Microsoft SQL Server pricing
20 plans read from microsoft.com
Standard per corePriced on request Standard edition · 2-core pack · Volume licensing and hosting Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard per corePrice not published Standard edition · 2-core pack · Volume licensing and hosting Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard serverPriced on request Standard edition · Server license · Volume licensing and hosting Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard serverPrice not published Standard edition · Server license · Volume licensing and hosting Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard CALPriced on request Client access license · Volume licensing and hosting Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard CALPrice not published Client access license · Volume licensing and hosting Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Enterprise pay-as-you-go$274 a month Monthly rate; Azure Arc enabledCloud billing for on-premises and cloud Read 11 Oct 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Developer – Standard & EnterpriseFree Free download; development and testing, not production Read 11 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
ExpressFree Free download; desktop, web, and small server applications Read 11 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
Standard pay-as-you-go$73 a month Monthly rate; Azure Arc enabledCloud billing for on-premises and cloud Read 11 Oct 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard - CAL$230, paid once Open no-level price; CALVolume licensing, hosting Read 11 Oct 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard - server$989, paid once Open no-level price; Server licenseCALs required for users or devices accessing a server under the Server + CAL model; volume licensing, hosting Read 11 Oct 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard subscription$1,418 a year 2 core packVolume licensing Read 11 Oct 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard - per core$3,945, paid once Open no-level price; 2 core packVolume licensing, hosting Read 11 Oct 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Enterprise subscription$5,434 a year 2 core packVolume licensing Read 11 Oct 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Enterprise$15,123, paid once Open no-level price; 2 core packVolume licensing, hosting Read 11 Oct 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Enterprise pay-as-you-go hourlyPriced on request Azure Arc-enabled pay-as-you-go billing · Enterprise edition Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Enterprise pay-as-you-go hourlyPrice not published Azure Arc-enabled pay-as-you-go billing · Enterprise edition Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard pay-as-you-go hourlyPrice not published Azure Arc-enabled pay-as-you-go billing · Standard edition Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
Standard pay-as-you-go hourlyPriced on request Azure Arc-enabled pay-as-you-go billing · Standard edition Read 22 Sep 2026 · cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com
In short
- Microsoft SQL Server has a free plan (Standard per core).
- Paid plans published: 8, from $73 a month.
- 5 plans are priced on request (Standard per core, Standard server, Standard CAL, Enterprise pay-as-you-go hourly, Standard pay-as-you-go hourly).
What the alternatives costAll alternatives →
| Tool | From | Free plan | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| MySQL | — | Yes | Yes |
| SQLite | $12.50/mo | Yes | No |
| SingleStore Helios | $0.99/mo | Yes | Yes |
| Firestore | — | Yes | Yes |
| TiDB Cloud | — | Yes | No |
| Amazon Timestream | — | Yes | No |
| Azure SQL Database | — | Yes | No |
| ClickHouse Cloud | $25.30/mo | No | Yes |