SQL Server license pricing increases with the launch of Version 2022 • The Register

Microsoft made SQL Server 2022 generally available last week and this week began sharing price increases for the database.

The price increases were detailed on the software giant’s Partner Center announcement page, which saw a jump from $1,325.15 to $1,583.88 for a one-year standard SQL Server two-core license pack and a jump from $5,080.45 to $6,073.92 for an enterprise license package. These increases apply to the licenses sold through cloud service providers – Microsoft partners who sell and manage software licenses to end customers.

The price increases will start on January 1, 2023.

Software licensing consultancy Quexcel has also claimed that Microsoft will increase the price of on-prem SQL Server licenses by 10 percent or 8 percent for Microsoft service providers.

Quexcel’s figures almost match those in a Microsoft Watching Outlet report Redmond.

We asked Microsoft to explain in detail the price increases for SQL Server and to confirm if they apply to the database when rented in the Azure cloud. The registry understands that’s not the case – which means Microsoft has once again made it cheaper to access its software on its own cloud. It’s a tactic that has brought Microsoft the wrath of the European Union and ongoing antitrust investigations.

Microsoft has responded to these concerns by licensing virtual cores for Windows Server. However, Europe-based clouds believe the changes haven’t leveled the playing field — Microsoft still offers terms for its own software on Azure that rivals can’t match.

At least SQL Server 2022 buyers get more bang for their buck: the new version adds improved analytics, disaster recovery (to Azure, of course), the unified data management and administration service Purview, and installation improvements that make the database faster and more resilient make.

There is also a new PAYG billing model when you sign up for the Azure Arc multi-cloud application platform.

As if SQL Server users need further proof that Microsoft really wants them to get cloudy.

The registry has asked Microsoft to confirm and describe the full extent of the SQL Server price increases and will update this story when the company provides meaningful information. ®