# Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) vs Microsoft SQL Server Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Amazon RDS excels in simplifying database management, with features like automated backups and point-in-time recovery that significantly reduce operational overhead. Users appreciate how it allows them to focus on application development rather than infrastructure management.
- **Users say** Microsoft SQL Server is particularly strong in handling enterprise-level capabilities, making it a preferred choice for organizations dealing with high data volumes. Reviewers highlight its robust performance tuning and security features, which are essential for maintaining data integrity in large-scale environments.
- **According to verified reviews** , Amazon RDS stands out for its ease of setup, with many users noting the intuitive onboarding process that facilitates quick implementation. This is a significant advantage for teams looking to minimize downtime during deployment.
- **Reviewers mention** that Microsoft SQL Server's query optimizer and execution plans make performance tuning more manageable, allowing users to understand and optimize their queries effectively. This feature is particularly beneficial for teams that rely on complex data operations.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that Amazon RDS's Multi-AZ deployments provide seamless failover capabilities, enhancing availability and disaster recovery. This feature is crucial for businesses that require high uptime and reliability in their database operations.
- **Users report** that while both products have strong security features, Microsoft SQL Server offers a more mature ecosystem for database management, which includes advanced data manipulation and access control capabilities. This makes it a solid choice for organizations prioritizing data security and compliance.



---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Amazon Relational Database... vs MS SQL?

Amazon Relational Database Service stands out for its higher G2 rating, stronger Ease of Setup, and Mid-Market focus, while MS SQL is rated slightly lower and is more Enterprise-oriented.

| [Amazon Relational Database...](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) | [MS SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.5/5 (909 reviews) | 4.4/5 (2287 reviews) |
| Mid-Market | Enterprise |
| 8.9 | 8.1 |
| 8.6 | 8.3 |
| Scalability | Performance |



### How do the pricing models of Amazon Relational Database... and MS SQL compare?

Amazon Relational Database Service is rated higher for value, with a stronger Price/Cost satisfaction score than MS SQL.

- **Amazon Relational Database Service:** In recent reviews, many cite high costs but also highlight the value of automation and scalability, with 34 all-time mentions of expense balanced by operational savings.
- **MS SQL:** Reviewers frequently mention high licensing costs and complexity, with 21 all-time mentions of expense and 12 for high licensing cost, often noting it as a trade-off for enterprise features.



### What are the best alternatives to Amazon Relational Database... and MS SQL?

The top 3 alternatives to Amazon Relational Database Service and MS SQL are Teradata Autonomous Knowledge Platform, Oracle Database, and IBM Db2.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Amazon Relational Database...](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) | 4.5/5 (909 reviews) | Mid-Market | High cost noted, but valued for automation and scalability | Scalability |
| [MS SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews) | 4.4/5 (2287 reviews) | Enterprise | High licensing cost and complexity frequently cited | Performance |
| [Teradata Autonomous Knowledge Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-autonomous-knowledge-platform/reviews) | 4.3/5 (376 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise analytics capabilities |
| [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) | 4.3/5 (1020 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Reliability and scalability |
| [IBM Db2](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-db2/reviews) | 4.1/5 (683 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Data management and integration |



### Which Database as a Service (DBaaS) features should I prioritize when comparing Amazon Relational Database... and MS SQL?

Buyers should prioritize scalability, ease of setup, integrations, security, and cost management when comparing Amazon Relational Database Service and MS SQL.

- **Scalability:** Amazon Relational Database Service has 30 all-time mentions for scalability, while MS SQL is frequently cited for performance and enterprise scaling.
- **Ease of Setup:** Amazon Relational Database Service scores 8.9, MS SQL scores 8.1.
- **Integrations:** Amazon Relational Database Service has 13 all-time mentions for integrations; MS SQL has 21 all-time mentions.
- **Security:** Amazon Relational Database Service has 19 all-time mentions; MS SQL has 11 all-time mentions.
- **Cost Management:** Amazon Relational Database Service has 34 all-time mentions for being expensive; MS SQL has 21 all-time mentions for expense and 12 for high licensing cost.



### What are the pros and cons of Amazon Relational Database... vs MS SQL?

Amazon Relational Database Service's headline strength is scalability and automation, while MS SQL's is performance and integration within the Microsoft ecosystem.

