Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Standard
Description
Secure Your Data With SQL Server
Query and analyze your data using industry-leading performance and security.
How to License SQL Server Standard
Option #1
SERVER + CAL:
Provides the option to license users and/or devices, with low-cost access to incremental SQL Server deployments.
Each server running SQL Server software requires a server license.
Each user and/or device accessing a licensed SQL Server requires a SQL Server CAL that is the same version or newer - for example, to access a SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition server, a user would need a SQL Server 2017, 2019, or 2022 CAL.
Each SQL Server CAL allows access to multiple licensed SQL Servers, including Standard Edition and legacy Business Intelligence and Enterprise Edition Servers.

Option #2
PER CORE:
Gives a more precise measurement of computing power and a more consistent metric, regardless of whether solutions are deployed on physical servers on-premises, or in virtual/cloud environments.
Core based licensing is appropriate when customers are unable to count users/devices, have Internet/Extranet workloads, or have systems that integrate with external facing workloads.
To license a physical server—when running SQL Server in a physical OSE—all physical cores on the server must be licensed.
A minimum of four core licenses are required for each physical processor on the server.

SQL Server Features: Standard vs. Enterprise
SQL Server Features | Standard | Enterprise | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Compute and storage | Maximum number of cores | 24 | OS Max | |
Maximum memory utilized per instance | 128 GB | OS Max | ||
Maximum size | 524 PB | 524 PB | ||
Intelligence over all your data | SQL Server Big Data Clusters with Apache Spark and HDFS built into SQL Server engine | |||
Data virtualization using PolyBase (including additional data sources like Oracle, Teradata, MongoDB, and other SQL Server databases) | ||||
Unified AI platform to train and operationalize models with SQL Server ML Services | ||||
Azure Machine Learning and Spark ML | ||||
Choice of language and platform | Compatibility certfication | |||
UTF-8 Support | ||||
Support for SQL Server Java extension | ||||
Industry-leading performance and availability | Free DR replicas in Azure and on-premises | |||
Intelligent Query processing: Scalar UDF inlining, table variable deferred compilation, approximate count distinct | ||||
Intelligent Query processing features: row mode memory grant feedback, batch mode for row store and automatic tuning | ||||
Automatic read-write connection re-routing | ||||
In-Memory Database: memory-optimized tempdb | ||||
In-Memory Database: Persistent Memory support | ||||
Accelerated Database recovery | ||||
Support for Kubernetes deployment | ||||
Secure and reliable | Always Encrypted with secure enclaves | |||
Transparent database encryption | ||||
Data classification and auditing | ||||
Vulnerability assessment | ||||
Quick business insights | Azure Data Studio to manage SQL Server including support for T-SQL using Notebooks | |||
SQL Server Analysis Services Direct Query | ||||
Microsoft SQL Server has been one of the premier leaders in database technology for years.
Outfit your enterprise with the industry’s latest relational database management system. With the SQL server 2022 standard download, available with Software Assurance from Microsoft, get access to tools including Big Data clusters with Apache Spark and HDFS, Azure Machine Learning and Spark ML, intelligent query processing and more.
MPN
GTIN
Standard edition
CAL-based licensing
Allows for one administrative access point
On-premises download license only
Customer Reviews
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Overkill for my needs
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Brilliant value
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Solid development tool
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Confusing settings
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A+ IDE
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Superb
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Excellent for production
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Running 24/7 no problems
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Trusted solution
Diane H.
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Solid investment
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Licensing sorted
Anna K.
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Running perfectly
Daniel G.
2 out of 5 stars
Needed professional help
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4 out of 5 stars
Everything in one place
Chloe X.
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect solution
Lisa E.
5 out of 5 stars
Should have hired help
Fiona D.
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Remote workforce enabled
Zoe L.
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Excellent value
Chris D.
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Great RDS CALs
Lucy B.
4 out of 5 stars
Brilliant purchase
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Perfect for remote workers
Philip H.
4 out of 5 stars
Smooth RDS deployment
DBA
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Excellent value
Josh R.
5 out of 5 stars
Running perfectly
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5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant value
Stuart L.
4 out of 5 stars
Running perfectly
James T.
5 out of 5 stars
Needed professional help
Developer
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Underestimated the complexity
Martin G.
5 out of 5 stars
Running perfectly
Laura P.
4 out of 5 stars
Solid investment
Systems Engineer
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Hassle-free purchase
Dave W.
4 out of 5 stars
Reliable database platform
Ryan T.
4 out of 5 stars
Team properly protected
Charlotte N.
5 out of 5 stars
Don't like recurring costs
Susan T.
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Not great value for us
Rebecca N.
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect for our infrastructure
Hazel W.
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Way too complex
CTO
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Licensing sorted
Karen A.
5 out of 5 stars
Genuine CALs
Tim P.
5 out of 5 stars
Bought wrong type
Anna K.
5 out of 5 stars
Licensing is confusing
Alan B.
4 out of 5 stars
Needed more guidance
Freelancer
4 out of 5 stars
Exactly what we needed
Pamela M.
