# Microsoft SQL Server vs SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) 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 of 94.9 compared to SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise's 59.76. Users appreciate its reliability and strong performance, particularly highlighting features like the 'Always On' functionality that enhances database durability.
- **According to verified reviews** , Microsoft SQL Server has a much larger user base, with over 2,100 reviews compared to SAP ASE's 36. This extensive feedback provides a more reliable insight into user experiences, with many praising its easy integration with other Microsoft tools and powerful data management capabilities.
- **Users say** that Microsoft SQL Server is particularly user-friendly, with a simple interface in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) that makes it accessible even for beginners. In contrast, while SAP ASE is noted for its user-friendly interface, it lacks the same level of intuitive onboarding that SQL Server offers.
- **Reviewers mention** that Microsoft SQL Server's implementation process is straightforward, with clear setup steps that facilitate quick onboarding. In comparison, SAP ASE, while effective, does not receive the same level of praise for its setup experience, which may pose challenges for new users.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that Microsoft SQL Server provides robust features for managing and analyzing data, such as views and stored procedures, which enhance its functionality. On the other hand, SAP ASE is recognized for its strong performance in transaction processing and security features, but it may not offer the same breadth of features as SQL Server.
- **Users report** that Microsoft SQL Server's support quality is commendable, with many finding it responsive and helpful. While SAP ASE also has a solid support framework, it does not quite match the level of satisfaction reported by SQL Server users, who appreciate the comprehensive resources available for troubleshooting and learning.



| | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 2,271 | 37 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (45.4% of reviews) | Enterprise (38.9% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Microsoft SQL Server

Pros:
- Ease of Use (32 reviews)
- Database Management (29 reviews)

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

### SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (1861 reviews) | 8.7 (28 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.6 (1877 reviews) | 7.7 (29 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.1 (1000 reviews) | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.3 (952 reviews) | 8.8 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.3 (1655 reviews) | 8.0 (27 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.4 (901 reviews) | 7.9 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.4 (1832 reviews) | 7.4 (27 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Microsoft SQL Server

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Database Management Systems (DBMS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 9.0/10 | 171 |
| **SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)** | N/A | N/A |

#### Management

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data dictionary** | 8.9 (154 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Replication** | 8.8 (153 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Query Language** | 9.2 (161 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Modeling** | 8.9 (154 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Analysis** | 8.9 (158 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Migration** | 8.9 (156 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | 9.0 (162 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-User Environment** | 9.1 (155 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Encryption** | 8.9 (153 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **User Access Control** | 9.1 (155 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Relational Databases

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.8/10 | 1453 |
| **SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)** | 8.4/10 | 24 |

#### Management 

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Schema** | 9.1 (150 reviews) | 8.2 (18 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 9.2 (155 reviews) | 8.6 (18 reviews) | 
| **ACID - Complaint** | 8.8 (140 reviews) | 8.3 (18 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | 8.8 (141 reviews) | 8.3 (18 reviews) | 

#### Support 

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Text Search** | 8.5 (144 reviews) | 8.0 (18 reviews) | 
| **Data Types** | 9.0 (150 reviews) | 8.2 (17 reviews) | 
| **Languages** | 8.6 (144 reviews) | 8.6 (17 reviews) | 
| **Operating Systems** | 8.3 (152 reviews) | 8.4 (18 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Locking** | 8.8 (148 reviews) | 8.1 (17 reviews) | 
| **Access Control** | 9.0 (148 reviews) | 8.1 (17 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | 8.8 (145 reviews) | 8.1 (18 reviews) | 
| **Authentication** | 9.0 (149 reviews) | 9.3 (18 reviews) | 

#### Performance 

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Disaster Recovery** | 8.7 (146 reviews) | 8.4 (18 reviews) | 
| **Data Concurrency** | 8.8 (140 reviews) | 8.2 (18 reviews) | 
| **Workload Management** | 8.7 (146 reviews) | 8.7 (18 reviews) | 
| **Advanced Indexing** | 8.6 (144 reviews) | 8.7 (17 reviews) | 
| **Query Optimizer** | 8.8 (146 reviews) | 8.5 (16 reviews) | 

#### Database Features

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Storage** | 8.9 (1290 reviews) | 8.3 (24 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 9.0 (1294 reviews) | 8.8 (24 reviews) | 
| **Stability** | 8.9 (1304 reviews) | 8.5 (24 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | 8.7 (1270 reviews) | 8.6 (22 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 8.8 (1269 reviews) | 8.8 (24 reviews) | 
| **Data Manipulation** | 8.8 (1274 reviews) | 7.9 (24 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 9.1 (1295 reviews) | 8.2 (21 reviews) | 

### Big Data Processing and Distribution

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.4/10 | 59 |
| **SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)** | N/A | N/A |

#### Database

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Real-Time Data Collection** | 8.5 (56 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Distribution** | 8.8 (57 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Lake** | 8.4 (54 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Integrations

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

#### Platform

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Machine Scaling** | 8.2 (50 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Preparation** | 8.5 (53 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Spark Integration** | 8.2 (46 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Processing

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud Processing** | 8.5 (52 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Workload Processing** | 8.5 (56 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Big Data

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |
| **SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)** | N/A | N/A |

#### Building Reports

| Feature | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 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 | Microsoft SQL Server | SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 18.3% | 27.8% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 36.3% | 33.3% | 
| **Enterprise** | 45.4% | 38.9% | 

### By Industry

#### Microsoft SQL Server

- **Information Technology and Services:** 24.1%
- **Computer Software:** 13.8%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 5.4%
- **Financial Services:** 4.4%
- **Higher Education:** 2.9%
- **Education Management:** 2.7%
- **Banking:** 2.5%
- **Government Administration:** 2.4%
- **Insurance:** 2.4%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 37.3%

#### SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)

- **Information Technology and Services:** 16.7%
- **Computer Software:** 11.1%
- **Banking:** 5.6%
- **Insurance:** 5.6%
- **Accounting:** 2.8%
- **Apparel & Fashion:** 2.8%
- **Automotive:** 2.8%
- **Biotechnology:** 2.8%
- **Building Materials:** 2.8%
- **Computer Networking:** 2.8%
- **Other:** 44.4%

---
## Alternatives

### 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 (618 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 (735 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 (906 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 (677 reviews)
- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (457 reviews)

### Alternatives to SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)

- [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 (677 reviews)
- [Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (906 reviews)
- [IBM Db2](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-db2/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (682 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1675 reviews)
- [Teradata Vantage](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-teradata-vantage/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (375 reviews)
- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (457 reviews)
- [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (366 reviews)
- [SQLite](https://www.g2.com/products/sqlite/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (260 reviews)
- [Azure SQL Database](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-sql-database/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (240 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### 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..."

### SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE)

- Title: [What is SAP ASE Backup Server?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-sap-ase-backup-server) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "SAP ASE (Adaptive Server Enterprise) Backup Server is a component of SAP ASE, which is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by SAP. The..."
- Title: [Is SAP ASE same as Sybase?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-sap-ase-same-as-sybase) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Yes, SAP ASE (Adaptive Server Enterprise) is the same as Sybase. SAP ASE is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed and marketed by Sybase,..."
- Title: [What is Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-sybase-adaptive-server-enterprise) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Relational Database Management System (RDBMS): ASE is built on a relational database model, organizing data into tables with rows and columns. It supports..."

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**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/microsoft-sql-server-vs-sap-adaptive-server-enterprise-ase)