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Tushar Rahatekar - PeerSpot reviewer
Sr. Systems Analyst at a maritime company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Apr 7, 2022
Low-cost product that does what you want and is easy to set up
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft is less demanding because everything is GUI, unlike Oracle, where you need to use command lines."
  • "SQL is a highly unstable server - there are patch updates on the Windows server every week, which is why we only use it for non-critical systems."

What needs improvement?

Performance-wise, SQL cannot handle large amounts of data. In the next release, I would like them to commission SQL Server on Linux, as has been announced in the past but has not yet happened.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using SQL Server for thirteen to fourteen years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

SQL is a highly unstable server - there are patch updates on the Windows server every week, which is why we only use it for non-critical systems. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was very easy - much, much easier than Oracle - and took about a day to complete. Microsoft is less demanding because everything is GUI, unlike Oracle, where you need to use command lines.

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

This is a very cheap product.

What other advice do I have?

SQL's performance is good enough if you have a low amount of data. For those looking into implementing SQL Server, I would advise first analyzing your requirements and whether your system is critical or non-critical. If it is non-critical, go for SQL as it will save you in terms of cost, but if it is critical, avoid SQL as it will bring you down in one day. I would rate this solution as eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Karol Bura - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Manager at a printing company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Apr 6, 2022
Has good stability
Pros and Cons
  • "We're satisfied with the stability."
  • "We pay a license fee, it could always be cheaper."

What is our primary use case?

This is the main database for our financial system. I'm the IT manager and we are customers of SQL server. 

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using this solution for many years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We're satisfied with the stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have around 100 users. The database isn't used directly, so users are not even aware that there is a SQL Server underneath. 

How are customer service and support?

There are some local companies that have direct relations with Microsoft. We use them regularly when we need some support.

How was the initial setup?

I don't recall, it's been many years since we implemented this product. 

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

We pay a license fee, it could always be cheaper.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend this solution and rate it 10 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.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
SQL Server
December 2025
Learn what your peers think about SQL Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
879,853 professionals have used our research since 2012.
MakhosonkeMatshoba - PeerSpot reviewer
ESM Specialist at a computer software company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Apr 4, 2022
Synchronization of nodes is very useful and there is no downtime for maintenance needs
Pros and Cons
  • "It's great that the nodes are synchronized so if you lose one it automatically moves to another."
  • "Could have additional security."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution to store our data and for running queries, simple select queries that enable me to create the views I need and report from those views. I'm an ESM specialist and we are customers of SQL Server. 

What is most valuable?

I like the stability of the solution, the fact that you have two, three, four nodes replicating at any given time at different locations, and they're all synchronized; if one is lost it automatically moves to another. The other advantage here is that when it comes to application maintenance, you switch onto another node while you maintain another server and there's no downtime. 

What needs improvement?

The solution could have additional security. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is easily scalable because of its flexibility.

How was the initial setup?

I don't do the installation, but it appears straightforward according to those who carried out the implementation. These days deployment takes about an hour. We have 1,200 or so users. With the onboarding of more customers, we'll be increasing our use of SQL Server. For now, we have one person dealing with maintenance. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate this solution nine 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.
PeerSpot user
Craig Kona - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Information Officer at a consultancy with 51-200 employees
Real User
Top 5
Mar 26, 2022
High performance, setup straightforward, but priced high
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of SQL Server is the performance."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use SQL Server for developing systems.

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuable feature of SQL Server is the performance.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using SQL Server for years.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    We have approximately three people who are using this solution.

    How are customer service and support?

    The technical support from Microsoft has been good.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup of SQL Server is straightforward.

    What about the implementation team?

    We have two administrators that did the implementation of the solution.

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

    The price of SQL Server could be reduced, the license is expensive. We have an annual subscription.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would recommend SQL Server to others.

    I rate SQL Server a seven 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
    Mudasir Shafi - PeerSpot reviewer
    Testing Lead at a outsourcing company with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Mar 22, 2022
    Integrates well, good support, and quick deployment
    Pros and Cons
    • "The most valuable features of SQL Server are the speed, great support, and it is from a known vendor."
    • "The security features of the solution could be better."

    What is our primary use case?

    We are using SQL Server for data processing.

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuable features of SQL Server are the speed, great support, and it is from a known vendor.

    What needs improvement?

    The security features of the solution could be better.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have used SQL Server within the past 12 months.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    SQL Server is a scalable solution.

    We have approximately 200 users using this solution. We increase the number of users every year.

    How are customer service and support?

    I have not contacted their technical support.

    How was the initial setup?

    The process for the deployment is straightforward. It takes approximately four hours to complete.

    What about the implementation team?

    We did the implementation of SQL Server in-house. We have eight people managing the solution. The team includes managers, technicians, and administrators.

