Ditch Azure SQL Database? 8 Alternatives for Startups & Growing Businesses

Microsoft Azure SQL Database is a popular choice, but it's not the only option. Startups and growing businesses may find that other managed database services offer better performance, pricing, or developer experience that fit well into their tech stack.

Ready to explore some of the top alternatives to Azure SQL Database? Let's explore eight compelling solutions!

Why Consider an Azure SQL Database Alternative?

While Azure SQL Database offers automated database management, there are compelling reasons to explore alternatives:

Straightforward Pricing: Some services offer more transparent and predictable pricing models.
Enhanced Performance: Certain databases might provide better performance for specific workloads.
Improved Developer Tools: Some alternatives boast more intuitive interfaces and developer-friendly features, improving developer experience.

What to Look for in a Managed Database Service

Choosing a managed database service involves careful consideration. Here are the key factors to keep in mind so your team can build better applications faster:

Performance and Reliability: Uptime track record, SLA guarantees, and database performance metrics like IOPS limits and connection pooling are key.
Cost Structure: Transparent pricing with essential features included is important. Look into options like reserved instances and volume discounts.
Scaling Capabilities: Consider automated scaling options and downtime requirements for scaling operations.
Backup and Recovery: Evaluate backup frequency, retention policies, and restore capabilities, especially point-in-time recovery.
Security Features: Prioritize encryption, network isolation, and access controls, ensuring compliance with SOC 2, HIPAA, or GDPR.
Geographic Availability: Consider data center locations, cross-region replication, and disaster recovery options.
Developer Experience: Look for quality management interfaces, API documentation, and features like connection pooling and query analysis.

Top 8 Microsoft Azure SQL Database Alternatives

Explore these eight alternatives to find a managed database solution that aligns with your business's needs:

1. DigitalOcean Managed Databases: Simplicity Meets Power

DigitalOcean Managed Databases provide a developer-friendly approach by balancing simplicity with power. It supports engines like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB with automatic updates and daily backups included.

Key Features:

Global availability across multiple regions.
Automated daily backups with point-in-time recovery.
Simple horizontal scaling with read-only nodes.
Built-in monitoring and alerting.
Automated failover for high availability.

Pricing: Basic clusters start at just $15/month.

2. AWS RDS: Mature and Enterprise-Ready

Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) is a mature managed database platform that's reliable in enterprise environments. It supports multiple database engines with integration throughout AWS.

Key Features:

Extensive database engine options.
Multi-AZ deployments for high availability.
Performance Insights for query analysis.
Integration with AWS security features.
Automated backup and patching.

Pricing: Pay-per-use, based on instance type and storage consumed.

3. Google Cloud SQL: Seamless Google Cloud Integration

Google Cloud SQL provides a fully managed relational database with MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server support. It integrates with Google Cloud while providing enterprise-grade security and reliability features.

Key Features:

Supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.
Automated replication and failover.
Automatic storage increases.
Integrated with Cloud IAM and VPC Service Controls.
Real-time monitoring and diagnostics.

Pricing: Varies by region.

4. MongoDB Atlas: Cloud-Native Document Database

MongoDB Atlas provides a cloud-native document database for simplified MongoDB usage. The platform provides scaling capabilities and developer-friendly features like built-in search, data visualization, and native time series support.

Key Features:

Auto-scaling and self-healing deployments.
Built-in search and data visualization.
Multi-cloud and multi-region support.
Performance optimization tools.
Integrated data lake capabilities.

Pricing: Free tier available for small workloads.

5. Akamai Connected Cloud Databases (Formerly Linode): Performance and Value

Akamai Connected Cloud Databases combines simplicity with Akamai's global edge network. The platform offers balance of performance and pricing for reliable database hosting without complex configuration options.

Key Features:

High-performance SSD storage.
Automated backup systems.
Built-in replication options.
Global data center presence.
Native DDoS protection.

Pricing: MySQL and PostgreSQL clusters start at $65/month.

6. Vultr Managed Databases: Simplicity and Global Reach

Vultr Managed Databases take a simple approach to database hosting with a focus on performance and global availability. The platform provides managed PostgreSQL and MySQL instances across a global network of data centers.

Key Features:

Automatic failover capabilities
Daily automated backups
25+ global locations
One-click deployment
Automated patches and updates

Pricing: Regular performance starts at $15/month.

7. ScaleGrid: Multi-Cloud Flexibility

ScaleGrid offers a fully managed database hosting service that supports multiple clouds including AWS, Azure, and DigitalOcean. The platform's multi-cloud flexibility enables database operations while giving teams more control.

Key Features:

Cross-platform database support
Multi-cloud deployment options
Custom machine selection
Advanced monitoring tools
Automated backups

Pricing: Flexible, based on cloud provider and configuration.

8. Heroku Postgres: Trusted and Developer-Friendly

Heroku Postgres delivers a PostgreSQL service, focusing on simplicity and integration with Heroku's platform-as-a-service. It's mainly for Heroku users, but works as a standalone database solution.

