# Microsoft SQL Server vs MySQL: Features and Cost Comparison 2026 | Capterra > Microsoft SQL Server vs MySQL: Which database tool is right for you? Dive into our detailed comparison of their features, costs, and user experience to make your decision. Source: https://www.capterra.com/compare/1417-11482/SQL-Server-vs-MySQL --- # Microsoft SQL Server vs MySQL Features and Cost Comparison Last updated March 25th, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) Your comparison: Microsoft SQL ServerMySQL2/4 selected [Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/)[4.6 (1975)](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/reviews/) [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/)[4.6 (2094)](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/reviews/) [## Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/)[4.6 (1975)](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/reviews/) [## MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/)[4.6 (2094)](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/reviews/) Starting Price $13748.00one time Starting Price $13748.00one time Value-for-Money 4.3 Functionality 4.6 Ease of Use 4.3 Customer Service 4.3 Starting Price $2000.00/year Starting Price $2000.00/year Value-for-Money 4.6 Functionality 4.5 Ease of Use 4.4 Customer Service 4.2 Reviews Sentiment Based on [1,975 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/reviews/) Positive 1,916 Neutral 55 Negative 4 Positive 1,916 Neutral 55 Negative 4 Reviews Sentiment Based on [2,094 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/reviews/) Positive 2,015 Neutral 76 Negative 3 Positive 2,015 Neutral 76 Negative 3 Best for (according to reviews) - **Business size**: Small businesses account for 42% of reviews, reflecting high usage rates, followed by enterprises (28%) and midsize businesses (19%). - **Industry**: Computer software (25%), IT services (19%), and financial services (4%) together represent 48% of reviews, indicating broad adoption across tech-driven sectors. - **Use cases**: Database management (88%), RDBMS (32%), and business intelligence (25%) are primary, highlighting strong focus on data storage, processing, and analytics. Best for (according to reviews) - **Business size**: Small businesses account for 54% of reviews (1122), suggesting strong market traction among smaller organizations, with notable adoption by enterprises (24%) and midsize businesses (16%). - **Industry**: Computer software (28%), IT services (22%), and education management (4%) collectively represent 54% of reviews, highlighting diverse industry adoption. - **Use cases**: Database usage dominates with 96% of reviews, followed by rdbms (11%) and machine learning (3%), indicating primary focus on data management. ## Not a match? Find software alternatives tailored to your priorities. 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Users appreciate its ease of use for SQL queries, integration with Microsoft products, and suitability for large-scale data analysis and ERP backends. However, they mention that its high pricing and resource demands may be a drawback for smaller businesses. MySQL MySQL users consider it ideal for web-based servers, local testing, and projects requiring cost-effective, scalable database management. They value its open-source nature, strong community support, and flexible migration and backup processes. Reviewers highlight its granular access controls and efficient storage optimization, though they note limitations with large-scale data management and performance in high-concurrency environments. ## Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Features comparison In the database market, Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL both offer a range of features, and comparing them goes beyond just looking at price. Understanding which functionalities align with your specific requirements can help maximize value and eliminate unnecessary spending. Below is a breakdown of the most critical aspects to consider. \[[1](#source-item-1)\] Key features rated by users Features selected based on 8,751 reviews from Database users. about the Fit Score methodology. Fit Score methodology To calculate the Fit Score, our proprietary methodology factors in the following: - The importance level for each feature. By default, this is determined by user reviews. They can rate a feature Critical, High, Low, or Not Used. - Feedback from real users on how the product performs for each key feature, derived from verified user reviews and ratings. Please note: - To calculate the Fit Score, the number of reviews for those features and the actual rating carry the same weight. You might see that, in some cases, even though the ratings are the same, we still determine a winner because it had more reviews. - If the Fit Score is not shown for a specific product, that only means there are currently not enough relevant data points to develop a meaningful score. It does not indicate that the product should be excluded from further evaluation. Microsoft SQL Server 88%Fit High performer Feature ratings Data Storage Management 4.6 Backup and Recovery 4.6 Access Controls/Permissions 4.5 Data Migration 4.4 MySQL 93%Fit Feature ratings Data Storage Management 4.6 Backup and Recovery 4.4 Access Controls/Permissions 4.5 Data Migration 4.4 Data Storage Management 4.6 (372) 4.6 (378) Microsoft SQL Server users appreciate its robust data storage management capabilities, noting its flexibility in handling large datasets, efficient data retrieval, and the ability to store data securely. They find it convenient to use, even for those without prior SQL knowledge, and value its integration with third-party tools for enhanced storage management. MySQL users, on the other hand, highlight its effective and reliable storage management features, including support for various storage engines and table partitioning. They appreciate its scalability, data integrity, and the ability to optimize storage using features like compression. Overall, users find Microsoft SQL Server efficient for large-scale data storage, while they value MySQL for its flexibility and optimization features. Backup and Recovery 4.6 (370) 4.4 (526) Reviewers find Microsoft SQL Server's backup and recovery features crucial for protecting data from various failures. They appreciate the customization options for creating and scheduling backups, as well as the ease of use when recovering data. Users also value its integration with third-party tools and the ability to perform backups with minimal downtime. MySQL users, meanwhile, praise its versatile backup strategies, including full, incremental, and point-in-time recovery. They find the automated backup scheduling and the use of tools like mysqldump to be reliable and efficient. In summary, users think Microsoft SQL Server offers robust backup and recovery options, while they appreciate MySQL's flexibility and automation in backup processes. Access Controls/Permissions 4.5 (184) 4.5 (528) Microsoft SQL Server users value its strict access control and permissions, which they say help maintain security by restricting access based on roles and groups. They find it easy to assign