[Home](https://www.selecthub.com/) \> [Relational Databases](https://www.selecthub.com/c/relational-database-solutions/) \> [SQL Server](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/sql-server/) \> SQL Server vs Amazon Aurora # SQL Server vs Amazon Aurora Last Updated: May 4th, 2026 Our analysts compared [SQL Server](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/sql-server/) vs [Amazon Aurora](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/amazon-aurora/) based on data from our 400+ point analysis of [Relational Databases](https://www.selecthub.com/c/relational-database-solutions/), user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our [free software selection platform](https://www.selecthub.com/about/start-free-selection-project-site/?category=Relational Databases&cta=relational-database-solutions). [Overview](#product-overview) [Pricing](#product-pricing) [Our Review](#product-analyst-summary) [User Ratings](#user-sentiment-section) [Features](#product-benefits-features) [Analyst Ratings](#analyst-rating-section) [Comparison Charts](#product-comparison-charts) [Screenshots](#product-screenshots) Remove Add to Compare [![SQL Server Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/a666587afda6e89aec274a3657558a27-8759bcb7bc50f5bc4ab9ba5877a2585f/resources/normal/logo.png?1693316169)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/sql-server/) [ ![Product Awards](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/awards_badge.svg) ](#awards-section) Remove Add to Compare [![Amazon Aurora Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/35717dde349c0e37db826b95ca6c44fd-71902312f609b45b47ee32eda17da132/resources/normal/logo.png?1729563979)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/amazon-aurora/) [ ![Product Awards](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/awards_badge.svg) ](#awards-section) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Relational+Databases&product%5Fname=SQL%2BServer&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fa666587afda6e89aec274a3657558a27-8759bcb7bc50f5bc4ab9ba5877a2585f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1693316169) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Relational+Databases&product%5Fname=SQL%2BServer&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fa666587afda6e89aec274a3657558a27-8759bcb7bc50f5bc4ab9ba5877a2585f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1693316169) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Relational+Databases&product%5Fname=SQL%2BServer&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fa666587afda6e89aec274a3657558a27-8759bcb7bc50f5bc4ab9ba5877a2585f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1693316169&price=5) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Relational+Databases&product%5Fname=SQL%2BServer&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fa666587afda6e89aec274a3657558a27-8759bcb7bc50f5bc4ab9ba5877a2585f%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1693316169&price=5) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Relational+Databases&product%5Fname=Amazon%2BAurora&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F35717dde349c0e37db826b95ca6c44fd-71902312f609b45b47ee32eda17da132%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1729563979) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=Relational+Databases&product%5Fname=Amazon%2BAurora&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F35717dde349c0e37db826b95ca6c44fd-71902312f609b45b47ee32eda17da132%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1729563979) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Relational+Databases&product%5Fname=Amazon%2BAurora&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F35717dde349c0e37db826b95ca6c44fd-71902312f609b45b47ee32eda17da132%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1729563979&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=Relational+Databases&product%5Fname=Amazon%2BAurora&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F35717dde349c0e37db826b95ca6c44fd-71902312f609b45b47ee32eda17da132%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1729563979&price=1) ### Products Insights Overall Rating Comparison [ Analyst Rating 81 Detailed Analysis ](#analyst-rating-section) [ User Sentiment ![Great User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/great.svg) (7780 Reviews) ](#user-sentiment-section) [ Analyst Rating 79 Detailed Analysis ](#analyst-rating-section) [ User Sentiment ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) (668 Reviews) ](#user-sentiment-section) Price Starts From $1,418 Annually [ Free Trial is available →](https://pmo.selecthub.com/free-trial/?product%5Fname=SQL Server&category=Relational Databases&product%5Flogo=https://d3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net/products/a666587afda6e89aec274a3657558a27-8759bcb7bc50f5bc4ab9ba5877a2585f/resources/normal/logo.png?1693316169) $0.06/ACU Hour, Usage-Based Free Trial is unavailable → Pros What we like about SQL Server and Amazon Aurora: **Reliability and Performance:** Users consistently praise SQL Server's stability, speed, and ability to handle large, complex workloads with minimal downtime. **Security:** SQL Server offers robust security features, including multi-layered encryption, access controls, and active threat detection, to safeguard sensitive data. **Scalability:** Users appreciate the ability to easily scale SQL Server to meet evolving data needs without compromising performance or incurring significant costs. **Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem:** Seamless integration with other Microsoft tools and services, such as Azure cloud services and Power BI, enhances productivity and data management capabilities. **High Performance:** Amazon Aurora is recognized for its speed, often surpassing traditional database speeds. It's been noted to achieve up to five times the speed of standard MySQL databases and three times that of PostgreSQL. **Scalability for Demanding Applications:** Aurora's automatic scaling feature allows it to adjust to sudden increases in traffic, ensuring smooth operation during