Share via

SQL Server 2025 Standard Licensing

Branden Holloway 20 Reputation points
2026-05-06T20:05:34.2233333+00:00

We are in the process of purchasing SQL Server 2025. We have been braced with a much higher price than ever before. We have 2 SQL Servers running on VM's and a total of 100 Clients. Do we need to purchase SA with this? I am sorry if this has been asked before but it looks like maybe it was necessary for 2022 but maybe not for 2025.

Windows for business | Windows Server | Devices and deployment | Licensing and activation
0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Tracy Le 8,150 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-06T22:53:42.8+00:00

    Hi Branden Holloway,

    Starting with SQL Server 2022 and continuing with 2025, Microsoft has shifted heavily towards a subscription model. If you buy a Perpetual License (pay once, own forever) for a Virtual Machine, Software Assurance (SA) is MANDATORY if you want "License Mobility." Without SA, your license is legally tied to a specific physical host. If the VM moves to another host in your cluster (vMotion/Live Migration), you are technically out of compliance.

    Since you have 100 clients but only 2 VMs, you have two options:

    • Server + CAL Model: You buy 2 Server licenses + 100 User CALs. This is usually cheaper for your specific ratio.
    • Core Model: You license the virtual cores of the VMs (minimum 4 cores per VM). This covers unlimited users.

    Buy SQL Server 2025 via Subscription (CSP). It includes SA benefits by default. This gives you:

    • License Mobility: Move VMs between hosts freely.
    • Azure Hybrid Benefit: If you ever move these to the cloud.
    • Cost: No massive upfront perpetual cost; it's an operational expense.

    If these VMs are on a cluster and can migrate, do not buy perpetual without SA. You will fail an audit. Go with the Subscription model (CSP) to stay safe and flexible.

    If this clears up the licensing fog, please click "Accept Answer".

    Tracy Le.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-05-06T20:05:43.89+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Software Assurance (SA) is not inherently required just because SQL Server 2025 is being purchased. SA is an optional licensing add-on that provides benefits such as license mobility, Azure Hybrid Benefit, and certain high-availability/failover and virtualization rights, but SQL Server 2025 Standard can be licensed without SA.

    From the provided context:

    • SA is specifically required when invoking Azure Hybrid Benefit or license mobility for using existing SQL Server licenses on Azure SQL services (for example, SQL Managed Instance, SQL Database, or SQL Server on Azure VMs). Without SA, those scenarios are charged pay‑as‑you‑go.
    • SA is also tied to some rights in earlier versions (for example, Power BI Report Server usage rights with SQL Server Enterprise edition 2022 and earlier), but for SQL Server 2025, Power BI Report Server is available with qualifying SQL Server 2025 Enterprise and Standard licenses without explicitly calling out SA in the provided text.

    Nothing in the context states that SA is mandatory for SQL Server 2025 Standard in general on‑premises or VM deployments. The decision to purchase SA depends on whether the environment needs the additional benefits (such as Azure Hybrid Benefit, certain HA/DR or virtualization rights, or long‑term upgrade rights). For two VMs and 100 clients, SA is only needed if those specific SA benefits are required; otherwise, SQL Server 2025 Standard can be licensed without SA.

    For exact licensing combinations (Server+CAL vs Core, OEM vs Open Value, and whether SA is cost‑effective in this scenario), the context shows that multiple options can be valid and cost‑effective depending on usage patterns and access model, but it does not prescribe a single required approach for SQL Server 2025 Standard.

    References:

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.