--- title: "Microsoft SQL Server Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is Microsoft SQL Server the right Database solution for you? Explore 1981 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" --- Microsoft SQL Server 4.6 (1981) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/1417/SQL-Server/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated August 20th, 2026 # Reviews of Microsoft SQL Server Ease of use 4.3 Customer Service 4.3 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews DR Dave R ManagerMechanical or Industrial Engineering, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “It offers excellent reliability, strong security features, robust backup and recovery capabilities, and integrates well with other Microsoft products.“ July 14, 2026 LD Leo D Embedded software test engineerImport and Export, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Feature overload can confuse even seasoned DBAs.“ April 9, 2026 DR Dave R ManagerMechanical or Industrial Engineering, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “It serves as a dependable database platform supporting business applications, integrations, and operational data across our environment.“ July 14, 2026 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 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. “One downside of Microsoft SQL Server is its high licensing costs, which can be prohibitive for smaller businesses.“ March 13, 2025 TY Tom Y Developer and administratorNewspapers, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “I like the most about Microsoft SQL server always on and SSIS feature, one for cluster and one for Data ETL.“ July 25, 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 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 1981 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Suraj D. Senior AI engineer Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best database tool in the market" January 29, 2026 5.0 Very positive. Given little bit of changes it is the best tool I used for the databases. It is a very reliable system. Pros Microsoft SQl server is widely used too and it makes the support and maintenance better. Also handling queries and maintaining data is easier in the Microsoft SQL server. Cons It is a bit slow to handle billions of rows. Also it is not evolved into the vector databases. The UI could be improved. Review Source DS David S. VP of Technology Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Tried and true SQL Server that works well with other Microsoft apps." December 4, 2025 5.0 Used MS SQL Server with our Aptean Made 2 Manage ERP system as it is part of the software's requirements. A third party contractor assisting us with the ERP installation also assisted with the SQL setup. However, we have managed the SQL server internally for over 15 years. Have even migrated from older versions to newer versions without a hiccup. Pros Ease of use with current ERP system (Aptean Made 2 Manage V. 7.51). Works well with MS Report Builder and Power Query within Excel. Cons There is a steep learning curve for non-SQL and non-database users. It's a skillset that is not standard, but necessary for any database management. Alternatives considered [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/)[Cloud SQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/246666/Cloud-SQL/) Reason for choosing Microsoft SQL Server Ease of use across Microsoft Apps environment. Review Source DR Dave R. Manager Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Powerful Database Platform for Business-Critical Applications" July 14, 2026 5.0 Our experience with Microsoft SQL Server has been very positive. It serves as a dependable database platform supporting business applications, integrations, and operational data across our environment. The platform has consistently delivered strong performance, reliability, and security while providing the scalability needed to support future growth. From an IT administration perspective, SQL Server has been an important part of maintaining stable business operations and supporting critical enterprise systems. Pros Microsoft SQL Server provides a stable, secure, and high-performance database platform for business-critical applications. It offers excellent reliability, strong security features, robust backup and recovery capabilities, and integrates well with other Microsoft products. From an IT perspective, it provides dependable performance while simplifying database administration and long-term maintenance. Cons Licensing costs can become significant as environments grow, and some advanced administration, performance tuning, and high-availability features require specialized database expertise. Smaller organizations may also find the licensing and edition options somewhat complex. Review Source SB SREEREKHA B. Lead Developer Computer Software Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Ease of using Microsoft Sql Server" May 3, 2025 3.0 Good to use to develop databases, triggers, database plans, schenas Pros Convenient to develop a database using sql server Cons Integrates with mostly microsoft softwares and tools only Review Source BS Ben S. Infrastructure Architect Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Microsoft SQL Server is the databse of choice for no-nonsense, fast, and easy to use SQL enviroments." April 28, 2026 5.0 I could not say enough good things about Microsoft SQL Server “MSSQL”. It does everything we need and more. Pros Microsoft SQL Server “MSSQL” has been the most stable and capable database I have ever user. In over 30 years I have never had, seen, or even heard of a MSSQL database corruption. The application is easy to use, fast, consistent, and integrates into everything with no problems. Cons The costs for Microsoft SQL Server “MSSQL” can get extreme, but especially when working within K-12 the discounts make it basically free to use. Switched from [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) MySQL could not handle to back up and restores that were required in a production enviroment. Review Source PG Patric G. CIO Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Several decades with Microsoft SQL Server" July 3, 2025 4.0 I use SQL Server for a long time and the capabilities (compared to Oracle) have been massively expanded during this time. I implement many business processes directly in stored procedures/functions with T-SQL or as CLR functions with C#. I also