SQL Server 2025 buying guide
Compare SQL Server 2025 licences
Start with the latest SQL Server release when your applications and hosting environment support it. Compare Standard and Enterprise against the database features you need, then size the core licence.
For production databases that fit Standard’s feature and capacity limits. Check the core quantity against the system you plan to license.
For workloads that depend on Enterprise features, including advanced availability or performance options. Verify the required features and core count.
For a virtual machine, failover setup or hosted deployment, confirm the licensing terms before ordering. Compare SQL Server 2022 if your application requires that release.
