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Microsoft Azure SQL Database pros and cons

Vendor: Microsoft
4.3 out of 5
Badge Ranked 1

Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Microsoft Azure SQL Database offers high availability and business continuity with robust stability and excellent performance.
It provides significant cost savings through a pay-as-you-go model, scalability, and elimination of on-premises infrastructure costs.
The ease of scaling up or down during peak seasons and automatic tuning features greatly enhance performance and manage workloads efficiently.
The integration with other Microsoft services and ease of use for developers familiar with SQL Server ensures a seamless transition to the cloud.
Azure SQL Database's security features effectively meet compliance standards, providing confidence for regulated environments.

CONS

Microsoft Azure SQL Database is expensive, and there is a need to improve its pricing model.
Users report a lack of effective support and the need for faster response times.
Documentation is considered insufficient, with calls for enhanced technical documentation and more training resources.
Users face issues with scalability, particularly in extending past two terabytes and adding features like dynamic scaling.
There is limited compatibility with existing applications and third-party technologies, impacting integration efforts.
 

Microsoft Azure SQL Database Pros review quotes

SZ
Data Platform Architect at APN Promise
Jul 16, 2019
What is really helpful about the Azure SQL is that when we have a problem with our sound queries, we can trade information about what indexes we should create on tables. It's really helpful for me and also for developers.
Business677 - PeerSpot reviewer
Business Analyst at Paunaste OÜ
Jul 29, 2019
The initial setup was straightforward. Deployment takes about one hour.
AA
DevOps Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Jul 30, 2019
The initial setup is very easy. It's extremely straightforward.
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure SQL Database. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
880,255 professionals have used our research since 2012.
MA
Director of IT at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Jul 31, 2019
This solution offers high availability, and business continuity is in place.
HM
Enterprise End User Operations at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Jul 31, 2019
The stability is good and the performance is fantastic. Even when we try to do an inquiry into issues we can do it easily.
it_user844323 - PeerSpot reviewer
Professional Service Manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Aug 1, 2019
In terms of stability, because Microsoft is the underlying technology, they are much more stable than say Oracle. Since 2014 they did a great job in offering stability, performance and high visibility on the solution, especially in comparison to the other competitors.
IM
IT Manager at a pharma/biotech company with 201-500 employees
Aug 4, 2019
The initial setup was straightforward. It took less than one day for deployment.
MichaelSoliman - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner at Alopex ONE UG
Aug 6, 2019
This solution provides more comfort to the end-user compared to a normal SQL server.
CA
Master of Information Technology at a individual & family service with 201-500 employees
Aug 13, 2019
The stability is good.
Marco Cenzato - PeerSpot reviewer
Product Architect at Wolters Kluwer
Aug 15, 2019
They have good documentation. It's concentrated information.
 

Microsoft Azure SQL Database Cons review quotes

SZ
Data Platform Architect at APN Promise
Jul 16, 2019
I need something which is in one place so I can automate the Azure data factory, but it's a different tool. It's not easy and in one place, so I can't switch to the other tool and do something there, automate everything there in the on-prem infrastructure, and then have everything in the agent. I can just pick one packet and use it. However, I want to be able to click it and run it.
Business677 - PeerSpot reviewer
Business Analyst at Paunaste OÜ
Jul 29, 2019
The solution needs to improve its customer network, including its online support.
AA
DevOps Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Jul 30, 2019
I need Microsoft to allow their network to access open source technologies.
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure SQL Database. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
880,255 professionals have used our research since 2012.
MA
Director of IT at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Jul 31, 2019
This solution would be improved with the inclusion of better self-service tools.
HM
Enterprise End User Operations at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Jul 31, 2019
The initial setup is complex.
it_user844323 - PeerSpot reviewer
Professional Service Manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Aug 1, 2019
It's not a feature, but the solution only offers a certain amount of memory and that's limiting. The scalability should be extended to more than two terabytes.
IM
IT Manager at a pharma/biotech company with 201-500 employees
Aug 4, 2019
The solution could be less expensive. They need to work on their pricing model.
MichaelSoliman - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner at Alopex ONE UG
Aug 6, 2019
The management is entirely controlled by Microsoft, so there are some restrictions.
CA
Master of Information Technology at a individual & family service with 201-500 employees
Aug 13, 2019
The initial setup was very complex.
Marco Cenzato - PeerSpot reviewer
Product Architect at Wolters Kluwer
Aug 15, 2019
Their support is nice but their responses aren't effective.