--- description: Discover the benefits and disadvantages of Microsoft SQL Server. Learn the software price, see the description, and read the most helpful reviews for UK business users. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress title: Microsoft SQL Server Pricing, Cost & Reviews - Capterra UK 2026 --- Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Database Software](/directory/18/database-management/software) > [Microsoft SQL Server](/software/1417/sql-server) # Microsoft SQL Server Canonical: https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/1417/sql-server Page: 1 / 80\ Next: [Next page](https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/1417/sql-server?page=2) > Database and analysis offering for rapidly delivering the next generation of scalable e-commerce \& line-of-business solutions. > > Verdict: Rated **4.6/5** by 1975 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**. ----- ## Overview ### Who Uses Microsoft SQL Server? Companies of all sizes, looking for database management software ## Quick Stats & Ratings | Metric | Rating | Detail | | **Overall** | **4.6/5** | 1975 Reviews | | Ease of Use | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Customer Support | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Value for Money | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Features | 4.6/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Recommendation percentage | 90% | (9/10 Likelihood to recommend) | ## About the vendor - **Company**: Microsoft - **Location**: Redmond, US - **Founded**: 1975 ## Commercial Context - **Starting Price**: US$13,748.00 - **Pricing model**: Flat Rate (Free version available) (Free Trial) - **Pricing Details**: SQL Server offers a 180-day free trial for new users, after which the software is available across various pricing tiers Enterprise - $13748 Standard (per core) - $3586 Standard (server) - $899 Standard (CAL) - $209 Developer – Available to users for free Express – Available to users for free Additional cost for subscriptions and add-ons include - SQL Server Enterprise - $5434/year SQL Server Standard - $1418/year Big data node cores - $400/year - **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+ - **Deployment & Platforms**: Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Windows (Desktop), Linux (Desktop), Windows (On-Premise), Linux (On-Premise) - **Supported Languages**: English, French - **Available Countries**: France, Italy, United States ## Features - Ad hoc Reporting - Backup and Recovery - Collaboration Tools - Dashboard - Data Connectors - Data Import/Export - Data Replication - Data Synchronisation - Data Visualisation - Multiple Data Sources - Performance Metrics - Predictive Analytics - Reporting & Statistics - Search/Filter - Visual Analytics ## Integrations (5 total) - Microsoft Azure - Microsoft Excel - Microsoft Power BI - Microsoft Visual Studio - MySQL ## Support Options - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat ## Category - [Database Software](https://www.capterra.co.uk/directory/18/database-management/software) ## Related Categories - [Database Software](https://www.capterra.co.uk/directory/18/database-management/software) - [Business Intelligence Platform](https://www.capterra.co.uk/directory/23/business-intelligence/software) ## Alternatives 1. [MySQL](https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/11482/mysql) — 4.6/5 (2094 reviews) 2. [Google Cloud](https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/170983/google-cloud-platform) — 4.7/5 (2269 reviews) 3. [MongoDB](https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/127374/mongodb) — 4.7/5 (469 reviews) 4. [Airtable](https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/146652/airtable) — 4.6/5 (2227 reviews) 5. [Microsoft Access](https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/1015743/microsoft-access) — 4.4/5 (205 reviews) ## Reviews ### "The Database That Keeps You on Your Toes" — 5.0/5 > **Leo** | *9 April 2026* | Import & Export | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10 > > **Pros**: What I liked most? The sense of accomplishment when a query actually runs without error. Nothing beats that sweet, sweet feeling of victory after wrestling SQL Server into submission. > > **Cons**: nstallation feels like prepping for a NASA launch. Typos in SQL = database rage. Random performance swings: cheetah one day, sloth the next. Feature overload can confuse even seasoned DBAs. Cloud integrations are temperamental, like a cat during bath time. Documentation exists… mostly to make you cry. > > Using Microsoft SQL Server is like taming a dragon: infuriating at times, baffling at others, but oddly satisfying when it finally behaves. Powerful, feature-packed, and occasionally a proper headache. ----- ### "A good relational database management tool" — 5.0/5 > **Ajoke** | *10 January 2025* | Information Technology & Services | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: IT serves the purpose of storing all our data no matter how large they are. It is good for database management. > > **Cons**: I have not spotted anything I don't like about this. ----- ### "Sometimes difficult to fault find but generally a stable and reliable product" — 4.0/5 > **Verified Reviewer** | *24 February 2025* | Education Management | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10 > > **Pros**: SQL is the core for a lot of businesses, being widely support by third parties it is a very useful system to run. > > **Cons**: It's not easy to fault find at times with limited tools due to the complexity of some databases. > > We couldn't live without it, it is the heart of all of our systems. ----- ### "Simplification of work" — 5.0/5 > **Abiola** | *6 December 2024* | Insurance | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: In my role as a data analyst, it helped me analyse huge data sets easily > > **Cons**: Can be cumbersome to use until one becomes familiar > > Awesome, makes my life and work very easy ----- ### "Microsoft SQL Review" — 4.0/5 > **Samuel** | *9 August 2024* | Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Recommendation rating: 7.0/10 > > **Pros**: It was a simple and effective tool to ETL data from ERP sources and analyse data outside the system. > > **Cons**: Slightly aged looked, appears to be a bit old and could do with a refresh. > > Generally good, little complaints but it isn't a market leader either. ----- Page: 1 / 80\ Next: [Next page](https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/1417/sql-server?page=2) ## Links - [View on Capterra](https://www.capterra.co.uk/software/1417/sql-server) ## This page is available in the following languages | Locale | URL | | de | | | de-AT | | | de-CH | | | en | | | en-AE | | | en-AU | | | en-CA | | | en-GB | | | en-IE | | | en-IL | | | en-IN | | | en-NZ | | | en-SG | | | en-ZA | | | es | | | es-AR | | | es-CL | | | es-CO | | | es-CR | | | es-DO | | | es-EC | | | es-MX | | | es-PA | | | es-PE | | | fr | | | fr-BE | | | fr-CA | | | fr-LU | | | it | | | ja | | | nl | | | nl-BE | | | pt | | | pt-PT | | ----- ## Structured Data