usually prepare the results of queries within the stored procedures. In doing so, I often pass a string to the procedure that contains a complex structure, which I then break down within the procedure to control the desired outcome. I know this is a dirty way of doing, but for me it works and it is fast! Pros The licensing costs are much lower than with Oracle, even though the Oracle database is a bit better in terms of performance. Furthermore, the licensing of the individual Oracle features is a science in itself. Also the rarely used option to run C# code in the database core is also important to me. Cons The installation on linux/unix systems is not so good described (in my opinion). Also i miss a mobile Version (like SQLLite) and i think LocalDB is not an option. Alternatives considered [PostgreSQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/48791/PostgreSQL/)[MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) Reason for choosing Microsoft SQL Server Possibility to use SQL CLR and C# code inside the db-kernel and the language add ons of t-sql. Switched from [Oracle Database](https://www.capterra.com/p/5938/Oracle-Database/) The feature of sql server was simliar to the oracle features but less hard to install and much cheaper. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Software Developer Health, Wellness and Fitness Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Overall good experience" February 14, 2026 4.0 Overall good product with only minor cons of time required to learn for beginners and and some improvements to UI would be good. Pros Great choice for relational database management system. My first choice when learning database management server deployment. Cons Only minor cons such as learning curve for new to SQL Server Databases. May require significant time investment. User interface could use a little bit of improvment. Alternatives considered [MongoDB](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/) Reason for choosing Microsoft SQL Server No reason other than experiencing and learning a different database server system. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer CEO - IT Consultant Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The Power of SQL on Microsoft" May 29, 2025 4.0 I have used Microsoft SQL along side other SQL database systems for many years and have used it as the data engine behind many software, websites and apps. Pros Microsoft SQL Server is a strong database software and engine well designed and built to operate well with other Microsoft products. Cons Microsoft SQL has a little bit of a learning curve and takes some effort to install and maintain. It is not as easy to use and manage as other SQL database systems available in the market. Alternatives considered [MySQL Data Access Components](https://www.capterra.com/p/250785/MySQL-Data-Access-Components/)[MongoDB](https://www.capterra.com/p/127374/MongoDB/)[MySQL Auto Backup](https://www.capterra.com/p/32412/MySQL-Auto-Backup/)[Oracle Database](https://www.capterra.com/p/5938/Oracle-Database/)[MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) Reason for choosing Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft SQL integrates well within the Microsoft environment and it is reliable and capable of managing the data storage any data requirements that my operations may need. Review Source PP Piyusha P. Customer service operator Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Reliable and Powerful Database Management System" August 4, 2026 5.0 My overall experience with Microsoft SQL Server has been very positive. It provides excellent performance, reliable data management, and a comprehensive set of features for developing and maintaining databases. The platform is stable, easy to use for day-to-day tasks, and offers strong security and backup options. While the licensing costs may be a consideration, the overall functionality, scalability, and reliability make it a great choice for businesses of all sizes. Pros Microsoft SQL Server is reliable, secure, and easy to manage for both small and enterprise-level databases. It offers powerful data management features, excellent performance, and strong integration with Microsoft tools like Power BI and Azure. The backup, restore, export, and reporting capabilities are robust, and SQL Server Management Studio makes database administration straightforward. Cons Licensing costs can be expensive, especially for enterprise editions. Some advanced features have a learning curve, and performance tuning for large databases may require experienced database administrators. Occasional updates can also require maintenance downtime. Review Source TY Tom Y. Developer and administrator Newspapers Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Developer and Administrator" July 25, 2026 5.0 Easy to use, can handle more and more data with each newer version, and cloud use of Microsoft SQL server in Azure. Pros I like the most about Microsoft SQL server always on and SSIS feature, one for cluster and one for Data ETL. Cons I think for Microsoft SQL server's scalability, it can be Improved for the scalability of SQL Server to handle larger data volumes and more complex workloads. Review Source TM Terry M. Senior Analyst Mining & Metals Used the software for: 2+ years ### "basic but powerful" May 8, 2025 4.0 Pros easy for maintenance, standardized sql database with dedicated area for logging, most straight forward database Cons lack some sort of advanced sql commands other databases support such as upsert which is crucial for daily data management Alternatives considered [Amazon S3](https://www.capterra.com/p/174285/Amazon-S3/)[Microsoft Azure](https://www.capterra.com/p/16365/Azure/) Reason for choosing Microsoft SQL Server cost is significantly lower, we did not have huge data capacity requirement Review Source VR Verified Reviewer software developer Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "MS SQL Server Review" January 15, 2023 5.0 I love it, it is my first personal preference. And I love teaching others using Microsoft SQL server because it's easily understood. Pros It is easy to use for data transfer and data retrieval.It enables you to create stored procedures and views.There is security for data storage, backup, and restoring your databases. Cons When there's a large amount of data in the database it tends to slow down the speed of fetching data Switched from [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com/p/11482/MySQL/) , simply