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What is the difference between SQL Server and SQL Database?

  • March 30, 2026 at 3:46 am

    #4757431

    I created a SQL Database in Azure Portal but I've just noticed it also created SQL Server. Do I need both? The reason I'm asking is because I'm being charged for SQL Server.

     

     

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  • March 30, 2026 at 9:02 am

    #4757534

    You can have different kinds of SQL Server in Azure ( forum doesn't like links anymore, you can look up the different flavors)

    Azure SQL Database (SAAS): no extra sql server billed

    Azure SQL Managed instance: haven't used it

    SQL Server running in a VM in Azure (PAAS): certainly get billed for the sql server license (unless you have one "migrated"

  • March 31, 2026 at 12:46 pm

    #4759078

    When you create an Azure SQL Database, you also get a "server." However, it's not a server like if you were running on hardware or a VM. It's simply a management tool for setting up permissions and other stuff like that. It uses the name "server" but it very much is not. You can place more than one database within that "server" though, but remember, you're doing it because of security management, etc., not because it's literally a container for the databases like a server running on a VM.

    Hope that helps.

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