Microsoft SQL Server - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

Reviewers appreciate Microsoft SQL Server's robust access controls and permissions capabilities. They highlight the ease of assigning roles and managing user access, which enhances data security. Users report the integration with Active Directory is beneficial, though some find the interface complicated. They value the granular control over permissions, allowing specific access to databases and tables. Reviewers feel this capability is essential for protecting business data and preventing unauthorized access. Of the 47 Microsoft SQL Server users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Access Controls/Permissions, 100% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Users report that Microsoft SQL Server's backup and recovery capabilities are reliable and easy to use. They appreciate the integration with third-party tools and the ability to perform full, differential, and transactional backups. Reviewers indicate that the GUI simplifies the backup process, though restoring newer backups to older versions can be problematic. They find the capability critical for disaster recovery and maintaining business continuity, with options for scheduling and automating backups. Of the 91 Microsoft SQL Server users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Backup and Recovery, 99% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“There is security for data storage, backup, and restoring your databases.”

Talimo L.

software developer

“behind its back and MS itself, you definitely worth considering it having as a primary database.”

GT

Gábor T.

IT Business Analyst

“Every now and then, I've seen that it is possible to have a restoration go wrong when one goes back to a previous point in time or to an earlier point in the restoration process.”

DW

Dinupa W.

Software Engineer

“Had a few teething problems with database corruption but backup software for SQL Server is now very mature and can handle it.”

JW

Jimmy W.

Network Admin / Consultant

Reviewers highlight Microsoft SQL Server's effective data storage management capabilities. They appreciate the secure environment for storing ERP and related data, as well as the ease of managing large datasets. Users report that the software supports various storage technologies and offers flexibility in data retrieval and updates. They find the tool useful for maintaining data integrity, consistency, and reducing redundancy, with both command-line and GUI options available for data management. Of the 69 Microsoft SQL Server users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Data Storage Management, 99% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Users appreciate the variety of data connectors available in Microsoft SQL Server. They highlight the ability to connect with external sources like flat files, Excel, and other databases using ODBC, JDBC, and native connectors. Reviewers find the integration with tools like Power BI and cloud services beneficial for data hosting and analysis. They report that the connectors facilitate seamless data import/export and enhance the database's versatility in different environments. Of the 32 Microsoft SQL Server users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Data Connectors, 88% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Reviewers value the performance analysis capabilities of Microsoft SQL Server. They highlight tools for performance tuning, query optimization, and monitoring, which help identify and resolve performance issues. Users report that the built-in capabilities like tuning advisor and system monitor provide comprehensive insights into database performance. They appreciate the ease of analyzing query efficiency and the overall reliability of the server in handling large datasets and complex queries. Of the 48 Microsoft SQL Server users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Performance Analysis, 85% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Users find Microsoft SQL Server's data migration capabilities efficient and user-friendly. They highlight the ease of migrating data between different database platforms and versions using import/export wizards and integration with SSIS. Reviewers report that the process is generally smooth, though large-scale migrations can be complex. They appreciate the support for various file types and the ability to synchronize data across different systems, making it a valuable tool for data migration tasks. Of the 47 Microsoft SQL Server users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Data Migration, 85% rated this feature as important or highly important.