Microsoft Azure SQL Database Reviews

Name: Microsoft Azure SQL Database
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.3 (115 reviews)

Vendor: Microsoft

4.3 out of 5

115 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 115 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 70% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Azure SQL Database

November 2024

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Helped 823,875 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

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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Michael Hamlett

Senior Manager, Information Technology of Data Strategies at a hospitality company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Some of the best features of Microsoft Azure SQL Database are its scalability, pricing, and ease of setup. It is quick to set up and easy to scale. As our data needs increase, scaling up is as straightforward as dragging a slider to increase processing speed. The product also offers automatic backups, giving us peace of mind about data security. For the features we receive, the price is very reasonable.

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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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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 18, 2024	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure SQL Database vs Amazon RDS	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure SQL Database vs MongoDB Atlas	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure SQL Database vs Oracle Database as a Service	Dec 18, 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 scalability, high availability, and ease of integration with Microsoft applications. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness, user-friendly interface, and seamless setup. It excels in security, backup features, and global accessibility. The platform's flexibility, managed services, and reduced infrastructure costs enhance efficiency. Organizations value the integration with Azure Data Factory and seamless migration from on-premises systems. Its intuitive interface and robust functionalities make it a trusted choice for data management and application development.

"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."
"I'd give Microsoft Azure SQL Database a nine out of ten."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Azure SQL Database needs better security features to boost user confidence in using public cloud. Scalability, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced performance tools are required. Documentation could be improved for ease of use. Compatibility with existing applications should be enhanced, and a seamless integration with various platforms is necessary. The pricing structure needs clarity and flexibility. User interface can be more intuitive, and dynamic scaling support should be optimized. Advanced query support and better network policies are needed.

"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."
"There is a need for dynamic scaling support without losing current transactions. That should be part of the standard offering to SKUs."

ROI

Users experience reduced Total Cost of Ownership with Microsoft Azure SQL Database, achieving significant infrastructure savings and a 30-50% return on investment. Transitioning from on-premises setups decreases data center size by 80%. Azure's pay-per-use model centralizes management, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost control. Savings are noted in licensing and storage, with Elastic Pool lowering costs by 30-40% for multiple databases. Cloud-based services further reduce expenses, while time savings, backup, and security features enhance value.

Pricing

Enterprise users find Microsoft Azure SQL Database pricing competitive, though some highlight challenges in cost predictions and scaling expenses. The pay-as-you-go model allows flexibility, but caution is advised to manage resource usage effectively. Region-based pricing is fixed, affecting global organizations. Licensing involves a subscription, with options for basic, standard, and premium plans based on usage. Azure Hybrid Benefit offers cost reductions for on-premises migrations. Initial setup costs are primarily attributed to necessary training and development time.

"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."
"The solution is more cost-effective than Google BigQuery. Compared to Google BigQuery, downloading data can be more expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations utilize Microsoft Azure SQL Database primarily for hosting databases, data storage and querying, analytics and reporting, and supporting business applications. It serves various sectors such as healthcare, finance, and education, facilitating ERP solutions and content management. Many companies migrate legacy systems to the cloud, employ it for backend processes, leverage its scalability for fluctuating demands, and use it for relational database management. It supports both internal and client-facing applications.

Service and Support

Microsoft Azure SQL Database's customer service is highly regarded, offering prompt and professional assistance. Technical support varies based on subscription tiers, with premium options yielding faster responses. Users appreciate the extensive online resources, training, and documentation provided. While many users report positive experiences, some face challenges with response times and integration with non-Microsoft applications. The availability of knowledgeable support personnel and comprehensive online communities is beneficial for troubleshooting issues efficiently.

Deployment

Users find Microsoft Azure SQL Database's initial setup to be generally straightforward and easy, especially with its cloud-based deployment. Some reports mention slight complexity or time consumption due to factors like security configurations and network integration. Familiarity with the Azure platform aids in a smoother setup experience, while those new to the ecosystem may require additional learning and configuration. Organizations appreciate the quick deployment but acknowledge some challenges in specific scenarios like data migration and replication.

Scalability

Microsoft Azure SQL Database is praised for its flexibility and ease of scaling. Users find it highly adaptable, allowing for seamless performance during heavy loads. Many highlight its capability to adjust resources quickly, making it ideal for growing demands. While not every user has tested extensive workload scalability, many speak positively of Azure SQL's ability to accommodate various scales without significant issues. Some users note potential manual adjustments but find the scalability options beneficial.

Stability

Users report consistent stability with Microsoft Azure SQL Database, with no major interruptions. It efficiently handles large datasets when properly optimized. Some have experienced minor latency issues, especially over long distances, but typically see improvement with local provisioning. The platform's strong performance, stability-enhancing features, and secure environment contribute to its high ratings. Users appreciate its reliable execution without crashes or glitches. Many rate its stability an eight to ten out of ten.

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.