- **Amazon Relational Database Service strengths:** Scalability (30 all-time mentions), ease of use (32), setup ease (18), backup services (16), high availability (13), integrations (13), managed services (12), and security (19).
- **Amazon Relational Database Service trade-offs:** Expense (34 all-time mentions), limited customization, and initial setup complexity.
- **MS SQL strengths:** Performance (25 all-time mentions), database management (29), ease of use (32), integrations (21), reliability (18), security (11), and data management (16).
- **MS SQL trade-offs:** High licensing cost (21 all-time mentions for expense, 12 for high licensing cost), resource intensity, and complexity for advanced features.



### Is Amazon Relational Database... or MS SQL better for small businesses?

Amazon Relational Database Service is a better fit for small businesses, as it is most popular in the Mid-Market segment and is frequently praised for ease of setup and automation.

- **Amazon Relational Database Service:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; reviewers highlight ease of use, automation, and reduced operational overhead as key benefits for smaller teams.
- **MS SQL:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers note its maturity and performance but often cite high licensing costs and complexity as challenges for small businesses.



### Which Database as a Service (DBaaS) platform has better integrations?

MS SQL is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions and strong ties to the Microsoft ecosystem.

- **Amazon Relational Database Service:** Integrates with Amazon Aurora (9 all-time mentions) and AWS Lambda (7 all-time mentions), with 13 all-time mentions for integrations overall.
- **MS SQL:** Integrates with Azure SQL Database (3 all-time mentions), Microsoft Power BI (3), and Azure Data Factory (2), with 21 all-time mentions for integrations overall.



### How do Amazon Relational Database... and MS SQL compare on customer support?

Amazon Relational Database Service and MS SQL are rated within 0.3 points on Quality of Support, indicating near parity (8.6 vs 8.3).

- **Amazon Relational Database Service:** Reviewers frequently mention responsive support and strong documentation, with 10 all-time mentions for customer support.
- **MS SQL:** Reviewers describe support as reliable and helpful, especially for enterprise customers, with 6-7 Quality of Support scores in recent reviews.



### Which is easier to implement, Amazon Relational Database... or MS SQL?

Amazon Relational Database Service leads on Ease of Setup with a score of 8.9 versus MS SQL's 8.1, a difference of 0.8 points.

- **Amazon Relational Database Service:** Reviewers consistently highlight straightforward setup, automation, and reduced manual effort, with 18 all-time mentions for setup ease.
- **MS SQL:** Reviewers note that setup is generally easy, especially for those familiar with SQL, but mention that advanced configurations and enterprise deployments can be more complex.



### Which product has better Scalability?

Amazon Relational Database Service is more frequently cited for scalability, making it the stronger choice for this feature.

- **Amazon Relational Database Service:** Scalability is mentioned in 30 reviews all-time, with reviewers highlighting automated scaling, Multi-AZ deployments, and read replicas.
- **MS SQL:** Reviewers note strong performance and enterprise scaling, but scalability is not cited as frequently as a standout feature.



| | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 909 | 2,289 | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)

Pros:
- Ease of Use (15 reviews)
- Scalability (13 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (18 reviews)
- Complexity (7 reviews)

### Microsoft SQL Server

Pros:
- Ease of Use (29 reviews)
- Database Management (24 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (21 reviews)
- High Licensing Cost (12 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (745 reviews) | 9.0 (1877 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.8 (753 reviews) | 8.6 (1895 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.9 (529 reviews) | 8.2 (1018 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.7 (436 reviews) | 8.3 (955 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.6 (717 reviews) | 8.3 (1669 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (424 reviews) | 8.4 (904 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.5 (705 reviews) | 8.4 (1846 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Microsoft SQL Server

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Database Management Systems (DBMS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 9.0/10 | 180 |

