Azure SQL, SQL Managed Instance, or SQL Server: Which is Best?

Database technology has become increasingly important in today's world. Databases are used to store, organize and manipulate large amounts of data. This data can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from marketing to analytics to financial tracking. The need for database technology is growing as businesses become more reliant on data-driven decisions. Database technology allows businesses to quickly access and analyze large amounts of data in order to make better decisions and improve efficiency. Additionally, databases can be used to store and share data across multiple applications, enabling organizations to gain valuable insights from their data. Database technology is an invaluable tool for businesses of all sizes and is essential for staying competitive in today's digital world.

When you are considering which database technology is the best choice, the decision will often come down to Azure SQL, SQL Managed Instance, or SQL Server. While all of these solutions are powerful database solutions, making the best decision for a business really comes down to understanding how to make the most of your resources with how each solution will work for your data.

In this post we'll provide an overview of each solution, taking into consideration the trade-offs of each, and follow-up with our recommendations on which one is best for each scenario.

Azure SQL

Azure SQL is Microsoft's cloud-based database platform. It offers a secure, reliable, and cost-effective solution for managing data and running applications in the cloud. Azure SQL provides customers with a fully managed, highly scalable database service that can be deployed quickly and easily. It supports both relational and non-relational data models, and offers automated backup, disaster recovery, and security features. With its built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, Azure SQL can provide intelligent insights into your data and help to optimize performance. In addition, it is compatible with a variety of programming languages and frameworks, making it easy for developers to create powerful applications with minimal effort.

Azure SQL is a great choice for businesses that are already comfortable with the Azure platform and are looking for a database solution that is easy to set up and manage. However, Azure SQL can be more expensive than the other options, and it may not be the best choice for businesses with very high performance requirements. On one hand, the service is reliable and highly-scalable, making it a good choice for businesses that need to store large amounts of data or handle multiple simultaneous requests. On the other hand, the cost of using Azure SQL can be very high, especially for businesses that are just starting out and don't need all of the features that come with the service. Additionally, the service can be difficult to set up and manage, as there is a steep learning curve associated with using Azure SQL. Finally, due to its popularity, there can be some security risks associated with using Azure SQL, as hackers may try to exploit known vulnerabilities. For these reasons, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Whether you are a large enterprise or a small startup, Azure SQL can provide the database platform you need to run your business. 

SQL Managed Instance

SQL Managed Instance is an Azure-based cloud platform that provides a fully managed instance of the Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine. It's a secure, cost-effective and highly reliable platform optimized for applications running on the Microsoft data platform. With SQL Managed Instance, users get the benefits of deploying a managed instance of the Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine while taking advantage of the scalability, security and cost savings that the cloud provides. The service is highly scalable and allows users to provision multiple databases and instances in a single Azure region. It also supports automated backups, patching, and software updates, as well as built-in security features like encryption and multi-factor authentication. With these features, SQL Managed Instance makes it easy to deploy and manage secure databases on the cloud. SQL Managed Instance is a good choice for businesses that want the power of SQL Server with the flexibility of Azure. However, SQL Managed Instance can be more complex to set up than Azure SQL, and it may not be the best choice for businesses that need the absolute highest performance possible.

Overall, the biggest advantage of this service is that it simplifies the process of managing and scaling a database, including automated patching and backups, as well as higher availability and performance. However, there are more drawbacks to consider. First, this service requires a commitment to Microsoft Azure, which may not be ideal for organizations that use other cloud providers. Second, it is more expensive than traditional SQL Server, since Microsoft charges a premium for the extra features and support. Finally, the service is still relatively new, so some organizations may prefer to wait until it has been more thoroughly tested before using it. Ultimately, whether or not SQL Managed Instance is right for you will depend on the specific needs of your business and related goals, along with your project budget.

SQL Server

SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It is used to store, manage, and access large amounts of structured data, such as customer and order information. SQL Server is highly scalable and can be used for a wide range of applications, from small applications to enterprise-level applications. It is also highly secure and provides a range of features to protect data from unauthorized access and malicious threats. SQL Server is based on the Structured Query Language (SQL), which is a language used to access and manipulate databases. It also includes a range of tools for designing, constructing, and maintaining databases. With SQL Server, users can quickly access, analyze, and share data in an efficient and secure manner.

SQL Server is the best choice for businesses that need the highest possible performance and are willing to invest the time and resources required to set it up and manage it. It can also be difficult to scale, as it is designed to be used by larger organizations. It also requires a certain level of technical expertise to manage and maintain, so it may not be the best choice for those who are not well-versed in database management. One of the biggest advantages of SQL Server is that it is highly reliable, secure, and it comes with a range of features that make data management easier to handle large volumes of data. However, one of the drawbacks is that it can become quite expensive to purchase and maintain, as the licensing costs can add up quickly. Additionally, while it is relatively easy to use, it can take some time to learn the more advanced features. Overall, SQL Server is a powerful and reliable database system, but it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

CSW Solutions can be a great resource for organizations looking to use Microsoft Azure SQL databases. Our multilingual team of certified Microsoft Azure consultants have extensive experience in setting up and managing Azure SQL databases. Our team can help you plan and design your database architecture, configure security settings, and ensure that your database is optimized for performance.

Additionally, we offer a range of custom database development services to help monitor and manage your database, including backup and recovery, data migration, and troubleshooting. We also provide ongoing support and training to ensure that you get the most out of your Azure SQL database. Whether it’s a small project or a larger-scale deployment, our friendly team of experts can help you meet your Azure SQL database needs. Let us know what's on your mind!