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Head-to-head · Databases And Backend

Azure SQL Database vs Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Azure SQL Database #5 in Databases And Backend 6.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Azure SQL
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL #13 in Databases And Backend 6.1/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Microsoft

Azure SQL Database leads on 0 checks, Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAzure SQL Database · 6.9/10
  • Free planboth

Azure SQL Database scores higher on our rubric for databases and backend: 6.9 against 6.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #13.

Azure SQL Database is the better fit for teams building relational apps in the Azure ecosystem. Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL is the better fit for apps needing globally distributed JSON databases.

  • Azure SQL Database fits best

    Teams building relational apps in the Azure ecosystem

  • Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL fits best

    Apps needing globally distributed JSON databases

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Side by side

Feature Azure SQL Database 6.9/10 Visit ↗ Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL 6.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 6.9 6.1
Ranking #5 in Databases And Backend #13 in Databases And Backend
Best for Teams building relational apps in the Azure ecosystem Apps needing globally distributed JSON databases
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web
Support Docs, Community Docs
Compliance 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Azure SQL Database 0/4 · Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL 0/4
Built-in auth Not published Not published
Realtime data sync Not published Not published
Serverless functions Not published Not published
File storage Not published Not published
Specs
Database model Not published Not published
Deployment model Not published Not published
API style Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Free offer includes serverless compute, storage, and up to 10 databases
  • Choose between provisioned and serverless compute, single databases, or elastic pools
  • Includes point-in-time restore, zone redundancy, and REST or GraphQL API generation
  • Combines schema-free JSON storage with SQL-like querying and automatic indexing
  • Supports transactions within a logical partition and integrated vector search
  • Offers provisioned, autoscale, and serverless throughput options
Cons
  • Cloud deployment only
  • Free offer limits compute and storage per database
  • Its integrations center on Azure services
  • Transactions are scoped to a logical partition
  • The lifetime free tier is limited to one account per Azure subscription
  • Throughput and storage charges vary by region and usage
Our verdict

Azure SQL Database is a managed relational database service built on the SQL Server engine and hosted in Azure. It suits teams building cloud applications, SaaS workloads, development projects, or business systems that need a managed SQL…

Read the review →

Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL is a fully managed cloud document database for teams building applications around flexible JSON data and global distribution. It pairs schema-free storage with SQL-like querying, automatic indexing, and REST API…

Read the review →
  1. Azure SQL DatabaseDatabases And Backend 6.9Free plan
  2. Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQLDatabases And Backend 6.1Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Azure SQL Database — where it wins

    • Free offer includes serverless compute, storage, and up to 10 databases
    • Choose between provisioned and serverless compute, single databases, or elastic pools
    • Includes point-in-time restore, zone redundancy, and REST or GraphQL API generation

    Where it doesn't

    • Cloud deployment only
    • Free offer limits compute and storage per database
    • Its integrations center on Azure services

  • Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL — where it wins

    • Combines schema-free JSON storage with SQL-like querying and automatic indexing
    • Supports transactions within a logical partition and integrated vector search
    • Offers provisioned, autoscale, and serverless throughput options

    Where it doesn't

    • Transactions are scoped to a logical partition
    • The lifetime free tier is limited to one account per Azure subscription
    • Throughput and storage charges vary by region and usage
  • Azure SQL Database6.9/10 · Free plan

    A managed Azure SQL service with a defined free offer and flexible compute options.

    Visit Azure SQLFull verdict →
  • Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL6.1/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A flexible JSON database with global replication and several throughput models.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All databases and backend comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update