specific permissions and appreciate its integration with Active Directory. However, some users mention that the access control management can be complicated. MySQL users also emphasize the importance of access controls and permissions for data security and integrity. They appreciate the granular control over user access and the ability to set specific privileges for different users. Overall, users find both Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL effective in managing access controls, with Microsoft SQL Server noted for its integration with Active Directory and MySQL for its granular control and flexibility. Data Migration 4.4 (170) 4.4 (420) Microsoft SQL Server users find data migration to be a key feature, appreciating its ease of use and support for various file types. They value the import/export wizards and the integration with tools like SSIS for efficient data migration. However, some users mention that large-scale migrations can be complex. MySQL users, on the other hand, highlight the simplicity and efficiency of its data migration process. They appreciate the support for various migration methods and the ability to use tools like MySQL Workbench for seamless migration. In general, users think Microsoft SQL Server provides robust tools for data migration, while they value MySQL's straightforward and efficient migration process. ## Pricing comparison ### Starting prices Microsoft SQL Server $13748.00 Flat Rate (One Time) Free Trial Free Version [View pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/pricing/) MySQL $2000.00 Per User (Per Year) Free Trial Free Version ### Value-for-money analysis 4.3 (1975) 4.6 (2094) A dive into reviewer perceptions about the value for money of both Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL demonstrates that Microsoft SQL Server reviewers consider it to offer a robust set of features and scalability options, while MySQL reviewers comment on its cost-effectiveness and open-source nature. Reviewers find Microsoft SQL Server to be a powerful tool with various licensing options, including a free version for small businesses. They appreciate its extensive features and the ability to scale as needed. However, some users mention that the licensing costs can be high, especially for advanced features, and the pricing structure can be complex and confusing. When it comes to MySQL, reviewers highlight its open-source availability and the cost savings it provides. They appreciate that it is free for many uses and offers a wide range of functionalities comparable to commercial products. Nonetheless, some users note that the free version lacks advanced features and that enterprise-level support can be costly. ## How does the user experience compare on Microsoft SQL Server vs MySQL? ### Overall rating 4.6 (1975) 4.6 (2094) ### User interface Microsoft SQL Server MySQL ### Customer service and support Microsoft SQL Server Email/Help Desk FAQs/Forum Knowledge Base Phone Support 24/7 (Live rep) Chat MySQL Email/Help Desk FAQs/Forum Knowledge Base Phone Support 24/7 (Live rep) Chat ## What users say about the pros and cons of Microsoft SQL Server vs MySQL These database software solutions have been evaluated by verified reviewers on Capterra. Check out what real users say about Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL to find out which one would work best for your needs. Users appreciate Microsoft SQL Server for its robust database management, noting its ease of use, integration with other Microsoft products, and efficient relational database capabilities. They also value its data management features, highlighting its ability to handle ERP backends and perform data analysis and visualizations. Reviewers find SQL queries straightforward to write and execute, with helpful prompts and integration with various applications. Meanwhile, MySQL users commend its database management for web-based servers and local testing, as well as its fine-grained control and ease of use. They also praise its strong community support and scalability for both small and large projects. When it comes to cons, Microsoft SQL Server users often mention its high pricing and resource consumption, which can be a barrier for smaller companies. They also note performance issues with concurrent user access and a complex installation process. At the same time, MySQL users highlight its limitations in data management, particularly with large-scale data and real-time applications. They also report issues with error handling and performance speed, especially in high-concurrency environments. \[[2](#source-item-2)\] Pros Microsoft SQL Server SB Sachita B StudentInformation Technology and Services, Self-employedUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most user-friendly database tools, it is used to run queries manage tables , see execution plans.“ November 20, 2025 KK Kayla K Sales engineerAutomotive, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “Its user-friendly management tools, strong security features, and powerful analytics capabilities make it a reliable choice for handling complex data workloads.“ March 13, 2025 MySQL Jack I IT Development LeadInsurance, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “MySQL is an intuitive database language that provides incredible reliability and scalability for what is a community driven language.“ July 26, 2025 NH Nay Myo H Software EngineerBanking, 201 - 500 employeesUsed the software for: I used a free trial. “MySQL is one of the most widely used databases, meaning there’s extensive documentation, community support, and established best practices that can assist in troubleshooting and optimization.“ October 28, 2024 Cons Microsoft SQL Server AF Adashia F OwnerHealth, Wellness and Fitness, Self-employedUsed the software for: I used a free trial. “The Multi-factor Authentication on all Microsoft products can really be a pain more than a help.“ February 2, 2026 ZP Zoe P EmployeeMining & Metals, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The costs can also blow out depending on your licensing requirements and if running locally in house, the hardware costs.“ June 7, 2025 MySQL Rhys B Senior Product ManagerBiotechnology, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The UI sometimes crashes when trying to export large CSV's from exported results, which is critical to our workflow.“ March 30, 2026 ML Margaret L Owner - AdministratorE-Learning, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “At the beginning of using it, I didn't create a backup and lost one of my websites. Until I purchased a back-up service, I did back-ups myself and it was very time consuming because of my website size.“ November 9, 2024 * * * Sources 1. Our research team identified features from vendor websites based on their analysis of what users find valuable or expect from database software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor’s website. 2. Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score. They represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. * * * Need Help Deciding Between Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL? 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