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Servers
Buying guide
Which Microsoft server licence do I need?
Buy server software online at Licendi for your organisation's infrastructure, databases and business email. Our range includes Windows Server, SQL Server and Exchange Server, with current and earlier editions for existing environments. We sell genuine Microsoft keys and help you choose by email and chat.
Your key and official download link arrive by email, instantly during office hours and within a maximum of 24 hours outside them. We also send a PDF invoice with VAT shown. Every purchase has a one-month activation guarantee for the first installation.
- Key and download by email
- Invoice with VAT shown
- One-time payment, no subscription
- Support by email and chat
Start with the job the server must perform. Windows Server runs the server operating system and local or cloud-connected workloads. SQL Server manages databases. Exchange Server provides business email, mailboxes, shared calendars and meeting invitations. A CAL is an access licence, not the server software itself.
| Edition | For whom | What it adds | Price from | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Organisations choosing an Essentials server edition | Windows server operating system for local and connected workloads | from484,99 € | Buy |
 | Businesses running general server workloads | Windows Server Standard edition | from306,60 € | Buy |
 | Organisations selecting the Datacenter edition | Windows Server Datacenter edition | from316,66 € | Buy |
 | Businesses running SQL databases | Current SQL Server Standard edition | from498,00 € | Buy |
 | Organisations selecting the Enterprise database edition | SQL Server Enterprise edition | from1.800,00 € | Buy |
 | Businesses hosting email and calendars | Mailboxes, email, shared calendars and meeting invitations | from2.033,33 € | Buy |
 | Users or devices that need licensed server access | Access licence for Windows Server 2025 | from148,75 € | Buy |
Prices shown are starting prices. Check the product variant and quantity before ordering. Server software and CALs serve different purposes, so include both where your chosen licensing model requires them.
Windows Server: the operating system
Choose Windows Server when you need the operating system on which server applications and services run. It supports local requirements and cloud-connected working, while applications installed on the server can be made available to authorised local devices. The existing Licendi range includes Essentials, Standard and Datacenter editions across several release years.
Windows Server Standard and Datacenter
Standard is the starting point for many general business workloads. A Windows Server Standard licence covering all cores allows two operating system environments (VMs). Datacenter is the separate edition to consider for a more heavily virtualised environment. Tell us the processors, physical cores and planned virtual machines so we can help you identify the appropriate product.
SQL Server: business databases
Choose SQL Server for applications that store, query and report on structured business data. Licendi sells Standard and Enterprise editions, older releases for compatible existing systems, and separate CAL products. Match the release to your application and confirm whether you need a server-and-CAL product or a core-based product before buying.
Exchange Server: email and shared calendars
Exchange Server is Microsoft's on-premises business email platform. It stores mailboxes and gives authorised users access to email. Shared calendars help teams schedule meetings, record events and send invitations. Licendi lists Standard and Enterprise server editions as well as separate user CALs for the 2016 and 2019 releases. Microsoft support has ended for both releases.
CALs: access rights rather than server software
A Windows Server, SQL Server or Exchange Server CAL does not install the server platform. It grants a user or device access under the relevant licensing model. Buy the server product when you need the software itself; add the matching CALs if that product and deployment require them. Keep the product family and release aligned.
Compare Windows Server, SQL Server and Exchange Server
This comparison identifies the purpose of each product family and whether Licendi lists separate CAL products for it. Yes and No refer to the product's role, not to every feature or licensing right within an edition.
| Product family | Server operating system | SQL database platform | Email and shared calendars | Separate CALs listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| SQL Server | — | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Exchange Server | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
These products can form different layers of one business system. Windows Server supplies the operating environment, while SQL Server supports database workloads and Exchange Server handles email and calendars. Select only the layers and access licences your deployment needs.
Why are these server licences cheaper?
Some offers are permanent licences that are being resold. EU law allows the resale of permanent software licences when the legal conditions described below are met. This gives buyers another route to the Microsoft server edition their systems require.
