--- description: Learn more about Microsoft SQL Server price, benefits, and disadvantages for businesses in Australia. Read reviews from verified users and discover similar tools that fit your business needs. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress title: Microsoft SQL Server Cost & Reviews - Capterra Australia 2026 --- Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Database Software](/directory/18/database-management/software) > [Microsoft SQL Server](/software/1417/sql-server) # Microsoft SQL Server Canonical: https://www.capterra.com.au/software/1417/sql-server Page: 1 / 81\ Next: [Next page](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/1417/sql-server?page=2) > Database and analysis offering for rapidly delivering the next generation of scalable e-commerce \& line-of-business solutions. > > Verdict: Rated **4.6/5** by 1981 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**. ----- ## Overview ### Who Uses Microsoft SQL Server? Companies of all sizes, looking for database management software ## Quick Stats & Ratings | Metric | Rating | Detail | | **Overall** | **4.6/5** | 1981 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**: USD 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 - Ad hoc Reporting - Backup and Recovery - Collaboration Tools - Dashboard - Data Connectors - Data Import/Export - Data Replication - Data Synchronization - Data Visualization - Multiple Data Sources - Performance Metrics - Predictive Analytics - Reporting & Statistics - Search/Filter - Visual Analytics ## 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 - [Database Software](https://www.capterra.com.au/directory/18/database-management/software) ## Related Categories - [Database Software](https://www.capterra.com.au/directory/18/database-management/software) - [Business Intelligence (BI) Tools](https://www.capterra.com.au/directory/23/business-intelligence/software) ## Alternatives 1. [MySQL](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/11482/mysql) — 4.6/5 (2098 reviews) 2. [Google Cloud](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/170983/google-cloud-platform) — 4.7/5 (2322 reviews) 3. [MongoDB](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/127374/mongodb) — 4.7/5 (472 reviews) 4. [Airtable](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/146652/airtable) — 4.6/5 (2243 reviews) 5. [Microsoft Access](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/1015743/microsoft-access) — 4.4/5 (210 reviews) ## Reviews ### "Reliable and Powerful Database Management System" — 5.0/5 > **Piyusha** | *4 August 2026* | Hospital & Health Care | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10 > > **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. > > 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. ----- ### "SQL Server is a robust tool that's quite capable to handle any sort of databases you can throw at it" — 4.0/5 > **Zoe** | *7 June 2025* | Mining & Metals | Recommendation rating: 8.0/10 > > **Pros**: What I like most is this product is now very very stable. It's almost rock solid and runs without many issues. It can't handle data of all shapes/sizes, and provides easy tools for admins and users alike. > > **Cons**: MY least favorite aspect of SQL server is managing security and roles for databases. Sometimes I feel like I end up in an endless spider-web of permissions trying to figure everything out. The costs can also blow out depending on your licensing requirements and if running locally in house, the hardware costs. > > Overall my experience is it's very robust as a database. Stored procedures run quickly, the server is always running, and we hardly ever have to interfere with it and its operations. It's almost been like a set and forget kind of thing. ----- ### "Easy to integrate and monitor in a complex application" — 4.0/5 > **Aditya** | *21 April 2025* | Computer Software | Recommendation rating: 8.0/10 > > **Pros**: Simple and Easy to setup, monitor and integrate in any application. > > **Cons**: It is a bit expensive and found it a bit confusing when it comes to understanding cores and CALs. > > I am using SQL server from past 10 years and never faced any issue. ----- ### "Best database tool in the market" — 5.0/5 > **Suraj** | *29 January 2026* | Computer Software | Recommendation rating: 7.0/10 > > **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. > > Very positive. Given little bit of changes it is the best tool I used for the databases. It is a very reliable system. ----- ### "Tried and true SQL Server that works well with other Microsoft apps." — 5.0/5 > **David** | *4 December 2025* | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **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. > > 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. ----- Page: 1 / 81\ Next: [Next page](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/1417/sql-server?page=2) ## Links - [View on Capterra](https://www.capterra.com.au/software/1417/sql-server) ## This page is available in the following languages | Locale | URL | | de | | | de-AT | | | de-CH | | | en | | | en-AE | | | en-AU | | | en-CA | | | en-GB | | | en-IE | | | en-IL | | | en-IN | | | en-NZ | | | en-SG | | | en-ZA | | | es | | | es-AR | | | es-CL | | | es-CO | | | es-CR | | | es-DO | | | es-EC | | | es-MX | | | es-PA | | | es-PE | | | fr | | | fr-BE | | | fr-CA | | | fr-LU | | | it | | | ja | | | nl | | | nl-BE | | | pt | | | pt-PT | | ----- ## Structured Data