peak periods without service interruptions. **Reliability and Ease of Management:** Aurora simplifies database management tasks, freeing up businesses to focus on other priorities. Its reliability and ease of use make it a popular choice for businesses seeking a dependable database solution. Cons What we dislike about SQL Server and Amazon Aurora: **Licensing Cost:** Can be expensive for large deployments, especially with Enterprise editions and complex licensing requirements. **Complexity:** Managing and maintaining SQL Server, particularly in large environments, can require specialized skills and expertise. **Limited Cloud Flexibility:** While Azure SQL Managed Instance offers managed cloud services, on-premises deployments might require additional effort for cloud migration and management. **Vendor Lock-in:** Switching from SQL Server to other database systems can be complex due to its proprietary nature and T-SQL language. **Pricing Complexity:** Deciphering the pricing structure can be a challenge for some users, potentially leading to unexpected costs. **Limited Shutdown Capability:** Unlike some traditional database systems, Aurora doesn't offer a straightforward shutdown option, potentially impacting cost optimization in certain scenarios. **Potential for Legacy Bugs:** Due to its close relationship with MySQL, Aurora may inherit pre-existing bugs from MySQL, even those already addressed in newer MySQL versions. ### Our Review SQL Server continues to be a popular choice for database management, with user reviews highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. Reliability and performance remain key selling points. Users praise its stability, speed, and ability to handle demanding workloads, making it a trusted choice for mission-critical applications. However, licensing costs can be a significant barrier, especially for larger deployments compared to open-source alternatives like PostgreSQL. Security is another forte, with users appreciating its multi-layered approach to protecting sensitive data. However, its complexity can be daunting, requiring specialized skills for administration and maintenance, particularly in larger environments. While Azure SQL Managed Instance offers managed cloud services, some users find on-premises deployments less flexible for cloud migration. Users acknowledge its rich set of tools and features, including SSMS, SSDT, and SSRS, for efficient database management, development, and analysis. Yet, they recognize vendor lock-in as a potential drawback, as switching to other systems can be challenging due to its proprietary nature and T-SQL language. Overall, SQL Server's reliability, performance, and security are highly valued. However, its cost, complexity, and limited cloud flexibility are common concerns. Users compare it favorably to PostgreSQL for affordability and open-source nature, while acknowledging its less mature feature set. Oracle Database is seen as a competitor for large-scale enterprise deployments, but users note its even higher cost and complexity. Ultimately, the choice comes down to specific needs and priorities. For users prioritizing reliability, security, and integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, SQL Server remains a compelling option. However, those seeking flexibility, lower costs, or open-source options might find PostgreSQL or other alternatives more attractive. Show more Is Amazon Aurora the northern lights of relational databases, illuminating a path toward data management excellence? User reviews from the past year suggest a resounding "yes," with Aurora shining brightly in the areas of performance, scalability, and managed services. Users rave about Aurora's ability to effortlessly handle demanding workloads, making it a top contender for businesses dealing with high-volume transactions. For instance, one user highlighted Aurora's exceptional performance, emphasizing its ability to process large datasets quickly, a crucial factor for their data analytics needs. This seamless scalability, coupled with its fully managed nature, frees up developers to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management, a sentiment echoed by multiple users. However, like a constellation with a few dim stars, Aurora has some minor drawbacks. Some users point out the pricing complexity as a slight blemish on an otherwise stellar profile. Navigating the intricacies of Aurora's pricing model can be like trying to chart a course through an unfamiliar galaxy, requiring careful consideration and potentially leading to higher-than-expected costs if not managed diligently. Despite this, the overwhelming consensus is that Aurora's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Aurora's compatibility with MySQL and PostgreSQL, its automated scaling and backup features, and its high availability make it a compelling choice for businesses of all sizes. Its ability to seamlessly integrate with other AWS services further solidifies its position as a comprehensive data management solution. In essence, Amazon Aurora is best suited for organizations seeking a robust, scalable, and high-performance relational database solution, particularly those already immersed in the AWS ecosystem. While the pricing structure might require some getting used to, the overall value proposition of Aurora makes it a shining star in the world of cloud-based databases. Show more ### Analyst Rating Summary Overall Scores Based on the research and analysis by SelectHub's team of research analysts, SQL Server has an analyst rating of 81\. By comparison Amazon Aurora has an analyst rating of 79. 81 79 Features Comparison **Data Definition and Manipulation** Provides a structured framework for defining, storing, and manipulating data, enabling efficient data organization and retrieval. 100 100 **Data Integration and Interoperability** Facilitates seamless data integration and interoperability with other systems and applications, enabling efficient data sharing and analysis. 93 83 **Data Management and Partitioning** Offers efficient data management and partitioning capabilities, optimizing database performance and scalability for large-scale data storage and retrieval. 