# Microsoft SQL Server Reviews **Vendor:** Microsoft **Category:** [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases) **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 2,267 ## 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, finding it intuitive and powerful for database management. (32 reviews) - Users appreciate the **robust data management** capabilities of Microsoft SQL Server, enhancing storage and analytics effectively. (29 reviews) - Users value the **exceptional performance** of Microsoft SQL Server, appreciating its continuous improvements and user-friendly management features. (25 reviews) - Users value the **enterprise-grade security** of Microsoft SQL Server, ensuring the protection of sensitive financial data. (23 reviews) - Users value the **easy integrations** with Microsoft Azure, Power BI, and Excel, enhancing their overall data management experience. (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 to be **expensive** , with high licensing costs that hinder access for smaller businesses. (21 reviews) - Users find that the **high licensing costs** of Microsoft SQL Server make it challenging for smaller businesses to adopt. (12 reviews) - Users find **licensing costs to be high** , posing challenges for small businesses and projects with limited budgets. (12 reviews) - Users find the **licensing costs** of Microsoft SQL Server to be prohibitively high for small businesses and projects. (11 reviews) - Users experience **performance issues** with SQL Server, particularly with scaling and optimization as workloads grow. (11 reviews) - Users experience **slow performance** with Microsoft SQL Server, particularly when handling large datasets and global 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 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?page=88§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-13+09%3A11%3A11+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=52b9f7f2-e373-453e-81c9-17a8681799ff&secure%5Btoken%5D=53ec34269020f0b92075132ac057ccfb5b35bc268c82d465b38a6f79a5300bdc&format=llm_user) ## Microsoft SQL Server Integrations - [Agentforce 360 Platform (formerly Salesforce Platform)](https://www.g2.com/products/agentforce-360-platform-formerly-salesforce-platform/reviews) - [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 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) - [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) - [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 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 Work Management](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) - [Tableau](https://www.g2.com/products/tableau/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 **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 **Support ** - Text Search - Data Types - Languages - Operating Systems **Integrations** - Hadoop Integration - Spark Integration **Security** - Data Encryption - User Access Control **Security** - Database Locking - Access Control - Encryption - Authentication **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 **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 ## Top Microsoft SQL Server Alternatives - [Teradata Vantage](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-teradata-vantage/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (343 reviews) - [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (513 reviews) - [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (353 reviews)