--- title: Microsoft SQL Server Reviews meta_title: 'Microsoft SQL Server Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 2286 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Microsoft SQL Server works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.4 review_count: 2286 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-08-09' parent_category: name: Database Software url: https://www.g2.com/categories/database-software --- # Microsoft SQL Server Reviews **Vendor:** Microsoft **Category:** [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases) **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 2,286 ## About Microsoft SQL Server SQL Server 2017 brings the power of SQL Server to Windows, Linux and Docker containers for the first time ever, enabling developers to build intelligent applications using their preferred language and environment. Experience industry-leading performance, rest assured with innovative security features, transform your business with AI built-in, and deliver insights wherever your users are with mobile BI. ## Microsoft SQL Server Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users appreciate the **ease of use** of Microsoft SQL Server, enjoying its intuitive GUI and powerful capabilities. (32 reviews) - Users appreciate the **robust database management** of Microsoft SQL Server, enabling effective data handling and user administration. (29 reviews) - Users value the **exceptional performance** of Microsoft SQL Server, noting its powerful capabilities and ease of use. (25 reviews) - Users appreciate the **enterprise-grade security and powerful features** of Microsoft SQL Server, enhancing peace of mind and usability. (23 reviews) - Users appreciate the **easy integrations** of Microsoft SQL Server, enhancing their data management and analytics workflows seamlessly. (22 reviews) - Users love the **seamless integration** of Microsoft SQL Server with other Microsoft products, enhancing productivity significantly. (21 reviews) - Reliability (18 reviews) - Users appreciate the **ease of data management** with Microsoft SQL Server, enjoying its simplicity and flexibility for various applications. (16 reviews) - Setup Ease (13 reviews) - Users appreciate the **incredible efficiency** of Microsoft SQL Server, making it the go-to standard for database management. (12 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users find Microsoft SQL Server's **high licensing costs** prohibitive, particularly affecting smaller businesses and startups. (21 reviews) - Users struggle with the **high licensing costs** of Microsoft SQL Server, making it challenging for smaller businesses. (12 reviews) - Users note that the **high licensing costs** of Microsoft SQL Server can be challenging for smaller businesses and projects. (12 reviews) - Users find the **licensing costs to be prohibitively high** , especially for small businesses and projects. (11 reviews) - Users find **performance issues** with SQL Server, particularly regarding tuning, scaling, and resource consumption on older systems. (11 reviews) - Users experience **slow performance** with SQL Server, especially when running alongside other software and during data searches. (11 reviews) - Users find the **user interface complex** and not intuitive, leading to a steeper learning curve for newcomers. (8 reviews) - Difficult Learning (7 reviews) - High Hardware Requirements (7 reviews) - Technical Difficulties (7 reviews) ## Microsoft SQL Server Reviews ### 1. SSIS Review **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Internet | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 12, 2016 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** Free with sql server license. Ease of use on easy to learn . **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** Does not scale. Does not work well with huge amounts of data. No big data support . **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** ETL to data ware house and also loading data from flat files. Loading data to disjoint dbms ### 2. Microsoft SQL From a BI Point of View **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jeff B. | Software Engineer - MicroStrategy Developer, Retail, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 27, 2014 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** Microsoft SQL syntax is very simple to understand and once the user knows Microsoft SQL language they can easily pick up other languages such as SAS, Visual Basic, etc. They layout of the tool is similar to a majority of Microsoft products which makes navigation a breeze. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** Other SQL tools recognize script commands and provide helpful recommendations. Microsoft SQL doesn't always provide that to the user. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** Query optimization, general queries, etc. ### 3. Microsoft SQL User **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Insurance | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 16, 2014 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** Just starting to get trained and learn this system to pull queries from internal database **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** Seems difficult to use for beginners of the system **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** Pulling multiple rows of data from internal database ### 4. powerful database for complex business needs **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Michael S. | Investment Operations Software Specialist, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 24, 2013 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** Microsoft sql server is a multi level highly functional data base that can perform complex functions that other linear databases cannot. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** requires a high level of proficiency to administer. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** advanced crm abilities ### 5. SQL Server bit like Marmite **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kryz O. | Global Partner PreSales and Technical Enablement , Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 28, 2012 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** Many Microsoft houses (as in ERP etc) will use this as standard. Its a good Database system. Fairly easy to setup and configure, create backups etc. Fantastic reporting capability as well. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** SQL Server need a lot of power to have a good response. Fairly robust however, Oracle seems to be the choice of bigger players. SQL doesn't play well with other Databases in terms of data transfer etc. **Recommendations to others considering Microsoft SQL Server:** compare costs with oracle, and see what admin resource you have. Many IT will choose Oracle for their Resume rather that needs ## Microsoft SQL Server Discussions - [how did you import a MySQL database?