At Licendi, you receive a genuine Microsoft key, an official download link and a PDF invoice with VAT shown. We provide support by email and chat, plus a one-month activation guarantee for the first installation.
Is it legal to buy a resold server licence?
Legal basis
Yes, when the conditions set by the Court of Justice of the European Union are satisfied. In UsedSoft v Oracle, case C-128/11, 3 July 2012, the Court established that permanent software licences may be resold in the EU under conditions:
- The first sale in the EU was made by the rightsholder or with the rightsholder's consent.
- The right to use the copy is indefinite and was granted for a price.
- The seller makes its own copy unusable when the licence is resold.
- A multi-user licence is not divided and resold in parts.
This rule concerns permanent licences. Licendi provides a PDF invoice with VAT shown and a one-month activation guarantee: if the key does not activate on the first installation, write to us and we will fix it.
Server requirements to check before buying
- The exact product family: Windows Server, SQL Server or Exchange Server.
- The release and edition required by your applications and existing infrastructure.
- The server's processor count, physical core count, memory and available storage.
- The number of users, devices and virtual machines in the planned deployment.
- The CAL type and release required for every user or device that will connect.
- A reliable internet connection for the official download and activation.
Tip: Send us your current release, edition, server core count, user or device count and planned virtual machines before ordering. We will help confirm quantities.
How to buy, download and activate server software
- Choose the product. Select the product family, release and edition. Add the correct server licence, core product or CALs for your deployment.
- Receive the order. We email the genuine Microsoft key, official download link and PDF invoice with VAT shown. Delivery is instant during office hours and takes no more than 24 hours outside them.
- Install and activate. Download the software from the official link, follow the installation process and enter the key. Contact us by email or chat if you need help.
Activation support, upgrades and older server editions
Your purchase includes a one-month activation guarantee for the first installation. If the key does not activate, write to us and we will fix it. Our support is available by email and chat for purchase and activation questions.
Licendi lists current and earlier server releases because business environments do not all upgrade at once. Choose an older release only when your applications or infrastructure require it. An upgrade can affect hardware capacity, application compatibility, CAL requirements and database or mailbox migration, so plan those items before changing release.
Microsoft server licences for businesses
Businesses can buy server software and access licences with a PDF invoice that shows VAT. For several servers or users, prepare the product family, edition, physical core count, number of virtual machines and user or device count. Send those details to Licendi so we can help you compare the relevant products and quantities before you place the order.
Frequently asked questions about server licences
Which Microsoft server product should I buy?
Choose Windows Server for the operating system, SQL Server for databases or Exchange Server for business email and calendars. Some deployments use more than one product family.
Is a CAL the same as a server licence?
No. A CAL gives a user or device access under the relevant model; it does not install Windows Server, SQL Server or Exchange Server.
Can I buy Windows Server online from Licendi?
Yes. Choose a listed Windows Server edition and we will email the key, official download link and invoice within the stated delivery time.
Are resold Microsoft server licences legal?
Yes, when the resale satisfies all the UsedSoft conditions. The licence must be permanent, the original copy must be made unusable and a multi-user licence must not be split.
Do I receive a VAT invoice?
Yes. Licendi emails a PDF invoice with VAT shown for your purchase.
How quickly will my server key arrive?
Instantly during office hours and within 24 hours outside them. Delivery is by email with the official download link.
What happens if my key does not activate?
Write to us within one month of purchase and we will fix it. The activation guarantee covers a key that does not activate on the first installation.
Can I buy an older Windows Server or SQL Server release?
Yes. Licendi lists several earlier releases for systems that require them; confirm application and hardware compatibility before ordering.
Do I need Standard, Enterprise or Datacenter?
It depends on the edition: Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter serve different workloads and licensing needs. Send us the release, cores, users and planned virtual machines so we can help narrow the choice.
Does Licendi provide installation support?
Yes. Contact us by email or chat for help with purchase and activation questions after following the installation instructions.