SQL Server Licensing Calculator
The same database, four honest price tags: your own server (per-core or Server+CAL), an Azure VM with Hybrid Benefit, AWS with the license included, and Azure SQL as a managed service. Microsoft license prices are live; cloud compute is an editable assumption you replace with your real quote.
01 Workload
Cores you need to license (per-core minimum of 4 applies; also used as vCores for the cloud options).
02 Server + CAL alternative
Standard edition only: a cheaper model when a small, countable set of users or devices touches the database.
03 Cloud assumptions
Sample rates — replace them with your real Azure/AWS quote. License prices stay live either way.
| Where SQL Server runs | Year 1 | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|
| Your server · per-core perpetual · cheapest 3-yr | $15,776 | $15,776 |
| Your server · per-core subscription · cheapest Y1 | $7,452 | $18,716 |
| Your server · Server + CAL (Standard) | — | — |
| Azure VM · Hybrid Benefit (BYO license) * | $11,652 | $31,316 |
| AWS (RDS/EC2) · License Included * | $13,800 | $41,400 |
| Azure SQL (vCore) · pay-as-you-go * | $35,040 | $105,120 |
| Azure SQL (vCore) · with Hybrid Benefit * | $24,972 | $71,276 |
Your server · per-core perpetual — 4 × 2-core packs, one-time. You own the license outright. Hardware, HA, and ops are yours; no SA included via CSP perpetual.
Your server · per-core subscription — 4 × 2-core packs, 1-yr (3-yr term for the 3-year figure). Subscription includes the right to run current versions while active — and it's the license AHB accepts in Azure.
Your server · Server + CAL (Standard) — 1 server license + a CAL per user/device. Enter user/device counts in section 02 to price this model — every human or device touching SQL needs a CAL.
Azure VM · Hybrid Benefit (BYO license) — 4 × 2-core subscription + your Azure compute. Year 1 splits $7,452 license + $4,200 infrastructure. AHB waives the SQL license inside the VM rate — you bring this subscription license and pay compute only.
AWS (RDS/EC2) · License Included — SQL license bundled into the AWS rate. License rides the AWS bill (no CSP license needed). BYOL on AWS requires License Mobility through Software Assurance — ask us before assuming it.
Azure SQL (vCore) · pay-as-you-go — 8 vCores × 730 h/mo, license included. Fully managed PaaS — HA, patching, and backups included; that value isn't in the other rows' prices.
Azure SQL (vCore) · with Hybrid Benefit — 8 vCores at the base rate + 4 × 2-core subscription. Year 1 splits $7,452 license + $17,520 infrastructure. Base compute rate + your CSP subscription license via AHB — usually beats PAYG when the DB runs 24/7.
What makes SQL Server pricing tricky.
Per-core licensing has a 4-core minimum per server or VM — even a 2-vCore VM buys 4 core licenses (2 packs).
Server + CAL exists for Standard only: one server license plus a CAL for every user or device that touches the database — great for small, countable audiences, unusable for public web apps.
Azure Hybrid Benefit lets a subscription license (or SA-covered license) pay only Azure’s base compute rate — the SQL license portion is waived. CSP subscription licenses qualify.
On AWS, license-included is the default; bringing your own license requires License Mobility through Software Assurance — confirm eligibility before assuming it.
Azure SQL includes what the other rows don’t: managed HA, patching, and backups. A fair comparison prices your ops time too.
SQL licensing is where audits find money.
Thirty minutes with our engineers and you’ll know exactly which of the four columns is yours — and what it costs. Fixed price, pay after approval.