5 out of 5 stars
Needed IT support
Josh R.
5 out of 5 stars
RDS setup was challenging
Sam T.
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Beyond my level
Simon M.
4 out of 5 stars
Better suited for large teams
Ben H.
5 out of 5 stars
Way more than I needed
Alex Z.
4 out of 5 stars
Fantastic product
Simon M.
5 out of 5 stars
Top quality
Helen S.
3 out of 5 stars
Couldn't be happier
Simon M.
5 out of 5 stars
Impressive tooling
DBA
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Very impressive hardware
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Visio Professional delivers
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Team loves it
Howard R.
2 out of 5 stars
Workflow diagrams sorted
Developer
5 out of 5 stars
Gantt charts made easy
Hazel W.
5 out of 5 stars
Solid investment
Helen S.
4 out of 5 stars
Way too complex
Angela N.
5 out of 5 stars
IT team approved
Stuart L.
5 out of 5 stars
Should have hired an IT firm
Hazel W.
3 out of 5 stars
Perfect for our infrastructure
Megan S.
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Dependable
Network Admin
5 out of 5 stars
Worth every penny
Dave W.
5 out of 5 stars
Solid database solution
Sophie L.
4 out of 5 stars
Dependable database solution
Fiona D.
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Mark F.
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David R.
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Alison P.
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Network Admin
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Laura P.
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Lisa E.
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Tech Manager
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Stuart L.
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Seamless RDS setup
Peter K.
5 out of 5 stars
Solid investment
Tech Manager
5 out of 5 stars
Setup took ages
Tracey J.
4 out of 5 stars
Team loves it
Natalie O.
5 out of 5 stars
Too complicated for me
Gemma F.
5 out of 5 stars
Saved us significantly
Michael B.
3 out of 5 stars
Remote access sorted
Rachel K.
5 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend
Thomas H.
4 out of 5 stars
Needed professional help
Gareth S.
3 out of 5 stars
Overwhelming
Sarah M.
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect for our projects
Lisa E.
5 out of 5 stars
Production ready from day one
Robert T.
3 out of 5 stars
Very impressed
Rachel K.
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant server licence
Gareth S.
5 out of 5 stars
Wrong CALs for our setup
David R.
5 out of 5 stars
No complaints at all
Daniel G.
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent for production
Daniel G.
2 out of 5 stars
Solid investment
Tracey J.
4 out of 5 stars
Brilliant server licence
Karen A.
4 out of 5 stars
Exactly what I needed
David R.
4 out of 5 stars
Should have hired help
Lisa E.
3 out of 5 stars
Expected more guidance
Graham E.
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent value
Simon M.
5 out of 5 stars
Smooth RDS deployment
Tech Manager
2 out of 5 stars
Couldn't configure alone
Claire H.
5 out of 5 stars
IT team approved
Fiona D.
4 out of 5 stars
Worth the investment
Helen S.
5 out of 5 stars
Regret not getting help
Network Admin
4 out of 5 stars
Properly licenced at last
Natalie O.
4 out of 5 stars
Stable and reliable
David R.
4 out of 5 stars
Great SQL Server licence
IT Admin
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant value
Ian R.
5 out of 5 stars
Very pleased
Simon M.
5 out of 5 stars
Enterprise-grade quality
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Essential for our business
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Mission critical and reliable
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4 out of 5 stars
IT team approved
Karen A.
5 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend
Stuart L.
4 out of 5 stars
Perfect for our infrastructure
Thomas H.
3 out of 5 stars
Team properly licenced
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5 out of 5 stars
Excellent purchase
Michael B.
5 out of 5 stars
Fast activation
Graham E.
5 out of 5 stars
Properly licenced at last
Laura P.
4 out of 5 stars
Great RDS CALs
Ian R.
3 out of 5 stars
Needed IT support
Gareth S.
4 out of 5 stars
No issues at all
Mark F.
4 out of 5 stars
Needed IT support
Alison P.
5 out of 5 stars
Worth every penny
Laura P.
5 out of 5 stars
Great RDS CALs
Tech Manager
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Remote team up and running
Ian R.
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Pleasantly surprised
Ian R.
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Exactly what I needed
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Not great value for us
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Essential for development
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Top quality
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Way more than I needed
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Great IDE
Neil A.
4 out of 5 stars
Exactly what we needed
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Superb
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Essential project management tool
Tech Manager
5 out of 5 stars
Running perfectly
David R.
4 out of 5 stars
Stable and reliable
Robert T.
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic product
Andrew C.
4 out of 5 stars
Brilliant server licence
Laura P.
4 out of 5 stars
Rock solid server
Wendy C.
5 out of 5 stars
Worth every penny
Sophie L.
4 out of 5 stars
Properly licenced at last
Stuart L.
5 out of 5 stars
Underestimated the complexity
Laura P.
5 out of 5 stars
Solid investment
Neil A.
4 out of 5 stars
Best purchase we made
Sophie L.
5 out of 5 stars
Way over my head
Wendy C.
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant value
Robert T.
