MySQL vs Azure SQL Database

MySQL9.3Visit Azure SQL Database8.9Visit

Higher score MySQL #2 in Relational Databases 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit MySQL

vs

Azure SQL Database #6 in Relational Databases 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Azure SQL

• MySQL fits best

  Versatile open-source SQL deployments

• Azure SQL Database fits best

  Low-cost managed SQL Server

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Side by side

Feature	MySQL 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Azure SQL Database 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Relational Databases	#6 in Relational Databases
Best for	Versatile open-source SQL deployments	Low-cost managed SQL Server
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs · 24/7	Docs, Community
Integrations	8 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MySQL 4/4 · Azure SQL Database 4/4
Managed service	✓	✓
High availability	✓	✓
Read replicas	✓	✓
JSON data support	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment model	Both	Cloud
Backup retention	Not checked yet	7 days
Maximum connections	Not checked yet	30 connections
Our review
Pros	Free Community Edition with SQL, JSON, replication, and stored procedures Supports self-hosted, cloud, Windows, macOS, and Linux deployments Includes connectors and MySQL Workbench for development and administration	Free offer supports up to 10 databases Serverless compute, backups, failover, and replicas Integrates with Azure Functions, Power BI, and Microsoft Fabric
Cons	Commercial editions and HeatWave require Oracle Store or sales contact Backup retention and maximum connections vary by deployment Multiple storage engines and deployment options add architecture decisions	Basic allows 30 maximum concurrent logins Free usage is capped at 100,000 vCore seconds monthly Cloud and API coverage may not suit broader deployment needs
Our verdict	MySQL is an open-source relational database system for web, cloud, mobile, embedded, and enterprise applications. It supports SQL and relational processing alongside a native JSON type, JSON functions, stored procedures, triggers, views,… Read the review →	Azure SQL Database is a cloud-native relational database service built on Microsoft’s SQL Server engine. It is designed for development teams and organizations building or modernizing cloud applications on Azure. The service supports… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• MySQL — where it wins

  • Free Community Edition with SQL, JSON, replication, and stored procedures
  • Supports self-hosted, cloud, Windows, macOS, and Linux deployments
  • Includes connectors and MySQL Workbench for development and administration

  Where it doesn't

  • Commercial editions and HeatWave require Oracle Store or sales contact
  • Backup retention and maximum connections vary by deployment
  • Multiple storage engines and deployment options add architecture decisions

• Azure SQL Database — where it wins

  • Free offer supports up to 10 databases
  • Serverless compute, backups, failover, and replicas
  • Integrates with Azure Functions, Power BI, and Microsoft Fabric

  Where it doesn't

  • Basic allows 30 maximum concurrent logins
  • Free usage is capped at 100,000 vCore seconds monthly
  • Cloud and API coverage may not suit broader deployment needs

• MySQL9.3/10 · Free plan

  A versatile open-source SQL database with replication, JSON, connectors, and failover.

  Visit MySQLFull verdict →
• Azure SQL Database8.9/10 · Free plan

  A low-cost managed SQL Server service with a free offer and Azure-native features.

  Visit Azure SQLFull verdict →