because it cannot support huge database sizes and Transactions are not handled efficiently. Review Source LM Lachlan M. IT Manager Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Microsoft SQL Server was solid power under our data" May 7, 2025 5.0 Microsoft SQL Server handles large data fast and is stable for all kind of queries. Pros It’s flexible with many management tools for this price that other database platforms don’t include Cons Performance is solid but the licence rules could be more clear, with better examples to guide purchase. Review Source JP Jennifer P. Sr. Auditor Insurance Used the software for: 2+ years ### "SQL Server User" February 3, 2025 4.0 Pros Easily able to generate reports for auditing data if there is a script readily available. You can also provide multiple users with access to the license and run the same reports at the same time. Cons There is no-real time processing to capture data at certain times and limits the number of line items when there are huge amounts of data. The software is also not easy to use for first time users and they have to take training courses to be able to write scripts and understand how to perform certain functions. The other disadvantage is that it does not provide a path to identify which server you need to be on for the script to run. Review Source IP Issac P. Senior Engineer Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The most suitable application for working with databases" January 4, 2025 4.0 SQL server is a critical tool for retrieving storing and editing databases and tables. The query editor is useful to write custom queries and preview the results Pros All databases stored in sql server can be easily accessed in other systems such as powerbi and excel with your existing account credentials and just by providing database and table names Cons The learning curve for complex query is quite high without basic knowledge of SQL language it is quite hard to write queries Review Source PS Prashish S. Developer Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Jr. developer" November 28, 2024 5.0 Pros Easy to use, not complicated, easy to use for coding. Easy to download Cons Hard to find the debug, not friendly for the new user. Review Source CB Carmela B. Data business analyst Insurance Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Important tool for organization" February 22, 2025 4.0 Our IT department uses it and we have learned about how it works Pros Being able to retrieve and store data is important Cons Not too many cons, it's useful in our business Review Source SA Shubham A. SQL Database Consultant Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best Relational Database with great data capabilities" February 13, 2024 5.0 Pros It supports RDBMS, so it is easy to write SQL queries in SQL Server. User Interface is very good and its easy to implement. It can handle large amount of data. You can mask the data if it contains sensitive or PII information. By Implementing Disaster recovery, at any point in time we can recover the data. Cons Unlike Databricks SQL, SQL server does not provide data visualization functionality. Data Extraction is show if the table contains large amount of data. Review Source GJ Gordon J. Senior SAP Consultant Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Microsoft SQL Server will meet all your Database Server needs" September 11, 2023 5.0 Overall, Microsoft SQL server is a powerful database server option in the market. Pros \- Microsoft SQL server is indeed a robust Database Server option. In this review, I will talk about Microsoft SQL in terms of SAP and compare it to its alternative option in SAP - the HANA Server. - When it comes to SAP ERP, our clients have two options for their database server needs - Microsoft SQL Server or HANA server. Microsoft SQL server is great option that will get the job done. Most of us consultants, have the SQL server installed in our local machines since it is impossible to install the HANA server in our local machines because of the heavy resources needed. SAP HANA requires a minimum of 32 GB ram for example.- Microsoft SQL server is easy to install especially the if you are installing the Express Version which is very light and install quickly. - I did not require much training to be able to use the basic features of Microsoft SQL server and I get a free license for my local machine if you install the evaluation version on your machine. Cons \- Compared to SAP HANA Server, Microsoft SQL Server has less analytical capabilities but generally, Microsoft SQL is a powerful database server option in the market.- There is a bit of a learning curve involved. If you want to be able to do some complex tasks in Microsoft SQL server, you might need to employ the use of some learning material. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Support Team Lead Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "SQL Server Management Studio 18" November 7, 2023 5.0 Overall, a great experience over the last 13 years of use. Easy to set up databases, query them and performance is great. Pros The interface is very easy to use and once you have connected up, the expandable and collapsible views of your databases, tables, stored procs, views, sql jobs etc and easily viewable and excellent to navigate through. You can customise the icon and buttons to suit your setup preferences. The performance of SSMS has dramtically increased over the past few years and the features and functions they offer are great. For someone who has been in support and not a full fledged developer, this is an excellent enterprise tool to manage your data and connect it with .NET applications. Cons Nothing as of yet. I have found it to meet my needs each and every time. Review Source KF Kevin F. DBA Consumer Goods Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Microsoft SQL Server - A stable enterprise base and development platform." June 3, 2021 5.0 I've used MSSQL for a wide variety of applications from the very large (SAP and Hybris) to small boutique and custom applications. It's amazingly easy to use and administer and users never complain about it. Pros The development and administration tools are amazing and third party offerings are numerous. There is an amazing support network from Microsoft and millions of users around the world. Cons I've always thought the text search was a little clumsy to implement and administer. Clustering is still very complicated but the Azure