Azure SQL Database
Build apps that scale with managed and intelligent SQL database in the cloud
Build apps faster on a fully managed SQL database
Part of the Azure SQL family, Azure SQL Database is an always-up-to-date, fully managed relational database service built for the cloud. Build your next app with the simplicity and flexibility of a multi-model database that scales to meet demand. Gain near real–time insights without impacting performance with Azure Synapse Link for SQL Database (preview).
Fully managed database engine automates updates, provisioning, and backups so you can focus on application development
Flexible and responsive serverless compute and Hyperscale storage rapidly adapt to your changing requirements
Layers of protection, built-in controls, and intelligent threat detection help keep your data secure
Built-in AI and high availability maintain peak performance and durability with an SLA of up to 99.995 percent
Fully managed and always on the latest version of SQL
Eliminate the complexity of configuring and managing high availability, tuning, backups, and other database tasks with a fully managed SQL database. Accelerate your application development in the only cloud database with evergreen SQL using the latest SQL Server capabilities—no need to worry about updates, upgrades, or end of support again.
Rapidly deliver modern, intelligent apps
Build applications locally or in the cloud on popular platforms and frameworks with driver support for the most common languages, and simplify development with native support for services such as Azure Functions and Azure App Service. Meet the demands of modern applications and work with data in multiple formats, including graph, JSON, and spatial. Optimize price-performance and manage multi-tenant application complexity by sharing resources through elastic pools.
Hyperscale your most demanding workloads
Break through the resource limitations that can affect your application's performance. Azure SQL Database Hyperscale adapts to changing requirements by rapidly scaling storage up to 100 TB. Flexible, cloud-native architecture allows storage to grow as needed. Back up data almost instantaneously and restore your cloud database in minutes—regardless of the size of the data operation.
Optimize costs with compute that scales automatically
Build modern apps your way with provisioned and serverless compute options. Azure SQL Database serverless simplifies performance management and helps developers build apps faster and more efficiently with compute resources that automatically scale based on workload demand. SQL Database serverless is best for scenarios where usage is intermittent and unpredictable and where you pay only for compute resources you use on a per-second basis, which optimizes overall price-performance.
Save with a lower total cost of ownership
Use Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server to maximize the value of your current licensing investments. Save up to 55 percent compared to pay-as-you-go pricing on SQL Database1 when you use your SQL Server licenses with Software Assurance. Commit upfront to a three-year term using reservation pricing and combine it with Azure Hybrid Benefit to save up to 80 percent off pay-as-you-go pricing.2
Advanced data security
- Enable tamper-evident, cryptographic verification for your centralized data stores from within your database with SQL Database ledger—no data migration or application changes required.
- Remediate potential threats in real time with intelligent threat protection and proactive vulnerability assessment alerts.
- Get industry-leading, multilayered protection with built-in security controls including network security, encryption, and access and key management.
- Take advantage of the most comprehensive compliance coverage of any cloud database service.
- Protect your data with Always Encrypted technology, where encryption keys are never revealed to the SQL database engine.
Pricing for the intelligent, relational cloud database service
Explore pricing options and find the performance tier that best fits your workload.
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Trusted by companies of all sizes
Saving on infrastructure costs with SQL Database
udaan customers now have a highly responsive and performant connection to a greater range of suppliers and inventory than ever before. Learn how udaan used SQL Database to fuel its growth into one of India's fastest-growing unicorn companies.
Scaling instantly and delivering faster service
SaaS provider Inlitix used SQL Database serverless' seamless interoperation with other Azure services to provide near real–time analytics while reducing costs and boosting developer efficiency.
Boosting efficiency and scaling for growth
Learn how Axpo is using SQL Database serverless and Azure Machine Learning to evaluate the status and performance of its hydroelectric power plant equipment in real time.
Scaling critical emergency management apps
Learn how Juvare used SQL Database elastic pools to support its emergency management clients' data residency, compliance, and performance requirements in a cost-effective manner.
Optimizing scale and efficiency
Learn how Schneider Electric consolidated 1,500 virtual machines, databases, and reporting apps into a single Hyperscale database with the power to scale with the company's needs.
Reinforcing customer trust with ledger
Lenovo uses ledger in SQL Database to power its Trusted Supply Chain app, giving it a head start on emerging industry security standards and helping it to establish a zero-trust approach for its high-security use cases.
Azure SQL Database resources
Migration
Learn more about SQL Server migration.
Documentation
Microsoft Learn
Expand your knowledge with hands-on online courses.
Professional Azure SQL Managed Database Administration
Get a free technical implementation guide to learn how to deploy, configure, and modernize your existing applications with Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
The Economic Value of Migrating On-Premises SQL Server Instances to Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions
Explore how to save money, improve operational efficiency, and boost agility by migrating to Azure SQL.
Frequently asked questions about Azure SQL Database
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Azure SQL Database is available as a single database with its own set of resources managed via a logical server, and as a pooled database in an elastic pool, with a shared set of resources managed through a logical server. In general, elastic pools are designed for a typical software-as-a-service (SaaS) application pattern, with one database per customer or tenant. With pools, you manage the collective performance, and the databases scale up or down automatically.
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Azure Hybrid Benefit helps you maximize the value of your current licensing investments and accelerate your migration to the cloud. Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server is an Azure-based benefit that enables you to use your SQL Server licenses with active Microsoft Software Assurance to pay a reduced rate ("base rate") on vCore-based Azure SQL services. Further optimize your costs with centralized management of your Azure Hybrid Benefit across your entire subscription or billing account.
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No. Azure SQL Database is a fully managed database service—Microsoft operates SQL Server for you and ensures its availability and performance. SQL Database also includes features to enhance your business continuity and security, such as built-in high availability and threat detection, so that you don't have to worry about administering or maintaining your SQL Server databases.
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The vCore-based service tiers are primarily differentiated by availability, storage type, and input/output (I/O) per second. General purpose is a budget-oriented option that's best when input/output performance or failover time is not the priority. Hyperscale is optimized for online transaction processing (OLTP) and hybrid transactional analytical workloads. The business critical tier is best for OLTP applications with high transaction rates and low I/O latency requirements.
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Connectivity between Azure SQL Database and the Azure internet gateway is guaranteed at least 99.99 percent of the time, regardless of your service tier. The remaining 0.01 percent is reserved for patches, upgrades, and failovers. For more information, read the SLA and learn about the high-availability architecture.
Ready when you are—let's set up your Azure free account
Try SQL Database free1Savings based on eight vCore Managed Instance Business Critical in East US Region, running 730 hours per month. Savings are calculated from full price (license included) against base rate (applying Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server), which excludes Software Assurance cost for SQL Server Enterprise edition, which may vary based on Enterprise Agreement. Actual savings may vary based on region, instance size, and performance tier. Prices as of June 2022, subject to change.
2Savings based on eight vCore SQL Database Business Critical in West US 2 region, running 730 hours per month. Savings are calculated from on-demand full price (license included) against base rate with Azure Hybrid Benefit plus three-year reserved capacity commitment. Savings excludes Software Assurance cost for SQL Server Enterprise edition, which may vary based on Enterprise Agreement. Actual savings may vary based on region, instance size, and performance tier. Prices as of June 2022, subject to change.