SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It allows users to store, retrieve, and manage data in a database over an Intranet or over the Internet.
Microsoft has released multiple versions of SQL Server.
They are listed below.
| Version | Start Date | End Date | Extended End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft SQL Server 2005 | Jan 14, 2006 | Apr 12, 2011 | Apr 12, 2016 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2008 | Nov 6, 2008 | Jul 8, 2014 | Jul 9, 2019 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 | Jul 20, 2010 | Jul 8, 2014 | Jul 9, 2019 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2012 | May 20, 2012 | Jul 11, 2017 | Jul 12, 2022 |
| SQL Server 2014 | Jun 5, 2014 | Jul 9, 2019 | Jul 9, 2024 |
| SQL Server 2016 | Jun 1, 2016 | Jul 13, 2021 | Jul 14, 2026 |
| SQL Server 2017 | Sep 29, 2017 | Oct 11, 2022 | Oct 12, 2027 |
| SQL Server 2019 | Nov 4, 2019 | Jan 7, 2025 | Jan 8, 2030 |
Microsoft offers SQL Server editions with different features for different users.
Enterprise
Includes a core database engine and stand-alone services.
This edition can manage 524 petabytes databases, handle 12 terabytes of memory, and
support 640 logical CPU cores.
Standard
Like the enterprise, this edition also includes the core database engine
and stand-alone services. However, it supports fewer instances and does not
include the hot-add memory feature, where memory can be added while the server is
running, or parallel indexes.
Web
A low total-cost-of-ownership edition designed for web hosting.
Business Intelligence
Introduced in SQL Server 2012 which focuses on Self-Service and
Corporate Business Intelligence. It includes standard edition functions and BI tools
such as PowerPivot, Power View, BI Semantic Model, Master Data Services, Data Quality
Services, and xVelocity in-memory analytics.
Workgroup
Includes core database functionality without additional services.
Express
A scaled down and free edition of SQL Server. There is no limit in
terms of number of database and users but it only supports 1 processor, 1GB memory,
and 10GB database files.
Azure
A cloud-based version of Microsoft SQL Server offered as a
platform as a service (PaaS) in Microsoft Azure.
Compact (SQL CE)
An embedded database engine. This edition is based on SQL Mobile
but does not share the same binaries. It is limited to a 4GB maximum database size,
it cannot run as a Windows Service, and must be hosted by the application using it.
Developer
Includes the same features as SQL Server Enterprise Edition, but is limited
by the license in that it can only be used for development and testing.
Embedded (SSEE)
A specially configured instance of the SQL Server Express database engine
which can be accessed by certain Windows Services.
Evaluation
Also known as the Trial Edition which has all the features of
Enterprise Edition but limited for 180 days.
Fast Track
A dedicated version for ennterprise-scale data warehousing storage and
business intelligence processes. It runs on a platform optimized for Fast Track.
LocalDB
A minimal, on-demand, version of SQL Server designed for
developers. Can be embedded with the application.
Analytics Platform System (APS)
Formerly known as Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW), a massively
parallel processing SQL server optimized for large-scale data warehousing.
Datawarehouse Appliance Edition
Pre-installed and configured in partnership with Dell and HP based
on Fast Track architecture. This does not include SQL Server Integration Services,
Analysis Services, or Reporting Services.
MSDE
Microsoft SQL Server Data Engine or Desktop Engine or Desktop Edition
dedicated for application component. Does not include GUI management tools.
Personal
It has workload and connection limits like MSDE, but without database
limits. It includes standard management tools that are intented for mobile.
Datacenter
Designed for datacenters that need high levels of application support.
Supports 256 logical processors and virtually unlimited memory.
These are the latest SQL Server 2019 prices for each edition.
| Edition | Price | Licensing Model | Channel Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | $13,748 | 2 core pack | volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard - per core | $3,586 | 2 core pack | volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard - server | $899 | server | volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard - CAL | $209 | CAL | volume licensing, hosting |
| Developer | Free | per use | free download |
| Web | depends on partner | not applicable | hosting only |
| Express | Free | not applicable | free download |
| SQL Server Enterprise | $5,434/year | 2 core pack | volume licensing |
| SQL Server Standard | $1,418/year | 2 core pack | volume licensing |
| Big data node cores | $400/year | 2 core pack | volume licensing |
Single Database - The most basic deployment model where a single database is deployed in an Azure VM and managed using SQL Database server.
Elastic Pool - A group of interconnected databases that share pooled resources.
Managed Instance - A fully managed database that is easy to migrate from on-premise to the cloud.
General purpose - The default tier dedicated for standard workloads.
Business critical - Offers high resiliency and low latency performance for online transaction processing applications.
Hyperscale - An expansion of the business critical tier and designed for massive online transaction processing that enables auto-scaling of compute, storage, and other resources.
Provisioned - Database uses Azure resources dedicated to its SQL service.
Serverless - Database is operated as a serverless component where it can auto-scale and billed every second.
