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Compare MariaDB and Microsoft SQL Server 
At a Glance
Market Segments
Small-Business (40.9% of reviews)
Enterprise (45.9% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
No pricing available
MariaDB
Star Rating
(223)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (40.9% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about MariaDBMicrosoft SQL Server
Star Rating
(2,217)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Enterprise (45.9% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Microsoft SQL ServerSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- Users report that Microsoft SQL Server excels in its Data Migration capabilities, scoring a 9.0, which reviewers mention makes transitioning from other databases seamless. In contrast, MariaDB, while still competent, has a slightly lower score of 8.4 in this area.
- Reviewers mention that Microsoft SQL Server's Quality of Support is rated at 8.3, which is higher than MariaDB's 7.9. Users on G2 appreciate the responsiveness and helpfulness of SQL Server's support team, especially for enterprise-level issues.
- G2 users highlight that Microsoft SQL Server's Backup and Recovery features are robust, with a score of 9.0, providing peace of mind for data integrity. MariaDB, while offering similar features, scores slightly lower at 8.4, leading some users to feel less secure about their data recovery options.
- Users say that Microsoft SQL Server's Query Language is highly praised, scoring 9.2, which reviewers mention allows for complex queries with ease. MariaDB follows closely with a score of 9.3, but some users feel that SQL Server's documentation and community support make it easier to learn and use effectively.
- Reviewers mention that Microsoft SQL Server's Performance Analysis tools, rated at 8.9, provide in-depth insights that help optimize database performance. In comparison, MariaDB's performance analysis features, while good, are rated slightly lower at 8.4, leading some users to prefer SQL Server for performance tuning.
- Users on G2 report that Microsoft SQL Server's Data Encryption capabilities are rated at 8.8, which is slightly lower than MariaDB's 9.0. Reviewers mention that MariaDB's encryption features are more straightforward and user-friendly, making it a preferred choice for those prioritizing security.
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Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
MariaDB
No pricing availableMicrosoft SQL Server
No pricing availableFree Trial
MariaDB
Free Trial is available
Microsoft SQL Server
No trial information availableRatings
Meets Requirements
9.0
180
9.0
1,817
Ease of Use
8.9
182
8.6
1,831
Ease of Setup
8.8
112
8.1
952
Ease of Admin
8.4
108
8.3
929
Quality of Support
7.9
140
8.3
1,611
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.1
86
8.4
879
Product Direction (% positive)
8.9
173
8.3
1,787
Features by Category
Management
Not enough data
8.9
133
Not enough data
8.9
132
Not enough data
9.3
138
Not enough data
8.9
133
Not enough data
8.9
135
Maintenance
Not enough data
8.9
133
Not enough data
9.0
138
Not enough data
9.0
134
Security
Not enough data
8.9
132
Not enough data
9.1
134
Management
9.3
27
9.1
119
9.3
27
9.2
120
8.6
24
8.7
106
8.5
21
8.8
112
Support
8.6
25
8.7
114
9.0
27
9.1
118
8.6
22
8.7
113
9.0
21
8.6
117
Security
8.8
26
8.9
117
9.0
26
9.1
117
8.9
21
8.8
114
8.7
22
9.0
117
Performance
8.3
20
8.7
114
8.7
21
8.8
112
8.6
21
8.7
117
8.6
19
8.6
115
8.5
25
8.8
116
Database Features
9.0
151
8.9
1252
9.1
154
9.0
1257
9.2
154
8.9
1265
8.6
145
8.7
1231
8.6
149
8.8
1233
8.7
149
8.8
1240
9.0
153
9.1
1260
Storage
8.8
8
Not enough data
8.9
9
Not enough data
Availability
9.0
5
Not enough data
8.8
7
Not enough data
8.6
6
Not enough data
Performance
9.0
8
Not enough data
Security
9.4
8
Not enough data
9.5
7
Not enough data
8.6
7
Not enough data
9.2
6
Not enough data
Support
9.7
5
Not enough data
8.8
7
Not enough data
Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Database
Not enough data
8.7
49
Not enough data
8.9
50
Not enough data
8.4
47
Integrations
Not enough data
7.9
38
Not enough data
8.3
38
Platform
Not enough data
8.3
43
Not enough data
8.6
46
Not enough data
8.3
38
Processing
Not enough data
8.5
45
Not enough data
8.4
48
Building Reports
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Platform
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
