Updated: July 14, 2020 (September 9, 2013)

SQL Server Database Feature Comparison

Wes Miller analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s security, identity management, and systems management technologies. Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Wes... more

SQL Server’s database engine allows users or systems to query or store data in columns and rows. The key features for SQL Server 2012 being used as a database server are shown here by edition.

Feature	Description	Express	Standard	Business Intelligence	Enterprise
Database Size	Maximum size of any relational database.	10GB	524PB	524PB	524PB
Max Processors or Processor Cores	Maximum processing power available to an instance of SQL Server 2012 when used as a database.	Lesser of four cores or one processor	Lesser of 16 cores or four processors	Lesser of 16 cores or four processors	Maximum supported by OS, when licensed per core
Max Memory	Maximum RAM available to an instance of SQL Server when used as a database.	1GB	64GB	64GB	Maximum supported by OS
LocalDB and User Instances	On-demand and user-session based instances of SQL Server for use by applications.

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