last six months. Earlier we used DB2, but now we use this one.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    SQL Server's performance is fine.

    How are customer service and support?

    Microsoft support is fine.

    How was the initial setup?

    We don't deal with the setup because we are developers. The system or admin team does all those things. So I don't have any idea.

    What other advice do I have?

    I rate SQL Server eight out of 10. We haven't had any issues, but it depends on the use case. So I would recommend it depending on your use case.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises

    If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

    Other
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Sundaresan Subramanyan - PeerSpot reviewer
    Founder and Managing Director at Analytic Brains Technologies Private Limited
    Real User
    Feature-rich databases and user-friendly interface
    Pros and Cons
    • "SQL Server's Management Studio is very user friendly. I like their database and the additional features it offers. It's also easy to integrate SQL Server with things like CLR, PowerShell, and command shell"
    • "I would like to see SQL Server add the ability to write to multiple sites or support replication between multiple sites at the transaction level."

    What is our primary use case?

    SQL Server can be useful for a lot of businesses and enterprise solutions. SQL Server is very powerful and useful when you need to store, retrieve, process, and analyze a large amount of data. In my organization, almost everyone uses SQL Server. That's about 10 people using it.

    What is most valuable?

    SQL Server's Management Studio is very user-friendly. I like their database and the additional features it offers. It's also easy to integrate SQL Server with things like CLR, PowerShell, and command shell

    What needs improvement?

    I would like to see SQL Server add the ability to write to multiple sites or support replication between multiple sites at the transaction level. If we can have data available on multiple sites as quickly as possible, that would be a great feature.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I've been using SQL Server for around 10 years. I have 30 years of experience in the IT industry. In that time, I have worked on different kinds of databases, such as Oracle. Before that, I worked on FoxPro. I have also worked with PostgreSQL.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It's absolutely scalable. 

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Our clients are the end-users of the SQL Server applications, and we do all the development and maintenance for them. So anything related to support, our clients take care of it.

    How was the initial setup?

    I work on the development and performance-tuning side, so I don't do the installation but my guess would be that it is pretty straightforward by now. 

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I am not aware of the cost because our clients take care of them, but I think there are enterprise licenses. If you go for Azure Cloud databases, then you just can pay as you go.

    What other advice do I have?

    SQL Server is my favorite database. Because I've been working on it for so many years, I like it. I have only good things to say about it. I would rate SQL Server nine out of 10.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
    PeerSpot user
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