Developer Edition License Terms

SQL Server Developer edition provides exactly the same technical features as SQL Server Enterprise edition. Developer edition includes the same software license terms whether it is licensed through VS/MSDN Platforms or downloaded from Microsoft’s Web site. These terms have not materially changed with the release of SQL Server 2022.

License terms in all cases include the following:

Terms of use. The Developer edition license terms allow users to deploy an unlimited number of copies on any number of devices, including VMs hosted on servers at a multitenant service provider, such as Azure.

Restrictions on types of use. The software may be used only to design, develop, test, and demonstrate programs that use SQL Server’s database engine, report engine, or some other feature. Demonstration rights come with a special provision: only individuals who have access to the licensed organization’s internal network may install and use copies of the software for demonstration purposes. In other words, an organization’s employees could use Developer edition as part of a sales demonstration to potential clients, but they may not leave the software behind for prospects to later run on their own. (End-user acceptance testing by end users is permissible, however.) Use of SQL Server Developer edition in a production environment or as part of a commercial software hosting service is expressly prohibited.