offering simplifies this a great deal, Reason for choosing Microsoft SQL Server Ease of use on a Windows platform. Review Source BH Brian H. Software Engineer Computer Software Used the software for: 2+ years ### "SQL Server a powerful and affordable solution" August 26, 2021 5.0 I have been creating software solutions for customers that have limited budget and smaller data needs for many years and SQL Server is almost always my first choice for relational databases. Its a solid platform, feature rich, and predictable (for me at least). Pros Fully featured for express version (free with up to 10 gb of capacity) is great for small to mid sized software needs. Easy to work with and configure. It runs on Windows and Linux. Cons It feels a bit bloated at times when resources are scarce (RAM and CPU). Review Source SB Shawn B. Financial Systems Data Analyst Legal Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "SQL Server a Building Block of Tech Stack" December 10, 2021 5.0 Good overall experience. We're addressing the need to store, transform, and retrieve data. Information has become the backbone of many technological and business operations, and almost everything I work on goes through a SQL database to accomplish the job. It's one tier of applications that is used almost everywhere. SQL Server allows us to query data for reporting to end users, and also provides options to move and transform the data to different environments. Pros At our firm, we have a completely Microsoft tech stack; from servers, databases, middleware, peripheral applications, etc. When using all Microsoft products, it is extremely easy to connect and integrate between applications, servers, and databases. I am less sure about integrating with other providers (such as oracle), but I know its possible with a little more effort. Maintenance, backups, restores, disaster recovery plans all seem routine now. The product is very familiar and there is ample documentation and general SQL training. Get a good DBA and your servers will stay healthy as well; certain system settings are important, and monitoring those and adjusting for your business is prudent. SSMS is an easy IDE to use and perform any function. You can use SQL to automate many tasks, and I really like the SQL jobs. SSIS lets me automate so much, even to and from external vendors, using SFTP or some other mechanism. It extends SQL Server to use any script or basic Windows command. Cons When you run into an issue, it can be hard to resolve. An example would be when Microsoft data connectors aren't working. Understanding and getting the right supporting software installed is important; like OLE DB and ODBC connectors. Another difficulty can be performance. As data sets get larger, this is more important. While there are enough tools to investigate and troubleshoot, sometimes it's just a big effort to try to query tune, index, or adjust server settings to get the results in performance that you want. Queries seem to only get more complex, and data sets larger. I am pretty sure other databases will perform better with Big Data. Review Source AK Apurva K. Software Engineer Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Microsoft SQL Server is one of the easiest and convenient SQL server to use for a beginner" April 20, 2023 5.0 Database management in an IT organization that deals with customer data is not an issue to be resolved, it is a necessity. Pros Microsoft SQL server is very efficient to use, as a developer with limited database management knowledge, I found it very helpful to get the prompts for the completion of commands, correction of syntax, and search/filter other tables for similar commands. I absolutely love using Microsoft SQL Server for database management. Cons Everything I noticed is great about Microsoft SQL Server, since I havent worked much upon other database applications, I found it very quick to learn and implement. No dislikes for me. Review Source JA Jerry A. System Administrator Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Ridiculously powerful and full of features we do not make use of. We love it, and cannot do without." July 2, 2018 4.0 This software practically runs our facility. Without it, we couldn't keep track of our animals or our people (staff, members, donors). To us, this software is well worth the costs involved. Pros SQL Server is just so incredibly powerful, most users probably do not know how much it can do, or how much it can handle. In our type of organization, we deal with people and animals. We rely on donors and members for funding, we track everything about our animals from health issues, to medications, to physical exercise. Every one of our systems relies on, as the backbone, SQL Server. This software is powerful, versatile, and reliable. With pretty much every department of ours needing some type of database, standardizing to SQL Server was just the best move. It can handle it all. It can track it all. And it can report on it all for us. To date, we use it for: our Accounting software, our donor tracking, our membership tracking, our animal tracking (includes tracking from what zoo or aquarium animals came, their medical history, their exercise history, their diet, their location in our facility, their trainers, their behavioral issues/environmental factors), our vet's digital imaging systems, our guest services scheduling, our security systems (surveillance, door locks), our water quality and hvac sysytems logging and controls, our point of sale system (for admissions and food court and ecommerce), and our facility management software (maintenance and IT requests). This system does indeed handle everything we need it to. Cons You need a lot of training to make the most of it. Or it could cost you a lot if you have to pay a developer to help you get the most out of your systems. Luckily a couple of us are really into databases, and we both have a lot of experience with SQL, we can do most things in-house. But still the amount of training we go through to keep current, or to keep learning is probably the biggest "problem" with this software. Most software packages, you can buy, setup, receive a few hours or a few days of training, and you'll be good to go. With SQL, if you intend to use it, to get the most of out it, you will need more extensive training, or to hire people to put in the work. It's not cheap. But it can help you accomplish so much if you put in the time. Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.