Microsoft Azure SQL Database Reviews

Name: Microsoft Azure SQL Database
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.3 (116 reviews)

Vendor: Microsoft

4.3 out of 5

116 reviews
96% willing to recommend

576 followers

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What is Microsoft Azure SQL Database?

Microsoft Azure SQL Database is a relational database-as-a-service that delivers predictable performance, scalability, business continuity, data protection, and near-zero administration to cloud developers and solution architects. This is the deep technical library for Azure SQL Database.

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Microsoft Azure SQL Database is the #1 ranked solution in top Database as a Service vendors. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Azure SQL Database an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 116 most recent Microsoft Azure SQL Database reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.2. Microsoft Azure SQL Database is most commonly compared to Amazon RDS: Microsoft Azure SQL Database vs Amazon RDS. Microsoft Azure SQL Database is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 73% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 71% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Azure SQL Database

December 2024

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Helped 824,052 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Adam Carlson

Senior Technical Lead (Sharepoint) at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

I use Azure SQL for reporting on data that I've collected for administration purposes Azure SQL improves my personal productivity because I can have a larger database. The toolset is familiar to me since I've used SQL Server on-premises for quite a few years. Azure SQL Server integrates with…

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Maanda Ambani

Senior AI Specialist at Nedbank

Our migration to Azure for most databases has increased our organization's efficiency and reduced the maintenance required to manage on-premises infrastructure. With on-premises infrastructure, you have to build and maintain your setup. It has reduced our downtime. We've improved our productivity because we can automate database deployments and script execution within the database.

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Dushan Petrovic

Manager, CRM Development at CooperSurgical

The ease of use of SQL Server is among the most valuable aspects. Coming from a Microsoft background, it is especially easy to connect and work with SQL Server. Developing .NET applications is easier with SQL Server as a background. The ability to easily integrate with other Microsoft applications has also helped.

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Microsoft Azure SQL Database mindshare

As of December 2024, the mindshare of Microsoft Azure SQL Database in the Database as a Service (DBaaS) category stands at 17.3%, down from 19.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Database as a Service (DBaaS)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Database as a Service (DBaaS)	Dec 26, 2024	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Dec 26, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure SQL Database vs Amazon RDS	Dec 26, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure SQL Database vs MongoDB Atlas	Dec 26, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure SQL Database vs Oracle Database as a Service	Dec 26, 2024	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Amazon RDS	4.2	25.9%	98%	53 interviews Add to research
Google Cloud SQL	4.2	17.2%	100%	21 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Microsoft Azure SQL Database offers key features like scalability, reliability, high availability, and easy integration with Microsoft applications. Users appreciate easy provisioning and global accessibility. The platform's cost-effectiveness, security, and robust performance stand out. Its compatibility for AI applications and seamless data migration are highly valued. The user interface is intuitive, making deployment and database management straightforward. Integration with Azure Data Factory and other services enhances operational efficiency and data processing.

"Azure SQL Database is very quick and easy to use."
"I rate Microsoft Azure SQL Database 10 out of 10."
"It's easy to work with large amounts of data, query it, and bring it back to a visualization tool to show it to the end users."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Azure SQL Database requires enhanced security features, improved scalability, and cost-effectiveness. There are concerns about complex pricing, limited third-party integration, and incomplete compatibility with on-premises functionalities. Users desire better query performance analysis, more user-friendly interfaces, and enhanced documentation. Automated performance optimization and more intuitive tools for managing Azure resources and databases are necessary. Additionally, support for advanced features like dynamic scaling without interruptions and seamless migration support could greatly benefit users.

"There are compatibility issues that prevent Azure SQL Database from being a direct replacement for SQL Server running on a virtual machine."
"One area for improvement is data virtualization. Companies use different data sources, creating a separate data virtualization layer, and there are more data sources behind that layer. For example, we have different data layers for Excel, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, etc. Creating a data virtualization layer would help because you retain the metadata of your source data."
"Azure SQL had a bit of a learning curve to start, but it was fairly simple once I understood how to develop it."

ROI

Microsoft Azure SQL Database delivers cost reductions and increases scalability, making it more economically efficient compared to on-premises systems. Organizations have experienced up to 50% returns and significant savings, like reducing data center size by 80% and cutting annual costs from $20 million to $5 million. Pay-per-use pricing enhances cost management and flexibility. Users report decreased total ownership costs due to reduced infrastructure and licensing expenses, with noted savings in elastic pools and vCore provisioning.

Pricing

Microsoft Azure SQL Database offers competitive pricing but requires careful monitoring of resources to manage costs effectively. Users find that costs can vary based on consumption, with flexible pay-as-you-go models but potentially high fees for enterprise licenses. Some report challenges in predicting costs accurately due to scalable options and resource-based pricing. While Azure offers elastic features and hybrid benefits to reduce expenses, compared to other platforms, its pricing might be seen as complex and occasionally pricier.

"From a licensing benefit standpoint, we have clients who are coming with their own SQL licensing with Software Assurance, and they are able to use those licenses for their Azure SQL and reduce costs."
"If we use a smaller or free-sized Microsoft Azure SQL Database, it is extremely cost-effective and much cheaper than on-premise enterprise licenses, which are expensive."
"Microsoft Azure SQL Database is not cheap."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations utilize Microsoft Azure SQL Database for various functions including application and data management, cloud hosting, and business intelligence analytics. It supports integration with other platforms such as Power BI and Dynamics 365. It is leveraged for scalability in data-intensive environments like retail and healthcare, and for hosting relational and transactional databases. Businesses choose it for database migration to cloud systems, supporting ERP solutions, and enhancing operational efficiency across sectors like banking and government.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for Microsoft Azure SQL Database are generally well-regarded. Users praise the availability of extensive online resources and responsive technical support. Experiences vary, with some users noting prompt and knowledgeable service, while others mention challenges in reaching support and response delays. Premium support offers more personalized services. Many users report relying on documentation and online resources due to their comprehensive nature, reducing the need for direct support.

Deployment

Users find Microsoft Azure SQL Database's initial setup generally straightforward and easy. Many experience quick deployments, often completing within hours, benefiting from cloud-managed features. However, some encounter complexity due to specific requirements, networking challenges, or migration from on-premises systems. Experienced users and those familiar with Microsoft's ecosystem adapt more smoothly, while newcomers may face learning curves with certain configurations or documentation clarity issues. Most appreciate the minimal installation and streamlined cloud operations.

Scalability

Microsoft Azure SQL Database is praised for its robust scalability, accommodating thousands of users and adjustable performance levels. Users value its cloud-based flexibility, allowing easy scaling without physical infrastructure changes. Many appreciate the quick adjustment capabilities, though some note scaling limitations. Overall, users report minimal issues with increased loads and find Microsoft-managed resources beneficial. Azure SQL Database is favored for facilitating growth, making it suitable for expanding businesses with growing data and user requirements.

Stability

Microsoft Azure SQL Database is highly stable and reliable, frequently rated eight to ten out of ten for stability. Users consistently report no bugs or glitches and minimal downtime, leading to excellent performance even under large workloads. Latency issues can occur due to geographic distance, but many state it runs smoothly with optimized setups. Past experiences highlighted constraints with large databases, yet most find it performs well without noticeable latency when well configured.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Microsoft Azure SQL Database Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.