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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

it_user261489 - PeerSpot reviewer
Program and Project Manager at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Jun 29, 2015
With these customers, we have managed to reduce a lot of infrastructure budgets and to provide an eco-friendly setup.
it_user131562 - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner at AFF Group
Aug 23, 2015
It made our back-end service scalable.
it_user402807 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Mar 1, 2017
In the case of a heavy load period, you don’t see any difference in terms of performance.
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure SQL Database. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
885,286 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user158343 - PeerSpot reviewer
Software Architect at a tech consulting company with 51-200 employees
Aug 2, 2017
Performance of memory-optimized tables in SQL Azure exceeds that of an on premise SQL Server.
PW
Manager of Architecture/Design with 51-200 employees
Mar 12, 2017
That's why Microsoft has delivered their dream cloud promise with the zero cost alternative of community edition.
it_user660030 - PeerSpot reviewer
Data Management Architect at a healthcare company with 201-500 employees
May 7, 2017
In my current role, I consider SQL Azure the leader for cloud-based RDBMS solutions, far ahead of any other cloud-based RBMS offering.
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.
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.
 

Microsoft Azure SQL Database Cons review quotes

it_user261489 - PeerSpot reviewer
Program and Project Manager at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Jun 29, 2015
It needs to improve the security features, because people still aren't confident enough to use a public cloud.
it_user131562 - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner at AFF Group
Aug 23, 2015
Scalability Cost efficiency Business continuity
it_user402807 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Mar 1, 2017
If you don't have Premium support, you need to wait for 24 hours to receive support.
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure SQL Database. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
885,286 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user158343 - PeerSpot reviewer
Software Architect at a tech consulting company with 51-200 employees
Aug 2, 2017
SQL Azure only supports distributed transactions with other instances of SQL Azure.
PW
Manager of Architecture/Design with 51-200 employees
Mar 12, 2017
Since Azure is a pay-by-use product, what is the provision for the future? If, for some reason, we lost this provision, what fallback parachute is Microsoft planning for customers?
it_user660030 - PeerSpot reviewer
Data Management Architect at a healthcare company with 201-500 employees
May 7, 2017
Historically, SQL Azure has tended to choke at databases larger than 50GB, and in some cases, as small as 20GB.
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.
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.