We used SQL Server to store all of our lab data on the database. We had a front-end application that needed SQL in the background for archiving all the laboratory data.
Chief Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Stable, straightforward installation, and priced well
Pros and Cons
- "The installation was straightforward. We did not have a large installation and it took a couple of weeks to complete."
- "The solution could improve by having better integration."
What is our primary use case?
What needs improvement?
The solution could improve by having better integration.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Server for approximately three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution could be more stable.
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SQL Server
March 2025

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856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have approximately 200 users that use an application that uses the SQL Servers database.
How was the initial setup?
The installation was straightforward. We did not have a large installation and it took a couple of weeks to complete.
What about the implementation team?
Our IT department does the implementation and maintenance of the solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is an annual license and it is priced reasonably.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution.
I rate SQL Server 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.

Chief Information Officer at a tech consulting company with 51-200 employees
Easy to use, scalable, and reliable
Pros and Cons
- "The main feature of this solution is ease of use."
What is our primary use case?
We use SQL Server for database management.
What is most valuable?
The main feature of this solution is ease of use.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Server within the past 12 months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable and reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
SQL Server has been very scalable.
We have approximately 200 users using the solution in my organization.
How are customer service and technical support?
We are satisfied with the technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I previously used a different solution in the other company I worked for.
What about the implementation team?
We have a hardware support partner who does the implementation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of the solution could be cheaper.
What other advice do I have?
I rate SQL Server 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.
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.
856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.
CEO at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Integrates well with Microsoft tools, but needs better stored procedures integration
Pros and Cons
- "It is integrated with Microsoft tools."
- "The stored procedure integration with our development could be better. Things are always changing very fast at Microsoft, and it takes a lot of resources to get on top of it. We're struggling with version control. In terms of new features, we don't have any feature requests. We are not focusing on the database."
What is our primary use case?
We are using it for accounts payable and accounts receivable automation. We make accounts payable and accounts receivable solutions, and we're using SQL Server as one of the building blocks.
What is most valuable?
It is integrated with Microsoft tools.
What needs improvement?
The stored procedure integration with our development could be better. Things are always changing very fast at Microsoft, and it takes a lot of resources to get on top of it. We're struggling with version control.
In terms of new features, we don't have any feature requests. We are not focusing on the database.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Server for 17 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Its stability is okay.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Its scalability is okay.
How are customer service and technical support?
Their technical support is okay.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is something we have been using for a lot of years. If we're paying, it should be reasonable.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend looking at other solutions. You can also look at the Azure SQL implementation because it is easier to start with.
I would rate SQL Server a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
Data Analyst at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Flexible, stable, with good report and data analysis capabilities
Pros and Cons
- "It's a flexible solution."
- "The installation process should be simplified."
What is our primary use case?
I use this solution as our data warehouse.
We use the reports, data analysis, and for connecting our databases to multiple resources.
What is most valuable?
It's a flexible solution.
What needs improvement?
The installation process should be simplified.
The configuration could be easier.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SQL Server for a couple of months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's a stable solution. We have no issues with the stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have 10 users in our organization who are using this solution.
We have a team made up of engineers, data analysts, and some developers to maintain this solution.
We have plans to increase your usage.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have not contacted technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, I was using MySQL.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is not easy, it could be easier.
It can take many hours to configure it.
What about the implementation team?
I completed the installation myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's a bit expensive.
The licensing is expensive.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend SQL Server 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.
Program Solution Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Simple to install, easy to use, and it is not difficult to find resources to manage it
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to use and easy to perform a backup."
- "In my experience, I've found that scalability can be improved."
What is our primary use case?
My background is primarily in software development, and I use SQL Server among other tools in that capacity. SQL Server was one of the main databases in my previous company, and it is used for storing data from different applications.
What is most valuable?
It is easy to use and easy to perform a backup.
It is easy to find resources that can manage SQL Server.
What needs improvement?
In my experience, I've found that scalability can be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used SQL Server while working for different companies.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have between 40 and 50 applications running on it, which are used by many people.
How are customer service and technical support?
The support from Microsoft is good.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is simple.
What about the implementation team?
We have an in-house team for deployment and maintenance.
One administrator is suitable for managing it.
What other advice do I have?
In summary, this is a good product and I recommend it.
I would rate this solution 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.

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