Updated: November 19, 2023 (November 19, 2023)

SQL Server SA Discounts Azure Data Services

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

Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server offers discounts on Azure VMs and Azure data services for some SQL Server customers.
The data service discount can reduce the cost of moving workloads to Azure SQL Database and similar services.
The discount is exclusive to Azure and does not apply to Amazon Web Services or other hosted service competitors.

Organizations with Software Assurance (SA) coverage on SQL Server core licenses can receive discounts on SQL Server running in Azure VMs, or on Azure SQL Database and some other Azure data management services. The Azure Hybrid Benefit resembles the older License Mobility through SA benefit, but limits the options customers have to move on-premises investments in SQL Server to Azure.

Earlier Options for Purchasing SQL Server in Azure VMs

Prior to the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server, customers had two options to license SQL Server for use in Azure VMs.

Pay as you go charges an hourly fee for the SQL Server software in addition to the compute charges for the VM, and any charges for the OS SQL Server is running on. The compute charges for a VM vary, depending on the specifications of the hardware allocated to the VM. The charges for both Windows Server and SQL Server in this case are based on the cores dedicated to the VM, similar to the license model used on-premises for both products.

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