How to license SQL Server
SQL Server licensing makes choosing the right edition simple and economical.
Simple pricing metrics
Meet different business needs with different editions of SQL Server.
Flexibility and innovation
Benefit from the new, flexible pay-as-you-go-pricing option enabled via Azure Arc.
Industry-leading value
Get a lower total cost of ownership for your database needs.
SQL Server 2022 pricing
SQL Server 2022 pricing1
| Editions | Open no-level price (US dollar) | Licensing model | Channel availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | $15,123[2] | 2 core pack | Volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard - per core | $3,945[2] | 2 core pack | Volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard - server | $989[2] | Server[3] | Volume licensing, hosting |
| Standard - CAL | $230 | CAL | Volume licensing, hosting |
| Developer | Free | Per user | Free download |
| Web | See your hosting partner for pricing | Not applicable | Hosting only |
| Express | Free | Not applicable | Free download |
Pay-as-you-go billing for Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server 2022
Introducing a new cloud billing option for SQL Server customers, providing pay-as-you-go flexibility across on-premises and cloud environments.
| Editions | Monthly rate (US dollar) | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard per core | $73 | $0.100 |
| Enterprise per core | $274 | $0.375 |
Subscriptions and add-ons
| Subscriptions and add-ons | Price (US dollar) | Licensing model | Channel availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Server Enterprise | $5,434/year | 2 core pack | Volume Licensing |
| SQL Server Standard | $1,418/year | 2 core pack | Volume Licensing |
SQL Server 2022 Software Assurance benefits
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| License by vCore [4]New | Allows customers to elect to license SQL Server 2022 by virtual operating system environment (OSE). |
| Fail-Over servers for disaster recovery | Allows customers to install and run passive SQL Server 2022 instances in a separate OSE or server for disaster recovery in anticipation of a failover event. |
| Fail-over servers for disaster recovery in Azure | Allows customers to install and run passive SQL Server 2022 instances in a separate OSE or server for disaster recovery in SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines or Azure SQL Managed Instance in anticipation of a failover event. |
| Azure Hybrid Benefit | Enables customers to use SQL Server licenses with Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licenses to pay a reduced rate (“base rate”) on SQL Database vCore-based options such as managed instance, vCore-based single database, and vCore-based elastic pool; on SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines (including, but not limited to, Azure Dedicated Host); and on SQL Server Integration Services. |
| Fail-over servers for high availability | Allows customers to install and run passive SQL Server 2022 instances in a separate OSE or server for high availability in anticipation of a failover event. |
| Unlimited virtualization | Allows customers to run any number of instances of SQL Server 2022 Enterprise Edition software in an unlimited number of VMs. Applicable under the core licensing model only. |
| Power BI Report Server | Allows SQL Server Enterprise Edition customers to run Power BI Report Server. |
| Unlimited containerizationNew | Allows customers to create any number of containerized instances of SQL in their virtual OSE if they license all the virtual cores on their virtual OSE. |
| License mobility through Software Assurance | Allows license reassignment of SQL Server 2022 to third-party shared servers. Does not apply to SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW). |
| Additional benefits for Server and Cloud Enrollment customers | In addition to the benefits noted above, Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE) customers may also qualify for premium benefits, including unlimited problem resolution support. |
| Additional benefits for SCE customers | In addition to the benefits noted above, SCE customers may also qualify for premium benefits, including Unlimited Problem Resolution Support. |
- SQL Server 2022 paid editions (Enterprise and Standard) will be available for volume licensing (Enterprise Agreement, Enterprise Agreement Subscriptions) and MPSA customers starting November 16, 2022. Customers can begin purchasing SQL Server 2022 via other channels in January 2023.
- Pricing represents open no-level (NL) estimated retail price. For your specific pricing, contact your Microsoft reseller.
- Client access licenses (CALs) are required for every user or device accessing a server in the Server + CAL licensing model. See the product use rights for details.
- Applies to new license acquisitions on or after 11/16/2022.
- Note: SQL Server 2019 Big Data Clusters is being retired in January 2025. See “The path forward for SQL Server analytics” blog post for more details.
For sales questions, contact a Microsoft representative at (800) 426-9400 in the United States or (877) 568-2495 in Canada.
How to buy SQL Server
Connect with a Microsoft solution provider
Whether you're evaluating business needs or ready to buy, a Microsoft certified solution provider will guide you every step of the way.
Contact your Microsoft account representative
Call your account manager or contact your regional Microsoft office for further details.
Buy online at the Microsoft Store
Purchase SQL Server 2022 Standard edition easily online.
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