86 89 [Show More](#) [Show More](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Relational Databases) Strengths The best features of SQL Server and Amazon Aurora as judged by user reviews and analyst validation. Data Definition and Manipulation Querying Transaction Management Integrations and Extensibility Data Integration and Interoperability Data Definition and Manipulation Performance and Scalability Integrations and Extensibility Querying Transaction Management ### Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements [Customize This Data](#) [Customize This Data](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Relational Databases) How SQL Server and Amazon Aurora compare against the top 6 functional requirements as defined by SelectHub project data. SQL Server Amazon Aurora \+ Add Product [\+ Add Product](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Relational Databases) Data Definition and Manipulation Data Integration AndInteroperability Data Management AndPartitioning Platform Capabilities Querying TransactionManagement 100 93 86 93 100 100 100 83 89 90 94 93 0 25 50 75 100 Implementation Level of Effort Estimation **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. [Read more](#) **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. **Data Definition And Manipulation** Provides a structured framework for defining, storing, and manipulating data, enabling efficient data organization and retrieval. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Data Integration And Interoperability** Facilitates seamless data integration and interoperability with other systems and applications, enabling efficient data sharing and analysis. 100% 0% 0% 75% 25% 0% **Data Management And Partitioning** Offers efficient data management and partitioning capabilities, optimizing database performance and scalability for large-scale data storage and retrieval. 75% 25% 0% 75% 25% 0% **Platform Capabilities** Offers cross-platform compatibility, enabling organizations to deploy and manage databases across various operating systems and hardware platforms. 83% 17% 0% 83% 17% 0% **Querying** Provides powerful query languages, enabling users to retrieve, analyze, and manipulate data efficiently, supporting informed decision-making and business intelligence. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Transaction Management** Ensures data consistency and integrity through robust transaction management, preventing data loss and ensuring accurate data processing. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Customize This Data For Your Unique Needs** and compare feature capabilities head-to-head [CUSTOMIZE NOW](#) [CUSTOMIZE NOW](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Relational Databases) ### Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements [Customize This Data](#) [Customize This Data](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=Relational Databases) Implementation Level of Effort Estimation **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. [Read more](#) **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. **Integrations And Extensibility** Seamlessly integrates with other applications and data sources, enabling organizations to build complex data solutions and leverage the power of data-driven insights. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Performance And Scalability** Offers robust performance and scalability, enabling organizations to handle large datasets and complex queries efficiently, supporting business growth and critical applications. 60% 40% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Security** Prioritizes data security, safeguarding sensitive information through robust encryption, access controls, and data privacy measures. 88% 0% 12% 75% 13% 12% **Requirements Summary** Of typical requirements, 79.6% are fully supported out of the box by SQL Server including Data Definition And Manipulation, Querying and Transaction Management. Amazon Aurora supports 61.2% and excels at Data Definition And Manipulation, Performance And Scalability and Integrations And Extensibility. SQL Server has an analyst rating of 81 and a user sentiment rating of 'great' based on 7780 reviews, while Amazon Aurora has an analyst rating of 79 and a user sentiment rating of 'excellent' based on 668 reviews. ### User Sentiment Summary SQL Server has a user sentiment rating of 89 based on 7780 reviews. Amazon Aurora has a user sentiment rating of 90 based on 668 reviews. ![Great User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/great.svg) 7780 reviews ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) 668 reviews Synopsis Evaluating all review platforms, our market analysts have compiled the following user sentiment data. 89% of users recommend this product SQL Server has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 89% when considering 7780 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites. 90% of users recommend this product Amazon Aurora has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 668 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites. User Review Scores **G2.com, Inc** **4.4** (2221) **4.5** (492) **Software Advice, Inc** n/a **4.6** (16) **Capterra Inc** **4.6** (1980) n/a **Gartner, Inc** **4.4** (1929) n/a **TrustRadius** **4.3** (1650) **4.4** (160) ### Awards SelectHub awards earned by these products based on a comprehensive analysis by our research analysts. SelectHub research analysts have evaluated SQL Server and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Querying. ![Querying Award]() SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Amazon Aurora and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Performance and Scalability. Amazon Aurora stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite. ![User Favorite Award]() ![Performance and Scalability Award]() ### Product Assistance Training Resources Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Knowledge Base 24/7 Live Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Knowledge Base 24/7 Live Support ### Product Basics Company Size i Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Deployment Supported Cloud On-Premise Mobile Cloud On-Premise Mobile Comparison of Top Alternatives [ SQL Server Alternatives](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server/alternatives/) [ Amazon Aurora Alternatives](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/amazon-aurora/alternatives/) ### Screenshots ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ![Screenshots]() ### Key Features * **Advanced Security:** SQL Server offers robust security features such as Always Encrypted, which protects sensitive data by encrypting it both at rest and in transit. * **High Availability:** Features like Always On Availability Groups provide enterprise-level solutions for high availability and disaster recovery. * **In-Memory Processing:** The In-Memory OLTP engine allows for significant performance improvements by storing data in memory-optimized tables. * **Data Compression:** SQL Server supports row and page compression, reducing storage costs and improving I/O performance. * **Integration Services:** SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) enables complex data integration and workflow applications. read more... * **High Performance:** Amazon Aurora offers up to five times the throughput of standard MySQL databases and three times that of standard PostgreSQL databases, making it ideal for high-demand applications. * **Scalability:** It automatically scales storage from 10 GB up to 128 TB, allowing for seamless growth without manual intervention. * **Fault-Tolerant and Self-Healing:** Aurora replicates data across multiple Availability Zones and continuously backs up data to Amazon S3, ensuring high availability and durability. * **Global Database:** This feature allows for the deployment of a single Aurora database across multiple AWS regions, providing low-latency global reads and disaster recovery capabilities. * **Serverless Option:** Aurora Serverless automatically adjusts capacity based on application needs, offering a cost-effective solution for variable workloads. read more... ### Top Alternatives in Relational Databases [ Amazon Aurora ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/amazon-aurora/) [ Amazon RDS ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/amazon-rds/) [ Azure SQL Database ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/azure-sql-database/) [ Firebird ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/firebird-database/) [ Google Cloud SQL ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/google-cloud-sql/) [ HSQLDB ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/hsqldb/) [ IBM DB2 ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/ibm-db2/) [ MariaDB ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/mariadb/) [ MySQL ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/mysql/) [ Oracle Database ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/relational-database-solutions/oracle-database/) ### Head-to-Head Comparison ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![Amazon Aurora Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS Amazon Aurora](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-amazon-aurora/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![Amazon RDS Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS Amazon RDS](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-amazon-rds/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![Azure SQL Database Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS Azure SQL Database](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-azure-sql-database/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![Firebird Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS Firebird](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-firebird-database/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![Google Cloud SQL Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS Google Cloud SQL](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-google-cloud-sql/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![HSQLDB Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS HSQLDB](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-hsqldb/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![IBM DB2 Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS IBM DB2](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-ibm-db2/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![MariaDB Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS MariaDB](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-mariadb/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![MySQL Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS MySQL](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/mysql-vs-sql-server/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![Oracle Database Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS Oracle Database](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-oracle-database/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![PostgreSQL Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS PostgreSQL](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/postgresql-vs-sql-server/) ![SQL Server Software Tool]() ![SAP ASE Software Tool]() [SQL Server VS SAP ASE](https://www.selecthub.com/relational-database-solutions/sql-server-vs-sap-ase/) **About SelectHub (and our data)** We’re the employee-owned Austin-based startup democratizing software data so you can make your decisions in an influence-free zone. Our market data is crowdsourced from our user-base of 100,000+ companies. WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more... ![SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics]() [ Build Your Requirements](https://pmo.selecthub.com/software-requirements/?category=Relational%20Databases&campaign%5Fname=Relational%20Databases%20Requirements) ![SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide]() [ Get Your Free Comparison Report](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard/?category=Relational%20Databases) **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. 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