--- description: Review of Microsoft SQL Server Software: system overview, features, price and cost information. Get free demos and compare to similar programs on Software Advice Ireland. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/software_advice/og_logo-55146305bbe7b450bea05c18e9be9c9a.png title: Microsoft SQL Server | Reviews, Pricing & Demos - SoftwareAdvice IE --- Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Business Intelligence Platform](/directory/4336/bi/software) > [Microsoft SQL Server](/software/399511/microsoft-sql-server) # Microsoft SQL Server Canonical: https://www.softwareadvice.ie/software/399511/microsoft-sql-server Page: 1 / 80\ Next: [Next page](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/software/399511/microsoft-sql-server?page=2) > Microsoft SQL Server Business Intelligence (BI) Edition is a database management and BI software solution designed for companies of all sizes. The system offers relational database management, which allows users to access enterprise data using structured query language. The solution allows users to perform complex analysis on the database. The product also features a BI Semantic model that allows users to extract and analyze data from heterogeneous sources. Microsoft SQL Server features "in-memory analytics," which allows users to perform queries and analytics while the data is in the RAM, thereby improving the speed of access. The software has scalable and corporate reporting features that help management to make decisions that are more informed. Organizations can improve the data quality by using the organizational knowledge and third-party reference data providers to profile, clean and match the data. The IT department can manage data through a BI Semantic Model, which provides a consistent view across multiple data sources. > > Verdict: Rated **4.6/5** by 1974 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**. ----- ## Quick Stats & Ratings | Metric | Rating | Detail | | **Overall** | **4.6/5** | 1974 Reviews | | Ease of Use | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Customer Support | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Value for Money | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Features | 4.6/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Recommendation percentage | 90% | (9/10 Likelihood to recommend) | ## About the vendor - **Company**: Microsoft - **Location**: Redmond, US - **Founded**: 1975 ## Commercial Context - **Starting Price**: US$13,748.00 - **Pricing model**: Flat Rate (Free version available) (Free Trial) - **Pricing Details**: SQL Server offers a 180-day free trial for new users, after which the software is available across various pricing tiers Enterprise - $13748 Standard (per core) - $3586 Standard (server) - $899 Standard (CAL) - $209 Developer – Available to users for free Express – Available to users for free Additional cost for subscriptions and add-ons include - SQL Server Enterprise - $5434/year SQL Server Standard - $1418/year Big data node cores - $400/year - **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+ - **Deployment & Platforms**: Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Windows (Desktop), Linux (Desktop), Windows (On-Premise), Linux (On-Premise) - **Supported Languages**: English, French - **Available Countries**: France, Italy, United States ## Features - API - Access Controls/Permissions - Ad hoc Query - Ad hoc Reporting - Authentication - Backup and Recovery - Benchmarking - Collaboration Tools - Dashboard - Data Connectors - Data Dictionary Management - Data Extraction - Data Import/Export - Data Mapping - Data Migration - Data Replication - Data Storage Management - Data Synchronisation - Data Transformation - Data Visualisation ## Integrations (5 total) - Microsoft Azure - Microsoft Excel - Microsoft Power BI - Microsoft Visual Studio - MySQL ## Support Options - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat ## Category - [Business Intelligence Platform](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/directory/4336/bi/software) ## Related Categories - [Business Intelligence Platform](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/directory/4336/bi/software) - [Database Software](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/directory/4512/database-management-systems/software) - [Manufacturing BI Software](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/directory/3828/manufacturing/software) ## Alternatives 1. 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This is not a question worth replying to. ----- ### "fast and simply sql management" — 5.0/5 > **diego** | *25 March 2025* | Consumer Goods | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10 > > **Pros**: we like the flexibility of the product, i like the querys module, it is simple to understand the management, the user and role > > **Cons**: it is not easy to setup, we've done it with some expert ----- ### "Worked with Sql Server over the years" — 5.0/5 > **Verified Reviewer** | *30 November 2021* | Retail | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: The list of functions that makes easy to show the data is one of the features that makes me stay with SQL Server, Reporting Services and Analysis Services are a great value to the bundle that works great with other microsoft products. > > **Cons**: The lack of features in lesser types of licences ----- ### "This server does what it needs to do. Muti-factor Authentication can be a pain though." — 5.0/5 > **Adashia** | *2 February 2026* | Health, Wellness & Fitness | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: VALUE FOR MONEY - great CUSTOMER SUPPORT EASE OF USE - decent DATABASE MANAGEMENT - great DATA MANAGEMENT - great PERFORMANCE AND SPEED - decent LICENSE AND LICENSING > > **Cons**: The Multi-factor Authentication on all Microsoft products can really be a pain more than a help. I would use Microsoft products more if that was not an issue. > > This server does what it needs to do. Muti-factor Authentication can be a pain, though. Once you get past that, this is a decent tool to use. ----- ### "The gold standard in relational database engines for many years" — 5.0/5 > **Adam** | *12 November 2024* | Business Supplies & Equipment | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10 > > **Pros**: Great Free Administration Tools Super Reliable > > **Cons**: Very Expensive, especially compared to open source alternatives Likes to install Cumulative Updates and take down databases at random times > > Great relational database engine that we've used for years, pairs very well with .NET development and Microsoft shop. ----- Page: 1 / 80\ Next: [Next page](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/software/399511/microsoft-sql-server?page=2) ## Links - [View on SoftwareAdvice](https://www.softwareadvice.ie/software/399511/microsoft-sql-server) ## This page is available in the following languages | Locale | URL | | de | | | en | | | en-AU | | | en-GB | | | en-IE | | | en-NZ | | | fr | | ----- ## Structured Data