# Microsoft SQL Server Reviews **Vendor:** Microsoft **Category:** [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases) **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 2,262 ## 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 database management** features of Microsoft SQL Server, enhancing data storage and analytics. (29 reviews) - Users value the **exceptional performance** of Microsoft SQL Server, noting its efficiency and powerful features for database management. (25 reviews) - Users value the **enterprise-grade security and compliance features** of Microsoft SQL Server for protecting sensitive data effectively. (23 reviews) - Users value the **easy integrations** of Microsoft SQL Server with various Microsoft products, enhancing their 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** , particularly the Enterprise edition, posing challenges for smaller businesses. (21 reviews) - Users find the **high licensing cost** of Microsoft SQL Server challenging, especially for small businesses and projects. (12 reviews) - Users find the **high licensing costs** of Microsoft SQL Server challenging, especially for small businesses and teams. (12 reviews) - Users find the **licensing costs prohibitively high** , making it challenging for smaller businesses to adopt SQL Server. (11 reviews) - Users experience **performance issues** with SQL Server, especially as workloads grow and resource demands increase. (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 Reviews ### 1. Easy-to-Use Database Management with Strong Error Handling and Debugging **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bansi V. | Database Administrator, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 04, 2026 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** This app is used for storing databases and working with MS SQL language databases. Here, we can create a database, and then within the database we can create tables and do many more related tasks. It provides a very good interface, along with helpful troubleshooting, error handling, and clear support when issues come up. In my organization, we are storing our DB in the SSMS platform, and every day we are using this product. It's easy to use and understand. It gives the perfect error handling with line state number and how to solve this error and why it comes, and also gives SQL Server Profiler for debugging, and also provides backups and restores databases. when i am strating then i got some problem to understand but when i am using it day to day is it easy to handle. easy to intergrate. we can also perform try catch and transaction in ms sql for error handling .its gives the best performance some times when we are use this tools it will slow down our system and some times we got stucked and also takes too much timme to start .. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** It takes too long to start, and sometimes using this product slows our system down. As an organization, we use this tool with Red Gate, and the Red Gate extensions are costly. Also, it doesn’t provide an AI interface like other tools do. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** Easy to manage project data,Saves a lot of time during development, bettwe result while performing developemnt of applications.less debugging time needed ### 2. User-Friendly, Powerful, and Seamless Integration with BI Tools **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Rohit G. | Ecommerce Analyst, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 10, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** Microsoft SQL Server is easy to use, even for beginners. The interface in SSMS is simple, and implementation is straightforward with clear setup steps. It offers many useful features like views, stored procedures, and strong security. I also use it frequently because it feels reliable and stable. Another big advantage is how well it integrates with Excel, Power BI, and other Microsoft tools, which makes reporting and analysis much easier. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** One downside is that SQL Server can feel heavy during installation and requires a good system to run smoothly. Some features are only available in higher paid versions, which may not be ideal for small teams. Integration with non-Microsoft tools can sometimes need extra steps. Also, customer support can be slow unless you are on an enterprise plan. Overall, while it works well, the setup and advanced features can be a bit challenging for beginners. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** Microsoft SQL Server helps us manage large amounts of data in a structured and reliable way. It makes it easy to store, organize, and retrieve information quickly, which improves day-to-day reporting and decision-making. Its integration with Excel and Power BI helps us turn raw data into clear insights much faster. Overall, it saves time, reduces manual work, and helps maintain a single source of truth for our business data. ### 3. My Favorite: Seamless Microsoft Integration and SQL Server on Linux **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Felipe M. | ServiceNow Developer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 17, 2026 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** I like how it integrates with other Microsoft products. Also, at least in Latin America, it’s basically the standard—if you literally don’t know SQL Server here, it feels like you’re not in tech, not in IT, and not a software engineer. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** nothing really, it's my favorite product of yours, I love it that from a couple of years ago it can be used on linux as well, and you can have a pretty good stack, lightweight, and then microsoft sql server on top of that **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** it's my main job, it stores the data and also stored procedures, so... business logic, of all the companies I work for ### 4. Practical and Intuitive, But Needs More Stability **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Victor M. | Especialista de Soporte TI **Reviewed Date:** February 05, 2026 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** The truth is, what I like most about Microsoft SQL Server is how practical and intuitive it is to use. I think the performance panel is wonderful, as it shows real-time metrics about the server's status. I also greatly value the SQL agent, which allows me to execute pre-configured tasks like table backups. I use the activity monitor a lot, as it helps me detect when there is a query that is stuck and causing slowness for users. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** Well, I recently upgraded to SQL Server 22.1.0 and sometimes when I try to check the performance panel, the application closes unexpectedly. It doesn't happen all the time, but it has happened to me a couple of times. I think the main thing is to make the application more stable, since the problem is that it consumes a lot of computer resources. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Microsoft SQL Server to edit tables and execute scheduled tasks. Its features, such as the SQL Agent for backups and the Activity Monitor, help me identify slow queries. Additionally, its performance dashboard displays real-time metrics. ### 5. Seamless Database Management with Robust Connectivity **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ritesh S. | Java developer intern , Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 01, 2026 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** I like that with Microsoft SQL Server, I can get any table data easily and perform any query effortlessly, whether it's a select, stored procedure, view, or function. The connection is good with no lag or discrepancy in the system. I appreciate having the backup and storage area available, which makes my work more reliable. The initial setup was also very easy if you know the credentials to your database. I find it helpful and even teach my colleagues how to use it. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** If I execute any query, it would be helpful if there is an option for rollback if I run the query by mistake. Sometimes, after reopening my application, the query page is lost. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Microsoft SQL Server to easily access different servers and manage database connections. It allows me to perform any query, backup, and rollback efficiently without lag or system discrepancies. ### 6. Reliable Performance, Seamless Integration, and Flexible Scaling with SQL Server **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sharin S. | Team Lead - Azure and Windows server, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 30, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** We are running Microsoft SQL Server on virtual machines, and it consistently delivers strong performance even under heavy performance loads. We have integrated with Microsoft Power BI and built a dashboard that pulls data from SQL Server, and users can interact with reports without needing to understand the backend. It comes with the great management tool Microsoft SQL Management Studio, which is one of my favorite admin tools. I used it daily for backup management and user permissions. We migrated some of the SQL Server workloads to Azure SQL database. The transition was smooth, and it gives flexibility to scale based on budget and workload. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** Understanding the SQL Server licensing is complex, especially when mixing CALs and core-based models. Reporting and analysis workloads are resource-intensive. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** In my environment, Microsoft SQL Server resolves several key challenges related to data management, performance, and security. ### 7. A honest MSSQL Server Review **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ljupcho T. | Microsoft Certified Trainer, Information Technology and Services, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 06, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** I have been using MSSQL daily for over 15 years, and I can confidently say that it is designed to handle high transaction volumes and manage large datasets effectively. It offers a very stable and highly secure environment for data management, making it well-suited for both small applications and large enterprise systems. Depending on your requirements, you can select from several editions, such as Express, Developer, Standard, or Enterprise. Integration with other products like Azure, Excel, or PowerBI is straightforward and intuitive. While the general implementation process is simple, setting up high availability options can be more time-consuming. The documantation and technical support are excelent, there are many official guides, tutorials and free community resources that it makes easy to learn and troubleshoot. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** Some features are still lacking or limited in SQL, which can make some tasks more difficult to complete.Additionaly the license cost can be quite expensive for enterprise level deployments. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** This product offers a reliable high availability solution for disaster recovery, and it integrates smoothly with data analytics tools such as Integration Services and Analysis Services, making it well-suited for database warehouse solutions. ### 8. Simple setup, powerful features and good supporting tool **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** divi k. | Embedded Hardware Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 18, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** what i like best about Microsoft SQL server is how simple it is to use and set up. Even if you are not a database expert, the interface feels friendly and easy to understand. Installing and implementing it doesn't take forever, and once it is running, it works smoothly without much hassle. there are lot of features that help with managing data, and I use it almost every day because it is so reliable. whenever i have needed help, the customer support has been always helpful and quick which makes the experience even better. overall, it is a solid tool that does what you need without making things complicated. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** The main thing I don't like about Microsoft SQL server is that it can feel heavy and resource-hungry, especially on smaller systems. Sometimes the licensing costs are high, which makes it hard for small businesses. A few advanced features can be tricky to learn if you are new, and upgrades or migrations take time and planning. It's a great tool overall, but it's not the budget friendly or lightweight option out there. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** It helps us store and manage large amounts of data in one place without worrying about losing it. It solves problems like handling complex queries, keeping data secure, and making backups easy. Before using it, managing data across different systems was a headache, but now everything is centralized and organized. it also improves performance for applications that need quick access to data. The biggest benefit is reliable our data is safe, easy to access, and the system runs smoothly even with heavy workloads. ### 9. Microsoft SQL Server - Easy & Reliable **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Vishal J. | Software Project Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 19, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** Microsoft SQL Server is one of the easiest databases to setup and use, especially if you are developing a .NET application using C# or VB. the visual editor available in Visual Studio makes it much easier to build relational databases. Configuring various constraints like Primary keys, Foreign keys, and mappings is quite straightforward. With respect to coding, integrating SQL Server data objects with C# is simple with the help of ADO.NET. Overall, a great product from Microsoft. I have used both the server version as well as the compact editions. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** You might have to struggle a bit to integrate Microsoft SQL server setup if you plan to use it with languages like PHP and Python. However, if you install the right driver, then it shouldn't be much of an issue. The pricing is a bit on the higher side, especially for the Enterprise Edition. **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am using Microsoft SQL Server to store financial application data that I am developing using Microsoft Visual C# .NET. It helps a great deal in building relational database systems using MS SQL Server. ### 10. SQL Server Usage and Insights **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Pulkit V. | Senior Associate, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 14, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft SQL Server?** Balance of performance, reliability, and ease of management. The integration of tool and features such as Query Store, execution plans, and indexing options make it easier to optimize and troubleshoot complex queries. it’s easy to use SQL Server frequently in day-to-day operations, Its consistency and predictability make it an excellent choice for both development and production environments. **What do you dislike about Microsoft SQL Server?** Certain advanced tuning operations can become cumbersome — especially when working with large datasets or deeply nested queries. Customer support, while responsive, can be inconsistent in terms of technical depth **What problems is Microsoft SQL Server solving and how is that benefiting you?** Microsoft SQL Server solves data management and performance challenges In my project. I work on ETL pipelines and SQL SERVER is managing all my data, by providing a reliable, easy-to-use platform for storing, transforming, and analyzing data. It helps me work more efficiently and deliver accurate, optimized results. ## 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 ## Microsoft SQL Server Integrations - 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[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 (340 reviews) - [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (497 reviews) - [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (353 reviews)