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Compare Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL 
At a Glance
Market Segments
Enterprise (45.9% of reviews)
Small-Business (36.3% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
$5,000
Microsoft 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 ServerMySQL
Star Rating
(1,636)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (36.3% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
$5,000
Browse all 3 pricing plansSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- Users report that Microsoft SQL Server excels in its Query Language with a score of 9.2, which reviewers mention makes complex queries easier to manage compared to MySQL's score of 9.2, indicating both products are strong but SQL Server is often preferred for intricate data operations.
- Reviewers mention that Microsoft SQL Server's Backup and Recovery features are highly rated at 9.0, providing robust options for data protection, while MySQL, with a score of 8.3, is seen as less comprehensive in this area, leading to concerns about data safety.
- G2 users highlight that Microsoft SQL Server's Data Encryption capabilities score 8.8, which is superior to MySQL's 8.6, suggesting that SQL Server offers more advanced security features that are crucial for enterprise-level applications.
- Users on G2 report that Microsoft SQL Server's Performance and Reliability is rated at 9.2, making it a preferred choice for businesses that require high availability, while MySQL's score of 8.1 indicates it may not perform as reliably under heavy workloads.
- Reviewers mention that Microsoft SQL Server's User, Role, and Access Management features score 9.0, providing a more granular control over user permissions compared to MySQL's 9.0, which, while competitive, may not offer the same level of detail in user management.
- Users say that Microsoft SQL Server's Data Migration capabilities are rated at 9.0, making it easier to transition from other systems, while MySQL's migration tools are perceived as less user-friendly, leading to potential challenges during setup.
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Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Microsoft SQL Server
No pricing availableFree Trial
Microsoft SQL Server
No trial information availableMySQL
No trial information availableRatings
Meets Requirements
9.0
1,817
8.9
1,370
Ease of Use
8.6
1,831
8.7
1,373
Ease of Setup
8.1
952
8.5
637
Ease of Admin
8.3
929
8.4
625
Quality of Support
8.3
1,611
8.0
1,158
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.4
879
8.5
513
Product Direction (% positive)
8.3
1,787
8.0
1,337
Features by Category
Management
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
Not enough data
Maintenance
8.9
133
Not enough data
9.0
138
Not enough data
9.0
134
Not enough data
Security
8.9
132
Not enough data
9.1
134
Not enough data
Management
9.1
119
9.0
127
9.2
120
9.1
128
8.7
106
8.9
114
8.8
112
8.8
111
Support
8.7
114
8.4
121
9.1
118
8.8
125
8.7
113
8.9
120
8.6
117
9.2
118
Security
8.9
117
8.9
118
9.1
117
8.9
119
8.8
114
8.6
113
9.0
117
8.6
118
Performance
8.7
114
8.3
109
8.8
112
8.6
113
8.7
117
8.5
114
8.6
115
8.6
114
8.8
116
8.7
113
Database Features
8.9
1252
8.8
1126
9.0
1257
8.9
1136
8.9
1265
8.7
1138
8.7
1231
8.1
1104
8.8
1233
8.4
1099
8.8
1240
8.7
1110
9.1
1260
8.9
1130
Database
8.7
49
Not enough data
8.9
50
Not enough data
8.4
47
Not enough data
Integrations
7.9
38
Not enough data
8.3
38
Not enough data
Platform
8.3
43
Not enough data
8.6
46
Not enough data
8.3
38
Not enough data
Processing
8.5
45
Not enough data
8.4
48
Not enough data
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
Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL are categorized as Relational Databases
Unique Categories
Microsoft SQL Server is categorized as Database Management Systems (DBMS), Big Data Processing and Distribution, and On-Premise Data Integration
MySQL has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Microsoft SQL Server
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
MySQL
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
24.1%
Computer Software
13.8%
Hospital & Health Care
5.5%
Financial Services
4.1%
Higher Education
2.9%
Other
49.6%
Information Technology and Services
24.8%
Computer Software
20.5%
Internet
4.6%
Higher Education
4.2%
Education Management
3.3%
Other
42.6%
Most Helpful Reviews
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...
MySQL
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Ross F.
Verified User in Computer Software
MySql simply works and works well. It is exactly as described: a robust, relational DB which scales nicely to 100s of millions of rows. Plus, many web developers are familiar with using it so there is no shortage of expertise available. If you are doing...
Most Helpful Critical Review
Ravindra Y.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
Open source have issues in resolving things slow
Elizabeth G.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
For my use cases, microsoft sql has been pretty cooperative.
Ross F.
Verified User in Computer Software
MySql simply works and works well. It is exactly as described: a robust, relational DB which scales nicely to 100s of millions of rows. Plus, many web developers are familiar with using it so there is no shortage of expertise available. If you are doing...
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...
Ravindra Y.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
Open source have issues in resolving things slow
Alternatives
Discussions
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
Does MySQL new version has strong security?
10 comments
JH
here is list of some overlooked security holes in MySql:
update the password plugin;
password for the root account
root accounts that are...Read more
Is there any possibilities than mysql database can be online?
2 comments
CH
Of course! Most hosts provide it automatically. Only the dedicated servers or virtual servers might not. You can install it on any Linux or Windows or Mac...Read more
What version of MySQL do I have?
2 comments
HD
You can use MySQL Workbench to check the version number. After connected to a server using MySQL Workbench, click on server from main menu. Then "Server...Read more
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