Which Version of SQL Server Do You Need?

Anyone without IT experience has probably never heard of Microsoft SQL Server, let alone knows what it is used for. Microsoft SQL Server is Microsoft's relational database management system (RDBMS) and has been extensively developed to compete with its main rivals, Oracle Database (DB) and MySQL.

SQL Server supports ANSI SQL, the standard SQL language, as well as T-SQL, Microsoft's own SQL implementation. It runs in both 32-bit and 64-bit environments.

Microsoft SQL Server is built on SQL, a standardised programming language that database administrators (DBAs) and other IT professionals use to manage databases and query the data they contain.

SQL Server is closely tied to Transact-SQL (T-SQL), a Microsoft implementation of SQL that adds proprietary extensions to the standard language. That distinction is part of what sets it apart.

How many versions and editions of Microsoft SQL Server are there?

Microsoft has continually enhanced SQL Server's features to make it an enterprise-class relational DBMS capable of competing with Oracle Database, DB2 and other major platforms.

There are many different versions and several editions of Microsoft SQL Server. Keeping track of them all can be a challenge. Between 1995 and 2016, Microsoft released ten major versions. The earliest were designed for departmental and workgroup use. For a deeper look at the 2019 release, see our overview of Microsoft SQL Server 2019.

In this section we introduce the different SQL Server products, which vary in features, pricing and licensing options. Below are the main editions:

• Enterprise: The high-end edition with a comprehensive range of features, ideal for large organisations with extensive server requirements.
• Standard: Suited to companies of various sizes, containing the core functionality most businesses need.
• Workgroup: Designed for companies with branch offices; includes all the basic features.
• Web: Tailored specifically for web-hosting and web-application scenarios.

• Developer: Includes all Enterprise features but is licenced for development and testing only.
• Express: A free entry-level database limited to one CPU and 1 GB of memory, with a maximum database size of 10 GB.
• Compact: A free embedded database for mobile application development, with a maximum database size of 4 GB.
• Datacenter: Introduced with SQL Server 2008 R2, the Datacenter edition has no memory limit and supports more than 25 instances.

If you are weighing up Standard against Enterprise, our comparison of SQL Server Standard and Enterprise goes into much more detail.

The most frequently used editions and versions

SQL Server 2012 Standard is historically one of the most popular choices for running large corporate databases. It offers everything most organisations need: up to 16 cores and unlimited RAM.

This is a great way to get a very powerful version of SQL Server that covers the needs of most businesses, provides a comprehensive feature set and fits a wide range of budgets.

How do I choose the right version of Microsoft SQL Server?

Which edition of Microsoft SQL Server is right for you depends on your requirements, the state of your hardware and your company's budget. These factors will help you narrow down the choice. The Standard edition is a solid starting point for many businesses. You can explore the SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition licence as one popular option.

Windows Server or SQL Server?

SQL Server runs on Windows Server and requires a Windows operating system to function.

Here is a comparative look at SQL Server versions from 2008 to 2017:
• In-Memory OLTP has been supported since 2014.
• In-Memory ColumnStore is supported from 2012 onwards.
• Operational real-time analytics are available only in 2016 and 2017.
• Buffer-pool extension to SSD is available from 2014.
• Adaptive query processing is a 2017 feature only.
• Basic availability groups are available only in 2016 and 2017.
• Transparent data encryption is present in all versions.
• Backup encryption is supported from 2014.
• Dynamic data masking and row-level security are available in 2016 and 2017.
• Separation of duties is available from 2012.
• Azure Backup is available from 2012 to 2017.
• Disaster recovery on Azure is available from 2014.

Other differences

• Optimised virtual-machine images in the Azure Gallery from 2012.
• Stretch Database in 2016 and 2017.
• Linux and Docker Container support in 2017 only.
• Temporal tables in 2016 and 2017.
• JSON support in 2016 and 2017 only.
• Graph data support in 2017 only.
• PolyBase for T-SQL queries over Hadoop in 2016 and 2017.
• Tabular BI semantic model in all versions.
• Master Data Services in all versions.
• Data Quality Services in all versions except 2008.
• Advanced in-database analytics in 2016 and 2017.
• End-to-end mobile BI on any device in 2016 and 2017.

Do you have any questions?

Our support team is here to help around the clock. Remember, you can always find out more about SQL Server licences in our online shop.

Drop us a comment or give us a call.

Best regards,
The Licendi Team