#### Management

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data dictionary** | Not enough data | 8.9 (156 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | Not enough data | 8.8 (154 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | Not enough data | 9.2 (162 reviews) | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | 8.9 (156 reviews) | 
| **Performance Analysis** | Not enough data | 9.0 (161 reviews) | 
| **Data Synchronization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Storage Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Migration** | Not enough data | 8.9 (159 reviews) | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | 9.1 (165 reviews) | 
| **Multi-User Environment** | Not enough data | 9.1 (156 reviews) | 
| **Automatic Backup** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Database Conversion** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Encryption** | Not enough data | 8.9 (154 reviews) | 
| **User Access Control** | Not enough data | 9.1 (157 reviews) | 
| **Mobile Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Workflow Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extraction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Relational Database Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Connectors** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search/Filter** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Templates** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Full Text Search** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Virtualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drag & Drop** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Fields** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Mapping** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple Programming Languages Supported** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Capture and Transfer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **NOSQL Database Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Calendar Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Document Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Charting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Relational Databases

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)** | 8.8/10 | 468 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.8/10 | 1472 |

#### Management 

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Schema** | 8.8 (306 reviews) | 9.1 (154 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 8.9 (310 reviews) | 9.2 (158 reviews) | 
| **ACID - Complaint** | 8.8 (295 reviews) | 8.8 (142 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | 8.9 (304 reviews) | 8.8 (143 reviews) | 

#### Support 

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Text Search** | 8.3 (300 reviews) | 8.6 (145 reviews) | 
| **Data Types** | 8.7 (312 reviews) | 9.0 (152 reviews) | 
| **Languages** | 8.6 (306 reviews) | 8.6 (145 reviews) | 
| **Operating Systems** | 8.8 (310 reviews) | 8.3 (155 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Locking** | 8.6 (299 reviews) | 8.8 (151 reviews) | 
| **Access Control** | 8.7 (315 reviews) | 9.0 (152 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | 8.9 (309 reviews) | 8.8 (148 reviews) | 
| **Authentication** | 8.8 (312 reviews) | 9.0 (150 reviews) | 

#### Performance 

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Disaster Recovery** | 8.8 (305 reviews) | 8.7 (151 reviews) | 
| **Data Concurrency** | 8.6 (299 reviews) | 8.8 (143 reviews) | 
| **Workload Management** | 8.7 (307 reviews) | 8.7 (155 reviews) | 
| **Advanced Indexing** | 8.5 (293 reviews) | 8.6 (150 reviews) | 
| **Query Optimizer** | 8.5 (297 reviews) | 8.8 (152 reviews) | 

#### Database Features

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Storage** | 9.0 (438 reviews) | 8.9 (1300 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 9.2 (438 reviews) | 9.0 (1303 reviews) | 
| **Stability** | 9.0 (435 reviews) | 8.9 (1317 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | 9.2 (425 reviews) | 8.7 (1283 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 9.1 (432 reviews) | 8.8 (1281 reviews) | 
| **Data Manipulation** | 8.5 (403 reviews) | 8.8 (1283 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 8.8 (420 reviews) | 9.1 (1302 reviews) | 

### Database as a Service (DBaaS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)** | 8.7/10 | 282 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Configuration

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Application Performance** | 8.8 (248 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Orchestration** | 8.4 (243 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Database Monitoring** | 8.6 (252 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly Detection** | 8.1 (228 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Network Security** | 8.9 (245 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Database Administration

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Provisioning** | 8.8 (242 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Governance** | 8.6 (232 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Auditing** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 

#### Availability

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Scalability** | 9.1 (250 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Backup** | 9.1 (253 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Archiving** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Indexing** | 8.7 (232 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Masking** | 8.4 (171 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication And Single Sign-On** | 8.6 (181 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Anonymization** | 8.4 (170 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Data Management

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Replication** | 8.8 (188 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Advanced Data Analytics** | 8.6 (175 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Big Data Processing and Distribution

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.4/10 | 62 |

#### Database

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Real-Time Data Collection** | Not enough data | 8.6 (58 reviews) | 
| **Data Distribution** | Not enough data | 8.8 (57 reviews) | 
| **Data Lake** | Not enough data | 8.4 (54 reviews) | 

#### Integrations

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hadoop Integration** | Not enough data | 7.8 (45 reviews) | 
| **Spark Integration** | Not enough data | 8.2 (46 reviews) | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Machine Scaling** | Not enough data | 8.2 (50 reviews) | 
| **Data Preparation** | Not enough data | 8.5 (54 reviews) | 
| **Spark Integration** | Not enough data | 8.2 (46 reviews) | 

