Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Standard · Per Core
A clear, core-based SQL Server licence for established Windows environments
Choose the core quantity your deployment requires and receive a new Retail product key, a Microsoft download link, SQL Server 2016 SP3 installation instructions and human installation support.
- New Retail key
- No SQL Server CALs required
- Email delivery in 1–10 minutes
- Valid worldwide
Know before you buy
Quick product facts
Choose the correct entitlement
Core quantities and prices
Select the quantity that covers your physical or virtual deployment. Prices are in Australian dollars.
Microsoft minimum licensing rules still apply
- Physical server: licence every physical core, with a minimum of four core licences per physical processor.
- Virtual machine: licence every virtual core assigned to the VM, with a minimum of four core licences per VM.
- The 2-core selection is intended to add coverage to an already compliant licence quantity.
Review Microsoft’s SQL Server 2016 licensing guide or contact us before ordering if you are unsure.
Included with your order
What you receive
- New Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Standard Retail product key
- Licence entitlement for the selected core quantity
- Microsoft-hosted download link
- SQL Server 2016 SP3 installation instructions
- Remote assistance, live chat, email and phone support
Best suited to
Who should choose this release?
- Businesses maintaining an application certified specifically for SQL Server 2016
- ERP, CRM, reporting or line-of-business systems with controlled core requirements
- Windows Server 2012–2019 environments that cannot yet migrate
- Deployments where Per Core licensing is preferable to counting users or devices
Standard Edition capabilities
Practical database, security and reporting features
Core database engine
Run transactional and analytical workloads with T-SQL, Query Store, temporal tables, JSON support and backup encryption.
Controlled high availability
Basic Availability Groups support one primary and one secondary replica for a single availability database. The secondary is not readable and cannot host backups.
Data protection
Use Always Encrypted, Row-Level Security, Dynamic Data Masking and auditing. Transparent Data Encryption is not included in SQL Server 2016 Standard.
Business intelligence services
Standard includes SQL Server Integration Services, Reporting Services and Analysis Services, subject to Standard Edition capacity limits.
In-memory capabilities
SP1 provides common programmability features including In-Memory OLTP, columnstore, compression and partitioning, with Standard Edition scale limits.
Predictable scale
A Standard Database Engine instance is limited to the lesser of four sockets or 24 cores, with a 128 GB buffer-pool limit.
Check before installation
Compatibility and system requirements
| Requirement | Supported or recommended |
|---|---|
| Operating systems | Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016 and 2019; Windows 8, 8.1 and 10, subject to Microsoft service-pack and OS requirements |
| Not supported | Windows 11, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2025, macOS and Linux |
| Processor | x64 processor; 1.4 GHz minimum, 2.0 GHz or faster recommended |
| Memory | 1 GB minimum for non-Express editions; at least 4 GB recommended, with more required for production workloads |
| Storage | At least 6 GB for installation; actual space depends on selected components, databases, logs and backups |
| Framework | .NET Framework 4.6 is required by setup; use a currently supported .NET Framework 4.x release such as 4.8 where compatible |
Verify the latest Microsoft installation requirements before deployment.
Choose another product when appropriate
Who should not purchase SQL Server 2016?
- Organisations requiring normal Microsoft product support or security updates without a separate ESU arrangement
- Deployments on Windows 11, Windows Server 2022/2025, macOS or Linux
- Workloads requiring Transparent Data Encryption, full Always On Availability Groups, readable secondaries or Enterprise-scale resources
- New projects without a firm SQL Server 2016 compatibility dependency
A supported digital handover
Delivery, installation and licence handling
- 1
Choose your core quantity
Cover all required physical or virtual cores and observe Microsoft’s minimum licensing rules.
- 2
Receive your email
The product key, Microsoft download link and SP3 installation instructions normally arrive within 1–10 minutes after payment.
- 3
Install with human support
Use the supplied guide or contact Software Mart by remote assistance, live chat, email or phone.
- 4
Resolve activation issues
After troubleshooting, a replacement key is provided first. If the replacement also fails, Software Mart provides a 100% refund.
Reinstallation and transfer
The supplied licence can be reinstalled on the same server, transferred to another server and reactivated after an HDD or motherboard replacement. Contact Software Mart before reassignment or major hardware changes so support can guide the activation process.
Purchase questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Do I need SQL Server CALs?
No. This listing uses the Per Core licensing model, which allows access by unlimited users and devices without separate SQL Server CALs. You must correctly license every required core.
Can I purchase only two cores?
The 2-core selection is an add-on quantity. Microsoft generally requires at least four core licences per physical processor or virtual machine, and every relevant core must be covered.
Does SQL Server 2016 Standard support Linux or macOS?
No. This product is for supported x64 Windows environments only. SQL Server 2016 is not compatible with macOS or Linux.
Is SQL Server 2016 still supported by Microsoft?
Normal extended support ended on 14 July 2026. Paid Extended Security Updates may be available separately to eligible customers, but they are not included with this licence.
Does Standard include Transparent Data Encryption?
No. SQL Server 2016 Standard does not include TDE. It does include other protection features such as Always Encrypted, Row-Level Security, Dynamic Data Masking, auditing and backup encryption.
Can the licence be transferred or reactivated?
Yes. Software Mart confirms that the supplied licence can be reinstalled on the same server, transferred to another server and reactivated following an HDD or motherboard replacement. Contact support for assistance.
What happens if activation fails?
Software Mart first troubleshoots the installation, then supplies a replacement key. If the replacement also fails, a 100% refund is provided.
Ready when your core count is verified
Licence the deployment you actually operate
Select the required core quantity above. If you are unsure how many physical or virtual cores need coverage, contact Software Mart before ordering.
- New Retail key
- Microsoft SP3 download
- 1–10 minute email delivery
- Installation and activation support
