Microsoft SQL Server has had the same licensing model since 2012, when the switch to core-based licenses took place, as well as the same pricing since 2008. However, at the beginning of November 2022, Microsoft released its new version, SQL Server 2022 and announced some new licensing options. Furthermore, starting January 2023, there will be a 10% raise to the per-core pricing.
New pricing for SQL Server 2022 with Microsoft Direct
- SQL Server 2019 Standard Core – 2 Core License Pack: From $3,586.00 to $3,944.00
- SQL Server 2019 Enterprise Core – 2 Core License Pack: From $13,748.00 to $15,122.80
*Note: Updated pricing for SQL through Venti Exchange will be available beginning January 1st, 2023; we will update this post accordingly.
Software Assurance (SA)
This increase will also impact the cost of Software Assurance, since it is a fixed 25% of your licensing cost. SA allows customers to upgrade their SQL Servers to newer versions, among other benefits such as optional Disaster Recovery (DR).
A New Benefit for SQL Server 2022
This new version of SQL Server includes the capability to use an Azure SQL Managed Instance for Disaster Recovery at the cost of compute and storage.
*Note: Further discounts can be applied by purchasing one- or three-year reservations.
Also, if you rent SQL Server via Software Subscriptions, its monthly price per core will stay the same: $64.96 for Standard and $249.04 for Enterprise.
For more information about these changes, how they will affect your licenses, and further steps to take, please contact one of our Microsoft Licensing experts, we are happy to help.