4 out of 5 stars
Should have hired a DBA
IT Admin
5 out of 5 stars
Top quality product
Simon M.
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Database Admin
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Connor M.
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Max D.
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Emily W.
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Compliance Officer
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Compliance Officer
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Nathan A.
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Software Developer
4 out of 5 stars
Abigail H.
2 out of 5 stars
Compliance Officer
5 out of 5 stars
Chloe N.
5 out of 5 stars
IT Consultant
3 out of 5 stars
Lauren R.
5 out of 5 stars
Technical Director
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Ethan B.
5 out of 5 stars
Emily W.
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Liam C.
4 out of 5 stars
Jessica P.
5 out of 5 stars
Max D.
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Lauren R.
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Jessica P.
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Callum S.
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Technical Director
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Abigail H.
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Webmaster
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Daisy L.
4 out of 5 stars
Alexander M.
2 out of 5 stars
Ryan C.
5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding IDE
Samuel T.
3 out of 5 stars
Exactly what we needed
Freya R.
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect for our workloads
Amy L.
5 out of 5 stars
Top quality product
Chloe N.
5 out of 5 stars
Solid investment
Daisy L.
4 out of 5 stars
Too advanced for me
Software Developer
4 out of 5 stars
Outstanding value
Emily W.
4 out of 5 stars
Running 24/7 no problems
Jessica P.
4 out of 5 stars
Data insights unlocked
Daisy L.
5 out of 5 stars
IT team approved
Ethan B.
5 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend
Solutions Architect
4 out of 5 stars
Licensing is confusing
Chloe N.
5 out of 5 stars
Quick and easy
Nathan A.
4 out of 5 stars
Needed IT support
Olivia K.
5 out of 5 stars
Mission critical and reliable
Eleanor W.
2 out of 5 stars
Enterprise quality
Ryan C.
5 out of 5 stars
Over my head
Daisy L.
5 out of 5 stars
Great value CALs
Compliance Officer
5 out of 5 stars
Too complicated for me
Phoebe F.
5 out of 5 stars
Happy customer
Alexander M.
4 out of 5 stars
Really good
Daisy L.
4 out of 5 stars
Really pleased
Ethan B.
4 out of 5 stars
Not for beginners
Lauren R.
5 out of 5 stars
Way too complex
Nathan A.
3 out of 5 stars
Calendar management is great
Jake J.
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant value
Alexander M.
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect for daily work
Compliance Officer
5 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend
Connor M.
4 out of 5 stars
Complex setup
Chloe N.
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect solution
Jake J.
1 out of 5 stars
Mission critical and reliable
Dylan T.
5 out of 5 stars
No issues whatsoever
Data Analyst
4 out of 5 stars
Needed professional help
Joshua S.
2 out of 5 stars
Rock solid server
Joshua S.
1 out of 5 stars
Production-ready
Emily W.
5 out of 5 stars
IT audit ready
Samuel T.
5 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
Ryan C.
5 out of 5 stars
No issues whatsoever
Hannah K.
4 out of 5 stars
Should have hired an IT firm
Jessica P.
4 out of 5 stars
Exactly what we needed
Benjamin H.
5 out of 5 stars
Needed professional help
Max D.
5 out of 5 stars
Great value for enterprise
Compliance Officer
4 out of 5 stars
Wrong edition for us
Jake J.
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent purchase
Lauren R.
4 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend
Samuel T.
5 out of 5 stars
CALs deployed without issues
Daisy L.
3 out of 5 stars
Could not be happier
IT Consultant
5 out of 5 stars
All users connected
Joshua S.
3 out of 5 stars
No issues at all
Liam C.
5 out of 5 stars
Exactly what we needed
Jake J.
4 out of 5 stars
Frustrated
Lauren R.
5 out of 5 stars
Impressive suite
Liam C.
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent subscription
Max D.
5 out of 5 stars
Team productivity boosted
Benjamin H.
4 out of 5 stars
Top quality
Freya R.
2 out of 5 stars
Very impressive hardware
Technical Director
2 out of 5 stars
Couldn't do without it
Eleanor W.
5 out of 5 stars
No complaints
Support Manager
4 out of 5 stars
Could use free alternatives
Data Analyst
5 out of 5 stars
Resource planning sorted
Ethan B.
4 out of 5 stars
Solid investment
Abigail H.
4 out of 5 stars
Great value for enterprise
Olivia K.
5 out of 5 stars
Rock solid server
Data Analyst
5 out of 5 stars
Rock solid server
Matthew D.
5 out of 5 stars
Trusted solution
Jake J.
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic product
Benjamin H.
4 out of 5 stars
Mission critical and reliable
Emily W.
5 out of 5 stars
Way too complex
Jessica P.
5 out of 5 stars
Top tier hardware
Jessica P.
5 out of 5 stars
Worth every penny
Abigail H.
5 out of 5 stars
Exactly what we needed
Phoebe F.
3 out of 5 stars
Worth the investment
Lauren R.
5 out of 5 stars
Should have hired a DBA
Lauren R.
5 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend
Freya R.