We performed a comparison between MYSQL and SQL Server based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.
Comparison Results: SQL Server comes out ahead in this comparison because it is less demanding on resources and can more easily be integrated with other solutions. Some users feel that MySQL requires more maintenance and can be a bit buggy and less stable than SQL Server.
"What I've been most pleased with is the cost point, performance, and ease of use."
"The speed is very good."
"It is easy to use."
"The initial setup is easy."
"However, it is easy to scale MySQL using the functions provided with the product."
"Apart from the features that are in the enterprise part, we find the database to be valuable. The connectors and the backup features are valuable as well. We use the basic database. We don't really use the extra features. Our clients like the security features in the database."
"Fully scalable and stable SQL-based RDBMS, with a straightforward and easy setup."
"I like the simplistic view of MySQL to build custom queries and things like that as compared to SQL Server, which seems more cluttered. SQL Server has a query analyzer. MySQL pretty much does the same, and performance-wise, it has less overhead for connecting to our ERP system. It seems more responsive and cleaner. With MySQL, you get what you need without any overbloating, for which Microsoft is known. That's why they have so many constant security patches for everything because there is so much stuff, which degrades performance."
"The scalability is very good."
"The solution is easy to use and provides similar features to other competitors."
"The solution can be used for a host of applications."
"It is integrated with Microsoft tools."
"The installation is pretty straightforward."
"For my business requirements, the performance is good."
"The ease of administration, in general, is the solution's most valuable aspect."
"The fact that SQL Server fully integrates within the entire Microsoft ecosystem is a plus."
"Could use some additional JSON query support in the solution."
"Scalability could be improved."
"I would like to have the ability to cancel a query in SQL Developer."
"MySQL's performance requires attention. For optimal performance, one should review and sometimes revise the code, particularly when using server-side scripting."
"The GUI could improve to make MySQL better."
"The solution could be more secure."
"While utilizing a comparable algorithm, is noted to be sensitive, especially when configuring the inner device."
"As an open-source product, there isn't really any technical support available if you get into trouble or have issues."
"The reporting services of the solution (SSRS and now Power BI) are the less valuable items of the SQL Server suite."
"SQL could be improved by making all features available on the on-premise version of the product as well as the cloud version. When you buy the on-premise version, it's sort of an inferior product compared to the cloud version, which seems to get most of the latest and greatest features."
"It may be a licensing issue, but sometimes its operating speed becomes slow if we have multiple users. It's lacking some performance, but it's acceptable because we have a heavy load."
"On the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) side, I have noticed more bugs in terms of being able to connect to our SQL servers. I can't tell how many times my recent server list got dropped or cleaned out. It is a pain, and it would be nice to have that recent connect list when you connect in. For whatever reason, once in a while, I get a hard error, and it'll close. When I go back in, everything is cleared out. It is annoying when you are working with more than a hundred database instances."
"Performance could be improved."
"When we run into problems, it's usually during installation, and finding answers to the problem has been a nightmare because the documentation is terrible."
"I would like to see the performance improved. Migrating should be easier and the scalability needs improvement."
"The solution could use better governance on the management side, especially around data governance."
MySQL is ranked 4th in Relational Databases Tools with 142 reviews while SQL Server is ranked 1st in Relational Databases Tools with 260 reviews. MySQL is rated 8.2, while SQL Server is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of MySQL writes "Good beginner base but it should have better support for backups". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SQL Server writes "Easy to use and provides good speed and data recovery". MySQL is most compared with Firebird SQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Teradata and Oracle Database, whereas SQL Server is most compared with MariaDB, SAP HANA, Oracle Database, LocalDB and Vertica. See our MySQL vs. SQL Server report.
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We monitor all Relational Databases Tools reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.