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Microsoft SQL Server vs Dgraph Comparison

Last updated:

Microsoft SQL Server

4.5(780 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Microsoft SQL Server is the powerful relational database engine that provides fast, reliable access to data for running business, Web and line-of-business applications. SQL Server helps protect and grow investment in exi…

Dgraph

4.7(22 reviews)

Starting at $39.99 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Dgraph is a powerful graph database that simplifies the process of creating a GraphQL backend for your applications. With Dgraph, you can easily connect and manage all of your data in one place without writing any code.…

Dgraph leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 22 reviews.

Microsoft SQL Server vs Dgraph — at a glance

FeatureMicrosoft SQL ServerDgraph
Rating4.5 / 54.7 / 5
Reviews78022
Starting priceContact for pricing$39.99 /Month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryDatabase Management SoftwareDatabase Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Online24/7 (Live rep), Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001—
Data residencyUS—

Key differences between Microsoft SQL Server and Dgraph

  • Pricing: Dgraph starts at $39.99 /Month. Microsoft SQL Server pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Target audience: Microsoft SQL Server is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Dgraph targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Dgraph scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
  • Deployment: Microsoft SQL Server supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Dgraph supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Microsoft SQL Server vs Dgraph — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Database Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Microsoft SQL Server - Database Management Software
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Dgraph - Graph Database
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Microsoft SQL Server vs Dgraph: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Microsoft SQL Server

Best for robust, secure database management within Microsoft-centric environments.

Choose if
  • You need strong integration with Microsoft tools like Azure and Power BI.
  • Your organization handles large, complex databases requiring high performance and security.
  • Your team includes database administrators or BI developers familiar with Microsoft ecosystems.
Consider alternatives if
  • You have a tight budget and cannot accommodate higher licensing costs.
  • Your infrastructure relies heavily on non-Microsoft platforms such as Linux.

Dgraph

Best for scalable, real-time GraphQL-backed graph database applications.

Choose if
  • You need a graph database with built-in GraphQL support for API development.
  • Your applications require handling complex data relationships with low-latency queries.
  • You have backend developers or data engineers comfortable with medium complexity self-hosting.
Consider alternatives if
  • You prefer fully managed, cloud-hosted graph database services without self-hosting.
  • You require extensive third-party marketplace extensions and connectors out of the box.

Microsoft SQL Server: Best for robust, secure database management within Microsoft-centric environments. Dgraph: Best for scalable, real-time GraphQL-backed graph database applications.

Description

Microsoft SQL Server is the powerful relational database engine that provides fast, reliable access to data for running business, Web and line-of-business applications. SQL Server helps ... Read More about Microsoft SQL Server

Dgraph is a powerful graph database that simplifies the process of creating a GraphQL backend for your applications. With Dgraph, you can easily connect and manage all of your data in one ... Read More about Dgraph

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $39.99

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.4/10

Not Available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.48

(780)

4.73

(22)

Best Company Size

50 to 500 employees501 to 10,000 employees
Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Microsoft SQL Server

  • Reliable Performance: Microsoft SQL Server's advanced query optimization and in-memory technology let organizations handle large volumes of transactions smoothly, keeping your data-driven applications running efficiently.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, SQL Server adapts to your growth. It supports everything from basic workloads to complex, high-demand environments, making it a great fit for diverse operational needs.
  • Security Features: SQL Server includes built-in encryption and threat detection. These features protect your sensitive data against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Dgraph

No key benefits available yet.

Best fit

Best fit

Microsoft SQL Server

  • 50 to 10,000 employees
  • Fintech, Healthcare, Retail, Education, and SaaS
  • Database Administrators, Data Analysts, Business Intelligence Developers, and IT Managers

Dgraph

No best-fit guidance available yet.

Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Microsoft SQL Server

  • Licensing costs exceed budgets for small to mid-sized teams — open-source alternatives like PostgreSQL or MySQL offer lower total cost of ownership
  • Cloud-native deployments require managed services (AWS RDS, Azure Database) that SQL Server doesn't match without additional infrastructure investment
  • Missing specialized features like real-time streaming (Kafka integration) or advanced ML analytics force teams to layer separate tools

Dgraph

No alternatives guidance available yet.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Microsoft SQL Server and Dgraph Compare on Features?

Total Features

9 Features

5 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Microsoft SQL Server and Dgraph on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $39.99

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Microsoft SQL Server pricing
      Dgraph pricing

      Microsoft SQL Server vs Dgraph: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Freelancers
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Freelancers
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Mac
      • Installed - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Mac
      • Installed - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Microsoft SQL Server vs Dgraph Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      —

      HIPAA

      ✓ Yes
      —

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      —

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      —

      Microsoft SQL Server User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      568

      209

      24

      1

      2

      18

      4

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights SQL Server's robust performance, scalability, and security, tempered by concerns over cost and platform compatibility.

      What buyers like

      • Performance
      • Integration with Microsoft tools
      • Security features

      Common complaints

      • Licensing cost
      • Platform compatibility

      Buyer sentiment

      Users consistently praise Dgraph for its scalability, speed, ease of use, and excellent GraphQL integration, while noting some setup complexity and limited extension options.

      What buyers like

      • Scalability
      • GraphQL integration
      • Performance and reliability

      Common complaints

      • Self-hosting setup complexity
      • Limited marketplace extensions

      Pros and Cons

      • Robust performance handling large and complex databases efficiently

      • Seamless integration with Microsoft tools and services

      • Enhanced security features including encryption and threat detection

      • Higher licensing costs can be a barrier for some users

      • Limited compatibility with non-Microsoft operating systems

      • Highly scalable with low latency suitable for real-time workloads

      • Built-in GraphQL support simplifies querying and schema management

      • Fast, stable, and reliable performance for complex queries

      • Self-hosting setup can be challenging for some users

      • Limited marketplace extensions and connectors available

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Microsoft SQL Server or Dgraph? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Microsoft SQL Server and Dgraph Customers

      Customers

      Rolls Royce

      Rolls Royce

      Dell

      Dell

      Factset

      Factset

      Drafted

      Drafted

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Launch backend

      2 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server and Dgraph in 2026

      Alternatives

      Expand your comparison

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Microsoft SQL Server or Dgraph?
      Dgraph edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Microsoft SQL Server and Dgraph offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Microsoft SQL Server and Dgraph offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Microsoft SQL Server vs Dgraph?
      Microsoft SQL Server starts at Contact for pricing. Dgraph starts at $39.99 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server?
      Top alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server include MariaDB, CrateDB, MongoDB, HarperDB Cloud, ScaleGrid.
      What are the top alternatives to Dgraph?
      Top alternatives to Dgraph include PopSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, DbVisualizer, Oracle SQL Developer.