SQL Server vs Microsoft SQL Server

The corporate database that loves Windows and hates your budget meets the enterprise database that loves windows more than your it department loves stability. Here's our take.

SQL Server

Nice Pick

The corporate database that loves Windows and hates your budget.

Pros

• Excellent integration with Microsoft ecosystem (e.g., .NET, Azure)
• Strong security and compliance features out of the box
• Powerful business intelligence tools like SSRS and SSAS

Cons

• Licensing costs can be eye-watering for enterprise use
• Limited cross-platform support (primarily Windows-focused)

Microsoft SQL Server

The enterprise database that loves Windows more than your IT department loves stability.

Pros

• Seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem (e.g., Azure, .NET, Power BI)
• Robust enterprise features like Always On availability groups and in-memory OLTP
• Excellent performance for transaction-heavy workloads with strong ACID compliance

Cons

• Licensing costs can be eye-watering for small teams or startups
• Historically Windows-centric, though Linux support is improving but still second-class

The Verdict

Use SQL Server if: You want excellent integration with microsoft ecosystem (e.g., .net, azure) and can live with licensing costs can be eye-watering for enterprise use.

Use Microsoft SQL Server if: You prioritize seamless integration with the microsoft ecosystem (e.g., azure, .net, power bi) over what SQL Server offers.

The Bottom Line

SQL Server wins

The corporate database that loves Windows and hates your budget.