SQL Server vs SingleStore comparison

The SingleStore platform combines transactional, analytical, and vector data workloads in a real-time, unified, distributed SQL database that is MySQL and MongoDB wire protocol-compatible. SingleStore also combines the capabilities of traditional databases with the scalability of the cloud, making it suitable for a range of data-driven applications.

SingleStore provides a unified platform that supports both transactional and analytical workloads, enabling real-time data processing and analysis. It is optimized for speed, offering low-latency data access and high throughput. The platform's distributed architecture allows it to scale horizontally, handling large volumes of data across multiple nodes. Additionally, it supports SQL, making it accessible for users familiar with standard query languages.

Key features of SingleStore include real-time data ingestion, which allows for the immediate processing of incoming data, and a fully distributed SQL execution engine that enhances performance. The platform also offers in-memory rowstore and disk-based columnstore, providing flexibility in data storage and retrieval methods. Furthermore, SingleStore ensures high availability and disaster recovery with its multi-cloud, multi-region deployment options.

When evaluating SingleStore, you should consider its ability to reduce query response times significantly, improve operational efficiencies with real-time analytics, and lower infrastructure costs through efficient resource utilization. Additionally, the platform's support for mixed workloads enables businesses to streamline their data operations, reducing the need for multiple specialized databases.

SingleStore is implemented across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and retail. In finance, it helps with real-time risk analysis and fraud detection. In healthcare, it supports advanced analytics for patient data management. Retailers use SingleStore to optimize supply chain operations and personalize customer experiences through real-time data insights.

Pricing for SingleStore is based on a subscription model, with costs determined by the resources allocated and the level of support required. It offers flexible licensing options to accommodate different business needs. SingleStore's customer support is known for its responsiveness and expertise, providing users with the necessary assistance to maximize the platform's potential.

In summary, SingleStore offers a versatile and efficient cloud database solution suitable for handling diverse data workloads with high performance and scalability.

SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) by Microsoft. The product's main purposes are to store data and retrieve it as requested by other software applications - on the same computer or on another computer across a shared network. The solution is built on top of Structured Query Language (SQL), which is a standardized programming language used for relational database management.

The product is tied to Transact-SQL (T-SQL), which is an implementation of SQL from Microsoft that adds several proprietary programming extensions to the standard language. SQL Server is built similarly to other RDBMS products, as its structure is a row-based table that connects related data elements in different tables to one another. One of its most important components is the SQL Server Database Engine, as it controls data processing, storage, and security. Beneath the Database Engine is the SQL Server Operating System, which is used for memory and I/O management, locking data to avoid unneeded upgrades, and job scheduling.

The solution has four editions with different sets of services and tools. They include:

• SQL Server Developer
• SQL Server Expression
• SQL Server Standard 
• SQL Server Enterprise

The first two are available for free and are typically utilized by smaller companies, as they work with fewer functions and storage. The second two editions are generally used by bigger organizations and enterprises and offer more features.

The solution has several functions through which users can facilitate different data-related processes. These include:

• Aggregate functions: These functions are used to calculate one or more values and return a single value.
  
  
• Window functions: Window functions calculate an aggregate value based on a group of rows and return multiple rows for each involved group.
  
  
• Date functions: These functions allow clients to handle data and time data efficiently.
  
  
• String functions: Through the string functions, SQL Server processes an input string and returns a string or numeric value.
  
  
• System functions: The system functions of the product return objects, values, and settings.

SQL Server Services

SQL Server has a wide range of add-on services that provide additional benefits beyond database management. These services include:

• Machine learning: SQL Server machine learning services allow users to do machine learning and data analytics within the product.
   
• Service broker: This feature is a part of the database engine and offers messaging and message queuing for applications on the platform.
  
  
• Replication: This feature consists of transaction replication, merge replication, and snapshot replication. 
  
  
• Analysis: SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) adds online analytical processing (OLAP) and data mining capabilities to SQL Server databases.
  
  
• Reporting: This feature supports the development of custom reporting applications.
  
  
• Notifications: This feature generates data-driven notifications which are sent to subscribers of Notification Services.
  
  
• Integration: This SQL Server feature provides capabilities for data integration, data import, and data warehousing.
  
  
• Full-text search: Through this feature, users can utilize specialized indexing and query for unstructured text stored in the solution.
  
  
• Visual studio: This feature supports data programming with SQL Server.
  
  
• Azure Data Studio: This is a cross-platform query editor that can be downloaded and used alongside SQL Server.

SQL Server Benefits

The solution has many benefits for users. These include the following:

• The platform ensures a consistent experience across other platforms while being fast and agile.
  
  
• Through the built-in intelligence features, users can understand their data better.
  
  
• The solution has enterprise-level security, which ensures the smooth and safe performance of users' data.
  
  
• SQL Server offers the ability to retrieve large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
  
  
• The product installation process is fairly easy, and it offers a user-friendly interface.
  
  
• SQL Server offers improved data storage and retrieval functions through frequent upgrades.
  
  
• The solution reduces the risk of database server attacks, since it is not an open-source database.

Reviews from Real Users

A president at a consultancy evaluates SQL Server as a veteran solution with critical log shipping feature. 

Harkamal S., a user at a manufacturing company, rates SQL Server with a high mark because it is a stable, scalable, and easy-to-deploy solution that pretty much covers everything.