Key Features:

Automated health checks
Point-in-time recovery
Follower databases
Fork and follow capability
Data clips for sharing

Pricing: Essential tier starting at $5/month.

Simplify Your Database Management with DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean Managed Databases provides transparent pricing and dependable uptime, while simplifying database management so your teams can build great applications.

Benefits of DigitalOcean:

Straightforward management console and API tools.
Automated backups and failover capabilities.
Support for PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB.

DigitalOcean is a complete cloud platform for modern businesses, from compute and object storage to application deployment hosting.

Ready to simplify your database management? Sign up for DigitalOcean today!

Ditch Azure SQL Database? 8 Alternatives for Startups & Growing Businesses

Ready to explore some of the top alternatives to Azure SQL Database? Let's explore eight compelling solutions!

Why Consider an Azure SQL Database Alternative?

While Azure SQL Database offers automated database management, there are compelling reasons to explore alternatives:

Straightforward Pricing: Some services offer more transparent and predictable pricing models.
Enhanced Performance: Certain databases might provide better performance for specific workloads.
Improved Developer Tools: Some alternatives boast more intuitive interfaces and developer-friendly features, improving developer experience.

What to Look for in a Managed Database Service

Choosing a managed database service involves careful consideration. Here are the key factors to keep in mind so your team can build better applications faster:

Performance and Reliability: Uptime track record, SLA guarantees, and database performance metrics like IOPS limits and connection pooling are key.
Cost Structure: Transparent pricing with essential features included is important. Look into options like reserved instances and volume discounts.
Scaling Capabilities: Consider automated scaling options and downtime requirements for scaling operations.
Backup and Recovery: Evaluate backup frequency, retention policies, and restore capabilities, especially point-in-time recovery.
Security Features: Prioritize encryption, network isolation, and access controls, ensuring compliance with SOC 2, HIPAA, or GDPR.
Geographic Availability: Consider data center locations, cross-region replication, and disaster recovery options.
Developer Experience: Look for quality management interfaces, API documentation, and features like connection pooling and query analysis.

Top 8 Microsoft Azure SQL Database Alternatives

Explore these eight alternatives to find a managed database solution that aligns with your business's needs:

1. DigitalOcean Managed Databases: Simplicity Meets Power

Key Features:

Global availability across multiple regions.
Automated daily backups with point-in-time recovery.
Simple horizontal scaling with read-only nodes.
Built-in monitoring and alerting.
Automated failover for high availability.

Pricing: Basic clusters start at just $15/month.

2. AWS RDS: Mature and Enterprise-Ready

Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) is a mature managed database platform that's reliable in enterprise environments. It supports multiple database engines with integration throughout AWS.

Key Features:

Extensive database engine options.
Multi-AZ deployments for high availability.
Performance Insights for query analysis.
Integration with AWS security features.
Automated backup and patching.

Pricing: Pay-per-use, based on instance type and storage consumed.

3. Google Cloud SQL: Seamless Google Cloud Integration

Key Features:

Supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.
Automated replication and failover.
Automatic storage increases.
Integrated with Cloud IAM and VPC Service Controls.
Real-time monitoring and diagnostics.

Pricing: Varies by region.

4. MongoDB Atlas: Cloud-Native Document Database

Key Features:

Auto-scaling and self-healing deployments.
Built-in search and data visualization.
Multi-cloud and multi-region support.
Performance optimization tools.
Integrated data lake capabilities.

Pricing: Free tier available for small workloads.

5. Akamai Connected Cloud Databases (Formerly Linode): Performance and Value

Key Features:

High-performance SSD storage.
Automated backup systems.
Built-in replication options.
Global data center presence.
Native DDoS protection.

Pricing: MySQL and PostgreSQL clusters start at $65/month.

6. Vultr Managed Databases: Simplicity and Global Reach

Key Features:

Automatic failover capabilities
Daily automated backups
25+ global locations
One-click deployment
Automated patches and updates

Pricing: Regular performance starts at $15/month.

7. ScaleGrid: Multi-Cloud Flexibility

Key Features:

Cross-platform database support
Multi-cloud deployment options
Custom machine selection
Advanced monitoring tools
Automated backups

Pricing: Flexible, based on cloud provider and configuration.

8. Heroku Postgres: Trusted and Developer-Friendly

Heroku Postgres delivers a PostgreSQL service, focusing on simplicity and integration with Heroku's platform-as-a-service. It's mainly for Heroku users, but works as a standalone database solution.

Key Features:

Automated health checks
Point-in-time recovery
Follower databases
Fork and follow capability
Data clips for sharing

Pricing: Essential tier starting at $5/month.

Simplify Your Database Management with DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean Managed Databases provides transparent pricing and dependable uptime, while simplifying database management so your teams can build great applications.

Benefits of DigitalOcean: