We are using it for various applications.
Senior Systems Engineer at a energy/utilities company with 201-500 employees
It is easy to deploy and easy to maintain, but they should provide faster support
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to deploy and easy to maintain."
- "They need to improve their support. It should be faster."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
It is easy to deploy and easy to maintain.
What needs improvement?
They need to improve their support. It should be faster.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using it for a couple of years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable. We have more than a thousand users who use this solution. It is being used heavily, and we don't have any plans to increase its usage.
How are customer service and support?
Their support needs improvement. It should be faster.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't use any other solution previously. We have been using it for a long time.
How was the initial setup?
It was easy.
What about the implementation team?
I can install it myself. We also have a technical team of three admins.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Its licensing is yearly. There are no additional costs. There is only the subscription license.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others. I would rate it a seven out of 10.
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.

Technical Content Writer at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
Reliable with a simple setup but requires a knowledgable user
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is stable. It's reliable."
- "The scalability could be better."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution to store databases.
What is most valuable?
Since MongoDB, we have come up and there are lots of tools that do enhance the database management system or keep an eye on our data. People can easily access it.
The solution is stable. It's reliable.
The initial setup is simple.
What needs improvement?
MongoDB is a bit better. A traditional database system, like the SQL Server, is failing to catch up.
You need an experienced person to use that piece of technology so that you can store everything in a logical manner. We'd like it to be easier to store in a logical manner.
The scalability could be better.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using this solution since 2012. It's been a while at this point.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's not scalable. It hinders your performance as it's slow in nature and you need experienced people to work on it. That is why it's not very scalable.
We currently have ten to 15 users on the solution.
At this time, we have no plans to increase usage. We are focusing more on MongoDB.
How are customer service and support?
We don't have any experience with Microsoft technical support. Therefore, I wouldn't be able to rate how responsive or helpful they are.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not previously use a different solution. We are currently moving towards MongoDB, however.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is easy, especially since the new version has come up. Now, with the latest versions, installation is easy.
I cannot remember the time it took to complete the installation.
What about the implementation team?
Earlier, we had to bring in a technical team, however, our own technical team is quite experienced now. They can now do it themselves.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay a yearly subscription fee.
What other advice do I have?
We use both cloud and on-premises deployment models. We're using the latest version of the solution.
I'd recommend the solution to other users and organizations. If there are people who can't afford MongoDB or if an organization doesn't want to migrate to MongoDB, it's important to keep in mind the users would have to learn the fundamentals of the SQL server first. Knowledge of it is a necessity.
I'd rate the solution at a six 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.
Buyer's Guide
SQL Server
March 2025

Learn what your peers think about SQL Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
857,028 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Data Analyst
Its lead and lag functions have helped us reduce a lot of code needed when comparing rows
Pros and Cons
- "I love SQL Server's Common Table Expression. In addition to that, I like its lead and lag functions. That helped us reduce a lot of code when comparing rows in SQL Server."
- "The way SQL Server pivots data could be improved. For example, I would like built-in comma-separated pivot and unpivot functions."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use SQL Server for reporting.
What is most valuable?
I love SQL Server's Common Table Expression. In addition to that, I like its lead and lag functions. That helped us reduce a lot of code when comparing rows in SQL Server.
What needs improvement?
The way SQL Server pivots data could be improved. For example, I would like built-in comma-separated pivot and unpivot functions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been working with SQL Server for the past seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
SQL Server is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
SQL Server is scalable. I can't say if we'll increase usage in the future because I'm only working here as an analyst. It's a company decision. If necessary, then I can make a recommendation. I can go for that if the client wants, so it depends entirely on our client. If the client wants Oracle instead of Microsoft, I don't have an option.
How are customer service and support?
I never contacted Microsoft support about SQL Server, but I have called about Power BI one or two times. It was great support.
What other advice do I have?
I rate SQL Server eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Deputy Manager at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Helpful support, scales to our requirements, and handles our critical applications
Pros and Cons
- "I have contacted technical support, and overall my experience with technical support was okay."
- "I would like to see improvements made to the stability of SQL Server, as well as more analytics requirements."
What is our primary use case?
We are business consults. We use SQL Server to ensure that critical applications remain operational by performing BCM activities across application and database servers.
What is most valuable?
SQL Server has scaled as per our requirements.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see improvements made to the stability of SQL Server, as well as more analytics requirements.
For how long have I used the solution?
From a restoration perspective, I have been working with SQL Server for a few years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of the SQL Server needs improvements.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have over 2,000 users in our organization.
How are customer service and support?
I have contacted technical support, and overall my experience with technical support was okay.
How was the initial setup?
The installation took a few days to complete.
We have a team of three or four admins to maintain this solution.
What about the implementation team?
We had assistance from an integrator.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Licensing fees are paid on a yearly basis.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We were evaluating other solutions for a specific requirement in our organization. The requirement is now complete.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others who are interested in using it.
I would 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.
System Architect, SCRUM Product Owner at a tech company with 10,001+ employees
Easy to use, scalable, and reliable
Pros and Cons
- "I have found SQL Server easy to use."
- "SQL Server could improve by having better usability or user guidance."
What is our primary use case?
SQL Server is used for storing data.
What is most valuable?
I have found SQL Server easy to use.
What needs improvement?
SQL Server could improve by having better usability or user guidance.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Server for approximately five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable and the performance is good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
SQL Server is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I have not needed to contact support.
How was the initial setup?
The implementation was done by our IT department.
What about the implementation team?
We did the implementation in-house.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of the solution is fine.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others.
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.
Technical Systems Support Manager at a hospitality company with 201-500 employees
Has a reliable database
Pros and Cons
- "The solution has a reliable database."
- "Microsoft support is an issue unto itself."
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using SQL Server for more than 10 or 15 years.
How are customer service and support?
Microsoft support is an issue unto itself. We mainly benefit from common support, such as a forum or Microsoft support, of which I don't have that much experience.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
As with Oracle Database, the solution has a reliable database. I do not see much difference between the two when it comes to usage and the program decision to use one solution over another varies with the appropriateness of a given product, some utilizing Oracle, others Scale.
What other advice do I have?
I am an SQL partner.
As with Oracle, SQL Server is deployed on private cloud.
I rate SQL Server as a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Sr. Solution Architect at a computer software company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Easy-to-use interface for building queries
Pros and Cons
- "The interface for building the queries or writing the store procedures is good."
- "Additional interfaces would be an improvement."
What is our primary use case?
SQL Server is the database for the transactional database that is being used.
The solution can be used for the BI, the data warehouse part as well, but mostly I have seen it used for the transaction data being stored by the DBMS part of it.
What is most valuable?
The solution is very easy to use, because even the technical engineers that we get are able to use it more efficiently. I like the programming interface they have where they help us get the table names that we are dealing with, and the field names in that particular table.
The interface for building the queries or writing the store procedures is good.
What needs improvement?
If I compare the solution with current technology needs, like NoSQL, that have been prevailing now, they could improve it so there could be a single solution, where we could deal with a single database for both transactional as well as for the in-memory needs that we have.
For the integration part, additional interfaces would be an improvement. If SQL Server could expose certain APIs or certain interfaces which can be used for integration with the warehouse solution, then it would be great.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How was the initial setup?
The team needed for implementing the solution depends on the project size and functionalities needed. But as far as the DB administrator, generally, we use a single resource for each project. One database engineer is sufficient for optimizing the query or indexes or building any database scripts.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate the solution an eight out of ten.
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
CEO at netison
Simple to use and in demand among our customers
Pros and Cons
- "SQL Server is widely used and it's simple. You cannot do without Microsoft if you want to manage IT for a business customer."
What is our primary use case?
We manage backups for our customers, so we are not developers and we don't use SQL to provide a service. We are a managed service provider focused more on IT support and SQL configuration. So we don't use SQL as a product by ourselves. Instead, we provide instructions for how to back up SQL and do maintenance on it for our customers who need a SQL server for their CRM and ERP products. Their products need to have a SQL server to use in order to use their services. So we handle the maintenance for our customers.
What is most valuable?
Microsoft has a very broad landscape of products that they provide—almost everything that you need. SQL Server is widely used and it's simple. You cannot do without Microsoft if you want to manage IT for a business customer. And even if you don't like Microsoft, you should know how to use it because just about every customer uses Microsoft, so you have to use it. So it doesn't matter if I like it. It's everywhere, so you have to know how to use it.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Microsoft SQL Server for 25 years now.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We are a reseller of Microsoft. We also signed the SPLA agreement, which stands for Services Provider License Agreement. So we are able to use Microsoft products in our data center in order to provide cloud services to our customers.
What other advice do I have?
I rate SQL Server nine out of 10.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

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