Vetted Score
4.6
/ 5.0
Scored 4.6/5 due to its enterprise features, broad ecosystem, and strong performance, while licensing complexity slightly lowers the rating.
Key Features
Advanced Analytics & Reporting
Integrated tools like SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and Analysis Services for deep data insights.
High Availability & Disaster Recovery
Always On Availability Groups and Failover Clustering ensure continuous uptime and data protection.
Robust Security
Transparent Data Encryption, Row-Level Security, and Auditing safeguard sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Express edition is free but limited to 10 GB database size and fewer CPU cores.
Since SQL Server 2017, full-featured editions are supported on major Linux distributions.
Standard and Enterprise editions can be licensed per core or via Server + CAL, with pricing varying by deployment size.
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Specifications
Pricing Model
Free Express edition is available, while Standard and Enterprise editions require per-core or server+CAL licensing, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand USD.
Supported Platforms
Windows ServerLinuxDocker