Choose the Right Edition for Your NeedsBusiness today demands a different kind of data management solution—one that offers excellent performance, scalability, and reliability, but is also easy to use and maintain. SQL Server 2008 delivers on this by providing a Trusted, Productive and Intelligent Data Platform that can solve your data management needs.
SQL Server 2008 is available in many editions to help meet the needs of your organization.
[table][tr][td][/td][td=2,1]Core Editions[/td][td=3,1]Specialized Editions[/td][td=2,1]Free Editions[/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][td]Enterprise[/td][td]Standard[/td][td]Workgroup[/td][td]Web[/td][td]Developer[/td][td]Express[/td][td]Compact 3.5[/td][/tr][tr][td]Target Scenarios[/td][td]Enterprise workloads that need redundancy and built-in Business Intelligence[/td][td]Shared data scenarios in departments and small to large businesses[/td][td]Remote offices that need local instances of company data[/td][td]For web application hosting [/td][td]Full featured edition for development and testing only[/td][td]Entry level database, ideal for learning and ISV redistribution[/td][td]Embedded database for developing desktop and mobile applications[/td][/tr][tr][td]CPU[/td][td]OS Maximum[/td][td]4 CPU[/td][td]2 CPU[/td][td]4 CPU[/td][td]OS Maximum[/td][td]1 CPU[/td][td]OS Maximum[/td][/tr][tr][td]Memory[/td][td]OS Maximum[/td][td]OS Maximum[/td][td]4 GB[/td][td]OS Maximum[/td][td]OS Maximum[/td][td]1 GB[/td][td]OS Maximum[/td][/tr][tr][td]DB Size[/td][td]Unlimited[/td][td]Unlimited[/td][td]Unlimited[/td][td]Unlimited[/td][td]Unlimited[/td][td]4 GB[/td][td]4 GB[/td][/tr][tr][td]Additional Resources[/td][td]Learn More[/td][td]Learn More[/td][td]Learn More[/td][td]Learn More[/td][td]Learn More[/td][td]Learn More[/td][td]Learn More[/td][/tr][tr][td]How to Buy[/td][td]Volume Licensing
Microsoft Store[/td][td]Volume Licensing
Microsoft Store[/td][td]Volume Licensing
Microsoft Store[/td][td]Volume Licensing[/td][td]Volume Licensing
Microsoft Store[/td][td]Download now![/td][td]Download now![/td][/tr][tr][td]Licensing[/td][td]Server/CAL
Per Proc[/td][td]Server/CAL
Per Proc[/td][td]Server/CAL
Per Proc[/td][td]Per Proc[/td][td]Developer Tools[/td][td=2,1]Free Editions[/td][/tr][tr][td]Pricing[/td][td=5,1]See our Pricing overview page for more details[/td][td=2,1]Free Editions[/td][/tr][/table]
Feature Comparison by EditionFor a comparison of the features available in each edition of SQL Server, please see here.
Core EditionsSQL Server 2008 Enterprise
SQL Server 2008 Enterprise is a comprehensive data platform that meets the high demands of enterprise online transaction processing and data warehousing applications. Learn More
SQL Server 2008 Standard
SQL Server 2008 Standard is a data management and business intelligence platform that provides best-in-class ease of use and manageability for running departmental applications. Learn More
Specialized EditionsSQL Server 2008 Workgroup
Run branch locations on this reliable data management and reporting platform that provides secure remote synchronization and management capabilities. Learn More
SQL Server 2008 Web
Offer low-cost, large scale highly available web applications or data hosting solutions with a highly available Internet facing web serving environments. Learn More
SQL Server 2008 Developer
A low cost edition of SQL Server 2008 Enterprise licensed per developer for development, testing, and demonstration purposes only. Not for production use. Learn More
Free EditionsSQL Server 2008 Express
Available as a free download, SQL Server 2008 Express is ideal for learning and building desktop and small server applications and for re-distribution by ISVs. Learn More | Download Now
SQL Server Compact 3.5
Available as a free download, SQL Server Compact enables developers to embed SQL Server directly into their applications, enabling occasionally connected and stand-alone applications for mobile devices, desktops, and Web clients across all Microsoft Windows platforms. Learn More | Download Now
Data ServicesSQL Data Services (BETA)
SQL Services is a suite of cloud-based SQL Server capabilities. The first of these capabilities is SQL Data Services which offers Internet-facing database and advanced query processing services for customers looking to build new applications or integrate with existing investments into the cloud—delivering flexibility, scale, and developer agility. Learn More
SQL Server also comes in a Small Business Edition for use in Small Business Environments. Click here to learn more.