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Head-to-head · Database Software

MySQL vs Microsoft SQL Server

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score MySQL #2 in Database Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit MySQL
Microsoft SQL Server #4 in Database Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Microsoft

MySQL leads on 0 checks, Microsoft SQL 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 scoreMySQL · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

MySQL scores higher on our rubric for database software: 9.3 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

MySQL is the better fit for teams needing a versatile SQL database. Microsoft SQL Server is the better fit for organizations invested in Microsoft data tools.

  • MySQL fits best

    Teams needing a versatile SQL database

  • Microsoft SQL Server fits best

    Organizations invested in Microsoft data tools

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Side by side

Feature MySQL 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Microsoft SQL Server 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.1
Ranking #2 in Database Software #4 in Database Software
Best for Teams needing a versatile SQL database Organizations invested in Microsoft data tools
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, Linux
Support Community, Docs · 24/7 Docs
Integrations 8 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MySQL 0/3 · Microsoft SQL Server 0/3
SQL support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Vector search Not checked yet Not checked yet
Replication support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Database model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment options Not checked yet Not checked yet
Included storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free GPL Community Edition includes SQL, NoSQL, replication, and connectors
  • JSON support, replication, and failover cover varied relational workloads
  • Available as cloud service or self-hosted, with Workbench administration
  • Availability groups, failover clusters, and readable secondary replicas
  • Backup, restore, compression, and encrypted backup features
  • Works with Azure services, Power BI Report Server, and Visual Studio tools
Cons
  • Commercial editions require server licensing and may involve sales engagement
  • Advanced security and management features are reserved for Enterprise Edition
  • Cluster and high-availability capabilities sit in a separate commercial edition
  • Express is limited to databases up to 50 GB
  • Developer edition is licensed only for non-production development and test use
  • Paid editions involve volume licensing or subscriptions
Our verdict

MySQL is a relational database management system for developers, applications, and organizations that need SQL workloads across cloud or self-hosted environments. Its Community Edition is freely downloadable under the GPL and includes SQL…

Read the review →

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system for developers and organizations that need to store, process, and secure relational data. It supports Windows and Linux, with cloud and self-hosted deployment options, and…

Read the review →
  1. MySQLDatabase Software 9.3Free plan
  2. Microsoft SQL ServerDatabase Software 9.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MySQL — where it wins

    • Free GPL Community Edition includes SQL, NoSQL, replication, and connectors
    • JSON support, replication, and failover cover varied relational workloads
    • Available as cloud service or self-hosted, with Workbench administration

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial editions require server licensing and may involve sales engagement
    • Advanced security and management features are reserved for Enterprise Edition
    • Cluster and high-availability capabilities sit in a separate commercial edition

  • Microsoft SQL Server — where it wins

    • Availability groups, failover clusters, and readable secondary replicas
    • Backup, restore, compression, and encrypted backup features
    • Works with Azure services, Power BI Report Server, and Visual Studio tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Express is limited to databases up to 50 GB
    • Developer edition is licensed only for non-production development and test use
    • Paid editions involve volume licensing or subscriptions
  • MySQL9.3/10 · Free plan

    A flexible SQL database with a free edition and commercial paths for higher availability and management.

    Visit MySQLFull verdict →
  • Microsoft SQL Server9.1/10 · Free plan

    A general-purpose relational database with free editions and broad Microsoft tooling support.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All database software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update