#### Processing

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud Processing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (53 reviews) | 
| **Workload Processing** | Not enough data | 8.5 (56 reviews) | 

### Big Data

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Building Reports

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **WYSIWYG Report Design** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Mobile User Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sandbox / Test Environments** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance and Reliability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Breadth of Partner Applications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Metadata Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases)

**Unique to Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) (1):** [Database as a Service (DBaaS) Providers](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-as-a-service-dbaas)

**Unique to Microsoft SQL Server (3):** [Database Management Systems (DBMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-management-systems-dbms), [Big Data Processing And Distribution Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/big-data-processing-and-distribution), [On-Premise Data Integration Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/on-premise-data-integration)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 29.0% | 18.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 37.6% | 36.6% | 
| **Enterprise** | 33.4% | 45.2% | 

### By Industry

#### Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)

- **Information Technology and Services:** 22.6%
- **Computer Software:** 17.1%
- **Financial Services:** 6.0%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.7%
- **Telecommunications:** 3.2%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.1%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 2.7%
- **Banking:** 2.5%
- **Retail:** 2.4%
- **Internet:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 34.4%

#### Microsoft SQL Server

- **Information Technology and Services:** 24.1%
- **Computer Software:** 13.7%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 5.4%
- **Financial Services:** 4.3%
- **Higher Education:** 2.9%
- **Education Management:** 2.6%
- **Banking:** 2.5%
- **Government Administration:** 2.4%
- **Insurance:** 2.4%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 37.6%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)

- [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1023 reviews)
- [IBM Db2](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-db2/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (684 reviews)
- [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (620 reviews)
- [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (367 reviews)
- [Azure SQL Database](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-sql-database/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (241 reviews)
- [EDB Postgres Advanced Server](https://www.g2.com/products/edb-postgres-advanced-server/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (38 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1685 reviews)
- [MongoDB Atlas](https://www.g2.com/products/mongodb-atlas/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (903 reviews)
- [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (755 reviews)
- [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (682 reviews)

### Alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server

- [Teradata Autonomous Knowledge Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-autonomous-knowledge-platform/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (374 reviews)
- [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (620 reviews)
- [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (367 reviews)
- [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (762 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1685 reviews)
- [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1023 reviews)
- [IBM Db2](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-db2/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (684 reviews)
- [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (682 reviews)
- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (456 reviews)
- [Google Cloud BigQuery](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-bigquery/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1223 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)

- Title: [What is Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-amazon-relational-database-service-rds-used-for) — 2 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) is a cloud-based service offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that is used for managing and operating relational..."
- Title: [An Amazon RDS performance best practice is to allocate enough RAM so that your working set resides almost completely in memory.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/an-amazon-rds-performance-best-practice-is-to-allocate-enough-ram-so-that-your-working-set-resides-almost-completely-in-memory) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "nice"

### Microsoft SQL Server

- Title: [How can I work on the same query if the connection is lost (timeout) and then I reconnect?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15675-how-can-i-work-on-the-same-query-if-the-connection-is-lost-timeout-and-then-i-reconnect) — 4 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "You can change the timeout for the query:

In the object explorer, right click a server and select properties. 
Go to Remote server connections, look for ..."
- Title: [How could I make much easier the experience with the order of my database?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/13520-how-could-i-make-much-easier-the-experience-with-the-order-of-my-database) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "If you have SQL knowledge you can generate queries to obtain the specific data you're looking for based on selected criteria."
- Title: [What is the best way to save your queries?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12127-what-is-the-best-way-to-save-your-queries) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "I recommend that you use the saved querys in plain text or .sql or txt format you can use the same sql server query creator or a notepad +++ tool, they are..."
- Title: [Is there a free version of Microsoft SQL Server?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-there-a-free-version-of-microsoft-sql-server) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "yes, SQL Server Express offers it as a free edition. It provides service, albeit in a limited framework."
- Title: [how did you import a MySQL database?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-did-you-import-a-mysql-database) — 3 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "You can use the LinkedServer feature to mySQL database using the provider.
Check here for further..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/amazon-relational-database-service-rds-vs-microsoft-sql-server)