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-did-you-import-a-mysql-database) - 3 comments, 2 upvotes - [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 - [What is Microsoft SQL Server used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/microsoft-sql-server-what-is-microsoft-sql-server-used-for) - 2 comments, 1 upvote - [Best features in SQL](https://www.g2.com/discussions/24528-best-features-in-sql) - 2 comments, 1 upvote - [How to handle duplicate data from a database and a course on related databases](https://www.g2.com/discussions/como-manejar-datos-duplicados-de-base-de-datos-y-un-curso-sobre-base-relacionadas) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [View Microsoft SQL Server pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews?filters%5Bnps_score%5D%5B%5D=3&page=3§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-09+15%3A59%3A24+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=5c1895b9-68d5-427f-b051-d6be1880b6cf&secure%5Btoken%5D=48ecce28a06add86664381db6f078e4c295b9f028b4ce056e34ade185a8c9ef2&format=llm_user) ## Microsoft SQL Server Integrations - [Agentforce Sales (formerly Salesforce Sales Cloud)](https://www.g2.com/products/agentforce-sales-formerly-salesforce-sales-cloud/reviews) - [Azure Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-databricks/reviews) - [Azure Data Factory](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-data-factory/reviews) - [Azure Functions](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-functions/reviews) - [Azure Pipelines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-pipelines/reviews) - [Azure Portal](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-portal/reviews) - [Azure SQL Database](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-sql-database/reviews) - [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) - [Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/databricks/reviews) - [Docker](https://www.g2.com/products/docker-inc-docker/reviews) - [Informatica Cloud Data Integration](https://www.g2.com/products/informatica-cloud-data-integration/reviews) - [IntelliJ IDEA](https://www.g2.com/products/intellij-idea/reviews) - [Internet Information Services (IIS) for Windows Server](https://www.g2.com/products/internet-information-services-iis-for-windows-server/reviews) - [JAMS](https://www.g2.com/products/jams-software-llc-jams/reviews) - [Jet Analytics](https://www.g2.com/products/jet-analytics/reviews) - [Microsoft Defender for Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-defender-for-cloud/reviews) - [Microsoft Excel](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-excel/reviews) - [Microsoft Fabric](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-fabric/reviews) - [Microsoft Power Apps](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-power-apps/reviews) - [Microsoft Power Automate](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-power-automate/reviews) - [Microsoft Power BI](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-power-bi/reviews) - [Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services to Alation](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sql-server-integration-services-to-alation/reviews) - [monday AI Work Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/monday-com/reviews) - [MuleSoft Anypoint Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/mulesoft-anypoint-platform/reviews) - [Node.js](https://www.g2.com/products/node-js/reviews) - [NodeJS Web Stack](https://www.g2.com/products/nodejs-web-stack/reviews) - [Oracle Java Downloads](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-java-downloads/reviews) - [Popdock](https://www.g2.com/products/popdock/reviews) - [Redis Software](https://www.g2.com/products/redis-software/reviews) - [Salesforce Headless 360 Platform (formerly Salesforce Platform)](https://www.g2.com/products/agentforce-360-platform-formerly-salesforce-platform/reviews) - [Umbraco](https://www.g2.com/products/umbraco/reviews) - [Visual Studio](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio/reviews) - [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) ## Microsoft SQL Server Features **Management** - Data dictionary - Data Replication - Query Language - Data Modeling - Performance Analysis - Data Synchronization - Real-Time Data - Data Storage Management **Management ** - Data Schema - Query Language - ACID - Complaint - Data Replication **Database** - Real-Time Data Collection - Data Distribution - Data Lake **Maintenance** - Data Migration - Backup and Recovery - Multi-User Environment - Automatic Backup - Database Conversion **Support ** - Text Search - Data Types - Languages - Operating Systems **Integrations** - Hadoop Integration - Spark Integration **Security** - Data Encryption - User Access Control - Mobile Access **Security** - Database Locking - Access Control - Encryption - Authentication **Additional Functionality** - Workflow Management - Third-Party Integrations - Data Extraction - Relational Database Management - SSL Security - API - Data Connectors - Search/Filter - Reporting & Statistics - Customizable Templates - AI Copilot - Full Text Search - Data Virtualization - Data Import/Export - Generative AI - Drag & Drop - Customizable Fields - Authentication - Data Visualization - Secure Data Storage - Activity Dashboard - Data Mapping - Multiple Programming Languages Supported - Data Capture and Transfer - User Management - NOSQL Database Management - Access Controls/Permissions - Calendar Management - Real-Time Monitoring - Document Storage - Audit Management - Charting **Platform** - Machine Scaling - Data Preparation - Spark Integration **Performance ** - Disaster Recovery - Data Concurrency - Workload Management - Advanced Indexing - Query Optimizer **Processing** - Cloud Processing - Workload Processing **Building Reports** - Data Transformation - Data Modeling - WYSIWYG Report Design - Integration APIs - Real-Time Data - Real-Time Data - Third-Party Integrations - Third-Party Integrations **Database Features** - Storage - Availability - Stability - Scalability - Security - Data Manipulation - Query Language **Platform** - Mobile User Support - Customization - User, Role, and Access Management - Internationalization - Sandbox / Test Environments - Performance and Reliability - Breadth of Partner Applications - Mobile Access - Metadata Management ## Top Microsoft SQL Server Alternatives - [Teradata Autonomous Knowledge Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-autonomous-knowledge-platform/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (356 reviews) - [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (521 reviews) - [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (355 reviews)