| author | ms.author | ms.date | ms.service | ms.topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
rwestMSFT |
randolphwest |
07/05/2023 |
azure-sql-database |
include |
The following table describes the editions of [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md].
| Edition | Definition |
|---|---|
| Enterprise | The premium offering, [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] Enterprise edition delivers comprehensive high-end datacenter capabilities with blazing-fast performance, unlimited virtualization 1, and end-to-end business intelligence, enabling high service levels for mission-critical workloads and end-user access to data insights. Enterprise edition is available for evaluation. An evaluation deployment is available for 180 days. For more information, see SQL Server Licensing Resources and Documents. |
| Standard | [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] Standard edition delivers basic data management and business intelligence database for departments and small organizations to run their applications and supports common development tools for on-premises and cloud, enabling effective database management with minimal IT resources. |
| Web | [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] Web edition is a low total-cost-of-ownership option for Web hosters (including choosing Web edition on IaaS on Azure) and Web VAPs to provide scalability, affordability, and manageability capabilities for small to large-scale Web properties. |
| Developer | [!INCLUDE ssdeveloper-md] edition lets developers build any kind of application on top of [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md]. It includes all the functionality of Enterprise edition, but is licensed for use as a development and test system, not as a production server. [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] Developer is an ideal choice for people who build and test applications. |
| Express edition | [!INCLUDE ssexpress-md] edition is the entry-level, free database and is ideal for learning and building desktop and small server data-driven applications. It is the best choice for independent software vendors, developers, and hobbyists building client applications. If you need more advanced database features, [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] Express can be seamlessly upgraded to other higher end versions of [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md]. [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] Express LocalDB is a lightweight version of Express edition that has all of its programmability features, runs in user mode and has a fast, zero-configuration installation and a short list of prerequisites. |
1 Unlimited virtualization is available on Enterprise edition for customers with Software Assurance. Deployments must comply with the licensing guide. For more information, see SQL Server Licensing Resources and Documents.