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

    There is a subscription that needs to be purchased to use the solution.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would advise others this is a good Microsoft 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.
    PeerSpot user
    Senior Systems Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    Top 5
    Mar 22, 2022
    Good usability, satisfactory performance, and easy setup
    Pros and Cons
    • "Its usability is very good. Its performance is satisfactory."
    • "Their support could be better. There should be more visibility on the progress of the ticket, and their last line of support should be more knowledgeable. Other than that, we have nothing to complain about."

    What is our primary use case?

    It is for supporting our custom applications. We have a number of custom applications that we use that have SQL embedded.

    I am using the version before the latest one.

    What is most valuable?

    Its usability is very good. Its performance is satisfactory.

    What needs improvement?

    Their support could be better. There should be more visibility on the progress of the ticket, and their last line of support should be more knowledgeable. Other than that, we have nothing to complain about.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using this solution for seven to eight years.

    How are customer service and support?

    Their support could be better. Sometimes, you don't have much visibility of how your service request is progressing. There should be more visibility, and the last line of support should be more knowledgeable.

    How was the initial setup?

    It was straightforward. It took two to three hours.

    What about the implementation team?

    We have internal staff for its implementation. We have a team of about three or four people who are well-versed with SQL Server, and we have 30 to 40 users who use this solution.

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

    You need to pay for the license. It most probably has per-core licensing.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would recommend this solution to others. We are satisfied with the product in general. Overall, I'd rate it 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
    Miyoba Sichimwi - PeerSpot reviewer
    Information Technology Security Officer at a government with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Top 10
    Mar 20, 2022
    Beneficial support system, highly scalable and reliable
    Pros and Cons
    • "SQL Server is very scalable because we use it across a couple of different types of applications, such as micro-infrastructure setup and server farm."
    • "SQL Server could improve by being more user-friendly, it is still geared towards specialists. Additionally, the monitoring system is difficult to use, not everyone can use it well. The configuration should be able to be done through the GUI."

    What is our primary use case?

    All our databases are using Microsoft SQL. It supports our application, such as HR and finance.

    What needs improvement?

    SQL Server could improve by being more user-friendly, it is still geared towards specialists. Additionally, the monitoring system is difficult to use, not everyone can use it well. The configuration should be able to be done through the GUI.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using SQL Server for approximately 10 years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    SQL Server is highly stable.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    SQL Server is very scalable because we use it across a couple of different types of applications, such as micro-infrastructure setup and server farm.

    The solution is suitable for any environment, such as small, medium, and large enterprises. 

    How are customer service and support?

    SQL Server support system is well-established. It's a Microsoft solution therefore you receive support very easily. It is the number one selling point of SQL Server. I have been highly satisfied with the support.

    How was the initial setup?

    SQL Server's initial setup is simple. However, you must be a specialist to do it. That's the unfriendliness that I see about the solution. It has to be done by an engineer and not any engineer can do it, you have to be a specific Microsoft engineer.

    What other advice do I have?

    My advice to others would be to create a standard for SQL Server to allow a high level of security. What we did is, we adopted CIS, which is the Center for Information Security, hardening standards and benchmarks to keep it secure. SQL Server out of the box comes with a lot of unnecessary services that can make you very vulnerable to any site attack.

    I 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
    System Engineer at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
    Real User
    Mar 19, 2022
    Easy to install, reliable, and reasonably priced
    Pros and Cons
    • "The license fee is very low."
    • "We have no vision. We don't know when or how we have been hacked."

    What is our primary use case?

    SQL Server is only running in China, it is not connected to our site.

    We have some PCs running on Windows 7, but it is not supported.

    What needs improvement?

    We have no vision. We don't know when or how we have been hacked.

    We require expert support with it. That is why I am looking for CRMs.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We have been using SQL Server for one year.

    We use several versions such as 2008, 2012, and 2015.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    SQL Server is stable.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    We are not running more than 1%. Scalability needs improvement.

    We have 415 users in our organization.

    We have plans to increase our usage.

    We have an Active Directory system, so we can install antivirus on the endpoints.

    How are customer service and support?

    Normally, we can check with the deployment person, and our IT team will respond to the message once my team has deployed it.

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

    I have some experience with McAfee MVISION Endpoint. We are focused on the MV1 edition. We have to blend into the EDR.

    McAfee has three editions, MVISION 1, 2, and 6. We are still working with version 1.

    We are also working with Endpoint Plan 1.

    We have 15 servers, both Windows OS and Linux OS.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is not complex.

    We have an in-house IT team that can deploy this solution.

    What about the implementation team?

    We have some people who have worked in IT and with endpoint software. I believe my team is capable of handling the new software, and solutions.

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

    The licenses are purchased annually.

    The license fee is very low.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    I was looking into some solutions to meet our company's needs. Endpoint Protection for Business, McAfee, and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was among the solutions I researched. For endpoint security, I prefer Microsoft Defender or McAfee Endpoint Security.

    Now we're comparing the cost-effectiveness, and especially the features, and giving ourselves the ability to choose the solution, truly enabling a solution.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would recommend this solution to others who are interested in using it.

    I would 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.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free SQL Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: December 2025
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free SQL Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.