MariaDB and Microsoft SQL Server are categorized as Relational Databases
Unique Categories
MariaDB is categorized as Columnar Databases and AWS Marketplace
Microsoft SQL Server is categorized as Database Management Systems (DBMS), Big Data Processing and Distribution, and On-Premise Data Integration
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
MariaDB
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Microsoft SQL Server
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Information Technology and Services
25.6%
Computer Software
20.0%
Telecommunications
5.1%
Internet
5.1%
Education Management
3.7%
Other
40.5%
Information Technology and Services
24.1%
Computer Software
13.8%
Hospital & Health Care
5.5%
Financial Services
4.1%
Higher Education
2.9%
Other
49.6%
Most Helpful Reviews
MariaDB
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Stan P.
Verified User in Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
drop in replacement for mysql (storage engines renamed but there); new aria storage engine. back to being open source after mysql/oracle purchase- original engineers and new contributors should succeed to match/pass mysql installations. gradually replacing...
Most Helpful Critical Review
Ramon G.
Verified User in Banking
The Cassandra connector at the time of my use turned into a constraining piece. The recognition of its development is not very clear to me. The recognition of the improvement is not very clear to me com ok ok oo mariadb o mariadb-vs-mysql-compatibility o.
Microsoft SQL Server
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Elizabeth G.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
For my use cases, microsoft sql has been pretty cooperative.
Most Helpful Critical Review
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
The pricing is a mess, different licenses and situations (clients/dev/Gold Partner) is just all confusing. The Enterprise edition is a joke of a price. Any simple task never seems to work correctly, shrinking databases, scripts hardly ever work, even with...
Stan P.
Verified User in Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
drop in replacement for mysql (storage engines renamed but there); new aria storage engine. back to being open source after mysql/oracle purchase- original engineers and new contributors should succeed to match/pass mysql installations. gradually replacing...
Elizabeth G.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
For my use cases, microsoft sql has been pretty cooperative.
Ramon G.
Verified User in Banking
The Cassandra connector at the time of my use turned into a constraining piece. The recognition of its development is not very clear to me. The recognition of the improvement is not very clear to me com ok ok oo mariadb o mariadb-vs-mysql-compatibility o.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
The pricing is a mess, different licenses and situations (clients/dev/Gold Partner) is just all confusing. The Enterprise edition is a joke of a price. Any simple task never seems to work correctly, shrinking databases, scripts hardly ever work, even with...
Alternatives
Discussions
Improvements in the mechanism of replication
1 comment
YL
MarieDB Galera cluster is the way to go https://mariadb.com/kb/en/what-is-mariadb-galera-cluster/Read more
What is MariaDB used for?
1 comment
AA
It is a relational database that stores data in form of row and column coming as input from a source like application softwaresRead more
What is MariaDB server?
1 comment
NC
MariaDB server is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that is compatible with MySQL. I'm pretty sure it was a fork of MySQLs...Read more
What is the best way to save your queries?
4 comments
CA
I recommend that you use the saved querys in plain text or .sql or txt format you can use the same sql server query creator or a notepad +++ tool, they are...Read more
How could I make much easier the experience with the order of my database?
4 comments
AF
You can create different tables with your employee information eg employee table, employee roles etc. Then you can create a single view that will pull data...Read more
How can I work on the same query if the connection is lost (timeout) and then I reconnect?
4 comments
JE
When this happens to me in SQL Server Management Studio, I just have to type USE {your database name here} and then select only that statement and execute...Read more
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