SQL Server Cost: How Much Does SQL Server Cost?

Explore the functionalities, utilities, pricing, and career opportunities associated with SQL Server, Microsoft's relational database management system (RDBMS). Learn why SQL Server remains a top choice for business sectors in managing and storing information in relational databases, as well as the potential salary prospects for professionals skilled in SQL Server.

Key Insights

SQL Server is an RDBMS developed by Microsoft, designed to store and retrieve data requested by other software applications. It's often used in the business sector to manage and store a variety of business information.
Working with SQL Server provides a plethora of features for advanced performance such as encryption features, transparent data compression, efficient management tools for permission and access controls.
SQL Server comes with different pricing options depending on the version and type of licensing model. For example, SQL Enterprise is worth $13,748 while SQL Standard (per core) costs $3,586, and SQL Server 2019 Developer and Express versions are free to download.
SQL Server was listed as one of the top three most popular databases in 2020 by Stack Overflow. This makes the skills highly demanded and beneficial for career progression.
For individuals wanting to learn SQL Server, there are various online resources available such as Noble Desktop’s free Intro to SQL course, as well as other offerings from Udemy and edX.
Noble Desktop also offers a hands-on SQL Server Bootcamp, which includes expert, in-person instruction and a free course retake up to one year after completion.

SQL Server is available for different prices, depending on your professional needs. SQL Server 2019 Developer and SQL Server 2019 Express can both be downloaded for free; SQL Standard (CAL) costs $209; SQL Standard (server) is offered for $899; SQL Standard (per core) is $3,586; SQL Enterprise is available for $13,748.

What is SQL Server?

SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) created by Microsoft. The data contained within an RDBMS is stored in tables similar to the columns and rows in a spreadsheet. Like other RDBMS software, SQL server is built on top of structured query language (SQL), the programming language most commonly used to communicate with relational databases. This database server’s primary function is to store and retrieve data that other software applications request. This data may run on the same computer or be stored on a computer across a network.

SQL Server was created to compete with Oracle databases and MySQL. It supports the standard SQL language ANSI SQL. In addition, SQL Server also comes with T-SQL, or Transact-SQL, its unique implementation of SQL. This Microsoft proprietary language offers additional capabilities, such as exception handling, declaring variables, and stored procedures. The main interface tool for SQL Server is SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), which can support either a 32-bit or 64-bit environment. When Software Developers write business apps that store information in databases, they frequently work with SQL Server to look after the databases instead of writing code to perform this task. This helps speed up the process of writing database applications, making them cheaper to build and ensuring that they are more secure, reliable, and scalable.

What Can You Do with SQL Server?

SQL Server has many uses for those tasked with managing and storing information in relational databases. It supports core operations in analytics, transaction process, and business intelligence. Any information on the server is stored in the relational database. However, the system comprises more than a database; it also includes a management system.

Microsoft SQL Server is especially useful in the business sector. The database stores and manages a variety of business information. This system also facilitates data sharing by computers in the same network, which can increase reliability. Not only that, but SQL Server can also improve the speed at which data is processed, which makes it easier to execute large operations. In addition to creating and maintaining databases, SQL Server also analyzes data through SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS). It creates reports using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). It executes ETL operations using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).

Another benefit to working with SQL Server is that it provides a range of features for advanced performance. This system has encryption features, as well as transparent data compression. In addition, users don’t need to modify programs to secure and encrypt their data. SQL Server also includes efficient management tools for permission and access controls that can secure sensitive business data.

In-Depth Review of the Cost

If you’re interested in using SQL Server, this service is available for different prices depending on the version you wish to download, as well as the type of licensing model:

SQL Enterprise costs $13,748; this price includes a two-core pack licensing model.

SQL Standard (per core) costs $3,586 and includes a two-core pack.

SQL Standard (server) is available for $899 for a single server licensing model.

SQL Standard (CAL) is offered for $209 for a CAL licensing model.

SQL Web pricing is not listed; those who want to download this version can consult their hosting partner for price options.

SQL Server 2019 Developer is free to download.

SQL Server 2019 Express is also available for free.

Although SQL Server is a more expensive database management tool than many others currently available, it provides many features and functions that make it worth the money. It integrates well with Microsoft software like Visual Studio code, which can create a smooth development experience. In addition, Data Analysts appreciate the filtration and extraction features and the capability to generate interactive reports. For those deciding between products, SQL Server is a more affordable option than Oracle database services, which are designed to handle large-scale, complex enterprise data.

Why Learn SQL Server?

In 2020, Stack Overflow listed SQL Server as one of the top three most popular databases. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, so there will be a demand for those trained to use SQL Server. In addition, working with Microsoft software is a good choice for entrepreneurs because of benefits such as clear licenses, excellent customer service and support, and how easy it is to implement. SQL Server remains a popular option because it’s been on the market for 35 years. Because of its longevity, it’s possible to find experts familiar with this RDBMS. This is not always possible with newer products and solutions like NoSQL.

There are many benefits to working with SQL Server. This product has a one-click installation procedure, which includes instructions that are easy to understand. This product offers excellent encryption and compression capabilities, which can help improve retrieval functions and data storage. In addition, Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most secure database servers; its encryption algorithms make it extremely difficult to crack the user’s security layers. Because SQL Server isn’t an open-source database server, this also mitigates the possibility of database server attacks. Another reason many individuals appreciate working with SQL Server is that multiple editions are available with different price points for enterprise, standard, workgroup, express, and developer usage.

Read more about why you should learn SQL Server.

Free Introductory SQL Server Course Online

If you want to learn SQL Server but aren’t ready to dive into an entire course, the good news is that you can get started learning SQL Server for free online. In this free Intro to SQL course offered by Noble Desktop, you’ll receive an overview of SQL Server and examples of what you can do with this versatile querying language. This hour-long tutorial offers general SQL information which applies to all the major SQL flavors.

In addition to Noble’s free SQL resources, other top educational providers also have free content about SQL Server. Udemy’s SQL Server in One Hour teaches participants essential database concepts. Participants also learn how to install SQL Server and create a sample database. Udemy also offers a range of free SQL-related videos, such as Introduction to Databases and SQL Querying, Advanced Databases & SQL Querying, and SQL For Data Analytics. For those who want to learn how to work with T-SQL, Microsoft SQL Server’s dialect, edX’s Querying Data with Transact-SQL is another free learning opportunity. Participants receive instruction on how to make tables and add data to them, as well as how to perform SQL queries.

Learn SQL Server with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Those who want to learn how to use SQL Server choose from a variety of excellent in-person and live online study options available through Noble Desktop. If you’re new to SQL Server and want to learn the basics, Noble’s in-person and live online SQL Server Bootcamp is for you. Participants in this program receive expert instruction about using MS SQL Server to locate information in databases using SQL queries. Students also receive instructions on joining tables, aggregating data, and filtering results. This class covers SQL Server and the free SQL Server Management Studio app. All participants have the option of a free course retake for up to a year after completing this bootcamp to revisit the material.

Noble’s in-person or live online SQL Bootcamp is also available. This program prepares participants to use PostgreSQL. This hands-on class also teaches students to work with the free DBeaver app for exploring the database and executing queries. These concepts can be applied to other SQL flavors, such as MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server, with minor syntax changes.

If you want to browse Noble’s course offerings that provide SQL training, you can search for in-person and live online SQL courses. In addition to SQL Bootcamp and SQL Server Bootcamp, Noble also has courses such as the Data Science Certificate and Data Analytics Certificate, in which PostgreSQL training is provided. The content taught in these lessons can be applied to SQL Server.