# Google Cloud Spanner vs Microsoft SQL Server Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Microsoft SQL Server excels in user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher overall score compared to Google Cloud Spanner. Users appreciate its **'Always On'** feature, which enhances database durability and application performance by effectively managing read and write operations.
- **According to verified reviews** , Microsoft SQL Server is praised for its ease of use, particularly for beginners. Users highlight the intuitive interface in SSMS and straightforward implementation process, making it accessible for those new to database management.
- **Reviewers mention** that Google Cloud Spanner shines in scalability and global distribution, making it an excellent choice for heavy transactional workloads. Users value its ability to handle distributed transactions and appreciate features like **auto patch updates** with no downtime.
- **Users say** that while Microsoft SQL Server offers strong performance and integration with other Microsoft tools, Google Cloud Spanner's managed service reduces management overhead, which is a significant advantage for teams looking to streamline operations.
- **G2 reviewers note** that Microsoft SQL Server has a wealth of features for data management, including views and stored procedures, which contribute to its high satisfaction ratings. In contrast, some users feel that Google Cloud Spanner, while powerful, may not offer the same depth of features for certain use cases.
- **Reviewers highlight** that both products have strong security measures, but Microsoft SQL Server's robust access control and encryption features are particularly well-regarded. Users appreciate the comprehensive security options available, which are crucial for enterprise environments.



| | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 36 | 2,279 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (41.9% of reviews) | Enterprise (45.3% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Google Cloud Spanner

**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 | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.7 (24 reviews) | 9.0 (1866 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.8 (24 reviews) | 8.6 (1884 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.2 (10 reviews) | 8.1 (1006 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 8.3 (953 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.6 (20 reviews) | 8.3 (1660 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.3 (10 reviews) | 8.4 (902 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.4 (22 reviews) | 8.4 (1836 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Google Cloud Spanner

#### 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 |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Cloud Spanner** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 9.0/10 | 174 |

#### Management

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data dictionary** | Not enough data | 8.9 (155 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | Not enough data | 8.8 (153 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | Not enough data | 9.2 (161 reviews) | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | 8.9 (155 reviews) | 
| **Performance Analysis** | Not enough data | 8.9 (159 reviews) | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Migration** | Not enough data | 8.9 (158 reviews) | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | 9.0 (162 reviews) | 
| **Multi-User Environment** | Not enough data | 9.1 (155 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Encryption** | Not enough data | 8.9 (153 reviews) | 
| **User Access Control** | Not enough data | 9.1 (155 reviews) | 

### Relational Databases

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Cloud Spanner** | 8.7/10 | 16 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.8/10 | 1462 |

#### Management 

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Schema** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 9.1 (151 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 9.2 (156 reviews) | 
| **ACID - Complaint** | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (141 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (141 reviews) | 

#### Support 

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Text Search** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 8.5 (144 reviews) | 
| **Data Types** | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 9.0 (150 reviews) | 
| **Languages** | Not enough data | 8.6 (144 reviews) | 
| **Operating Systems** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 8.4 (153 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Locking** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 8.8 (149 reviews) | 
| **Access Control** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 9.0 (150 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | 9.4 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (145 reviews) | 
| **Authentication** | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 9.0 (149 reviews) | 

#### Performance 

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Disaster Recovery** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 8.7 (148 reviews) | 
| **Data Concurrency** | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 8.8 (142 reviews) | 
| **Workload Management** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 8.7 (149 reviews) | 
| **Advanced Indexing** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 8.6 (146 reviews) | 
| **Query Optimizer** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 8.8 (148 reviews) | 

#### Database Features

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Storage** | 9.5 (13 reviews) | 8.9 (1295 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 9.0 (1297 reviews) | 
| **Stability** | 9.0 (13 reviews) | 8.9 (1309 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 8.7 (1275 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 8.9 (12 reviews) | 8.8 (1274 reviews) | 
| **Data Manipulation** | 8.3 (13 reviews) | 8.8 (1277 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 9.1 (1298 reviews) | 

### Database as a Service (DBaaS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Cloud Spanner** | 7.6/10 | 12 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Configuration

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Application Performance** | 8.2 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Orchestration** | 7.6 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Database Monitoring** | 7.3 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly Detection** | 8.1 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Network Security** | 8.1 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Database Administration

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Provisioning** | 8.2 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Governance** | 6.3 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Auditing** | 7.0 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Availability

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Scalability** | 8.8 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Backup** | 6.7 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Archiving** | 7.0 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Indexing** | 8.1 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Masking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication And Single Sign-On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Anonymization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Data Management

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Replication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Advanced Data Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Big Data Processing and Distribution

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Cloud Spanner** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.4/10 | 62 |

#### Database

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

#### Platform

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | 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 | Google Cloud Spanner | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Cloud Spanner** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Building Reports

| Feature | Google Cloud Spanner | 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 | Google Cloud Spanner | 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 (1):** [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases)

**Unique to Google Cloud Spanner (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 | Google Cloud Spanner | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 32.3% | 18.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 25.8% | 36.4% | 
| **Enterprise** | 41.9% | 45.3% | 

### By Industry

#### Google Cloud Spanner

- **Information Technology and Services:** 20.0%
- **Computer Software:** 16.7%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 6.7%
- **Biotechnology:** 6.7%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 3.3%
- **Automotive:** 3.3%
- **Building Materials:** 3.3%
- **Computer Games:** 3.3%
- **Consumer Services:** 3.3%
- **Education Management:** 3.3%
- **Other:** 30.0%

#### Microsoft SQL Server

- **Information Technology and Services:** 24.0%
- **Computer Software:** 13.8%
- **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:** 37.4%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Google Cloud Spanner

- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (457 reviews)
- [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1010 reviews)
- [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (678 reviews)
- [Amazon DynamoDB](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-web-services-aws-amazon-dynamodb/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (530 reviews)
- [Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (907 reviews)
- [MongoDB Atlas](https://www.g2.com/products/mongodb-atlas/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (370 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1675 reviews)
- [Azure Cosmos DB](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-cosmos-db/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (68 reviews)
- [Neo4j Graph Database](https://www.g2.com/products/neo4j-graph-database/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (133 reviews)
- [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (621 reviews)

### Alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server

- [Teradata Vantage](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-teradata-vantage/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (373 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) — 4.6/5 stars (753 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 (907 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 (678 reviews)
- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (457 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Google Cloud Spanner

No discussions available for this product.

### 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/google-cloud-spanner-vs-microsoft-sql-server)