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Head-to-head · Sql Databases

Microsoft SQL Server vs MariaDB Server

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Microsoft SQL Server #3 in Sql Databases 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Microsoft
MariaDB Server #6 in Sql Databases 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit MariaDB

Microsoft SQL Server leads on 0 checks, MariaDB Server 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 scoreMicrosoft SQL Server · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

Microsoft SQL Server scores higher on our rubric for sql databases: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Microsoft SQL Server is the better fit for windows- and Azure-oriented SQL environments. MariaDB Server is the better fit for free, self-hosted MySQL-compatible databases.

  • Microsoft SQL Server fits best

    Windows- and Azure-oriented SQL environments

  • MariaDB Server fits best

    Free, self-hosted MySQL-compatible databases

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Side by side

Feature Microsoft SQL Server 9.2/10 Visit ↗ MariaDB Server 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #3 in Sql Databases #6 in Sql Databases
Best for Windows- and Azure-oriented SQL environments Free, self-hosted MySQL-compatible databases
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, Linux Linux, Windows
Support Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft SQL Server 0/1 · MariaDB Server 0/1
Managed backups Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment options Not checked yet Not checked yet
SQL standard support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Included storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Availability SLA Not checked yet Not checked yet
Replication options Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Runs in cloud or self-hosted deployments on Windows and Linux
  • Supports availability groups, failover clustering, and readable replicas
  • Includes JSON indexing, full-text search, and vector indexing
  • GPLv2 open source licensing and a free plan
  • Read scaling, primary-replica replication and Galera clustering
  • Connectors for C, Java, ODBC, Python and Node.js
Cons
  • Express is limited to databases up to 50 GB
  • Paid editions use licensing options that can depend on the reseller
  • Its support channel is documentation
  • Self-hosted deployment requires managing the database environment
  • Listed platforms are limited to Linux and Windows
  • Support channels are community and documentation
Our verdict

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system for developers and organizations that need to store, process, and secure data. It fits Windows- and Azure-oriented environments, while also supporting Linux and cloud or…

Read the review →

MariaDB Server is an open source, SQL-based relational database for developers and organizations that need a self-hosted option compatible with common MySQL-based applications. It supports transactional workloads, analytics and embedded…

Read the review →
  1. Microsoft SQL ServerSql Databases 9.2Free plan
  2. MariaDB ServerSql Databases 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Microsoft SQL Server — where it wins

    • Runs in cloud or self-hosted deployments on Windows and Linux
    • Supports availability groups, failover clustering, and readable replicas
    • Includes JSON indexing, full-text search, and vector indexing

    Where it doesn't

    • Express is limited to databases up to 50 GB
    • Paid editions use licensing options that can depend on the reseller
    • Its support channel is documentation

  • MariaDB Server — where it wins

    • GPLv2 open source licensing and a free plan
    • Read scaling, primary-replica replication and Galera clustering
    • Connectors for C, Java, ODBC, Python and Node.js

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires managing the database environment
    • Listed platforms are limited to Linux and Windows
    • Support channels are community and documentation
  • Microsoft SQL Server9.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad SQL database for Windows- and Azure-oriented environments, with free and paid editions.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
  • MariaDB Server8.9/10 · Free plan

    A self-hosted, MySQL-compatible database with replication, clustering and multiple connectors.

    Visit MariaDBFull verdict →

More comparisons

All sql databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update