# ApexSQL vs Microsoft SQL Server Comparison
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## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Microsoft SQL Server excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher G2 Score compared to ApexSQL. Users appreciate its reliability and strong performance, particularly highlighting features like the 'Always On' functionality that enhances database durability.
- **Users say** that Microsoft SQL Server's interface is user-friendly, making it accessible even for beginners. Reviewers mention that the setup process is straightforward, with clear steps that facilitate quick implementation, which is a notable advantage over ApexSQL.
- **According to verified reviews** , Microsoft SQL Server offers robust integration with other Microsoft tools, which enhances its usability for organizations already using Microsoft products. This seamless integration is often cited as a key benefit that ApexSQL struggles to match.
- **Reviewers mention** that while ApexSQL has a user-friendly interface and robust features, it lacks the extensive market presence and user base of Microsoft SQL Server. This is reflected in the total number of reviews, where SQL Server has garnered over 2,100 reviews compared to ApexSQL's 28, indicating a more established user community.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that both products receive similar ratings for ease of use, but Microsoft SQL Server edges out with a more comprehensive set of features for managing and analyzing data. Users specifically appreciate its SQL engine capabilities, which are noted as superior for complex queries.
- **Users appreciate** ApexSQL for its efficient SQL server management tools and query optimization features, but they also express a desire for more robust support and documentation. In contrast, Microsoft SQL Server's support quality is rated higher, providing users with more confidence in troubleshooting and assistance.



| | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 30 | 2,282 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (46.4% of reviews) | Enterprise (45.3% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### ApexSQL

**Not enough data**

### 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 | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (24 reviews) | 9.0 (1870 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.1 (25 reviews) | 8.6 (1888 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.7 (8 reviews) | 8.1 (1011 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.1 (8 reviews) | 8.3 (953 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.1 (23 reviews) | 8.3 (1664 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.3 (8 reviews) | 8.4 (902 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.5 (24 reviews) | 8.4 (1839 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### ApexSQL

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### 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 |
|---|---|---|
| **ApexSQL** | 8.7/10 | 16 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 9.0/10 | 175 |

#### Management

| Feature | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data dictionary** | 8.8 (14 reviews) | 8.9 (155 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | 8.3 (14 reviews) | 8.8 (153 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 8.9 (14 reviews) | 9.2 (161 reviews) | 
| **Data Modeling** | 9.0 (14 reviews) | 8.9 (155 reviews) | 
| **Performance Analysis** | 8.8 (14 reviews) | 8.9 (159 reviews) | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Migration** | 8.7 (14 reviews) | 8.9 (158 reviews) | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | 8.5 (14 reviews) | 9.0 (163 reviews) | 
| **Multi-User Environment** | 8.6 (14 reviews) | 9.1 (155 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Encryption** | 8.9 (14 reviews) | 8.9 (153 reviews) | 
| **User Access Control** | 8.9 (14 reviews) | 9.1 (155 reviews) | 

### Relational Databases

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ApexSQL** | 7.8/10 | 11 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.8/10 | 1467 |

#### Management 

| Feature | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Schema** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 9.1 (152 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 9.2 (156 reviews) | 
| **ACID - Complaint** | 7.0 (5 reviews) | 8.8 (141 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | 7.2 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (141 reviews) | 

#### Support 

| Feature | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Text Search** | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 8.5 (144 reviews) | 
| **Data Types** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 9.0 (150 reviews) | 
| **Languages** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 8.6 (144 reviews) | 
| **Operating Systems** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 8.3 (154 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Locking** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (149 reviews) | 
| **Access Control** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 9.0 (151 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (146 reviews) | 
| **Authentication** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 9.0 (149 reviews) | 

#### Performance 

| Feature | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Disaster Recovery** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 8.7 (149 reviews) | 
| **Data Concurrency** | 7.2 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (142 reviews) | 
| **Workload Management** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 8.7 (151 reviews) | 
| **Advanced Indexing** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 8.6 (146 reviews) | 
| **Query Optimizer** | 7.2 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (149 reviews) | 

#### Database Features

| Feature | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Storage** | 8.1 (9 reviews) | 8.9 (1297 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 7.8 (9 reviews) | 9.0 (1302 reviews) | 
| **Stability** | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 8.9 (1313 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | 8.3 (9 reviews) | 8.7 (1279 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 8.5 (9 reviews) | 8.8 (1277 reviews) | 
| **Data Manipulation** | 8.5 (9 reviews) | 8.8 (1279 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 8.3 (9 reviews) | 9.1 (1300 reviews) | 

### Big Data Processing and Distribution

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ApexSQL** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.4/10 | 62 |

#### Database

| Feature | ApexSQL | 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 | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hadoop Integration** | Not enough data | 7.8 (45 reviews) | 
| **Spark Integration** | Not enough data | 8.2 (46 reviews) | 

#### Platform

| Feature | ApexSQL | 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 | ApexSQL | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| **ApexSQL** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Building Reports

| Feature | ApexSQL | 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 | 

#### Platform

| Feature | ApexSQL | 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 | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Database Management Systems (DBMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-management-systems-dbms), [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases)


**Unique to Microsoft SQL Server (2):** [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 | ApexSQL | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 46.4% | 18.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 42.9% | 36.5% | 
| **Enterprise** | 10.7% | 45.3% | 

### By Industry

#### ApexSQL

- **Computer Software:** 42.9%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 21.4%
- **Wireless:** 3.6%
- **Utilities:** 3.6%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 3.6%
- **Security and Investigations:** 3.6%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.6%
- **Financial Services:** 3.6%
- **E-Learning:** 3.6%
- **Construction:** 3.6%
- **Other:** 7.1%

#### 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:** 37.5%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to ApexSQL

- [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (679 reviews)
- [dbForge SQL Complete](https://www.g2.com/products/dbforge-sql-complete/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (58 reviews)
- [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (756 reviews)
- [IBM Db2](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-db2/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (682 reviews)
- [Teradata Vantage](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-teradata-vantage/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (375 reviews)
- [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1010 reviews)
- [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (621 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1675 reviews)
- [Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (908 reviews)
- [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (366 reviews)

### Alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server

- [Teradata Vantage](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-teradata-vantage/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (375 reviews)
- [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (621 reviews)
- [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (366 reviews)
- [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (756 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1675 reviews)
- [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1010 reviews)
- [Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (908 reviews)
- [IBM Db2](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-db2/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (682 reviews)
- [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (679 reviews)
- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (457 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### ApexSQL

- Title: [Is Apex SQL search free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-apex-sql-search-free) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "ApexSQL Search is no longer available as a standalone free tool. It's now part of a paid bundle called the ApexSQL Fundamentals Toolkit."

### 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/apexsql-vs-microsoft-sql-server)