SQL Server Enterprise Licensing Calculator
Compare physical core vs VM licensing costs and find the most cost-effective strategy for your virtualized environment
Configuration
1 Host Configuration
2 VM Configuration
3 Licensing Options
4 Custom Pricing (USD)
Perpetual License (One-time)
Subscription (Annual)
Pay-as-you-go (Monthly)
Licensing Analysis
Configure your environment and click “Calculate” to see licensing requirements
Cost Comparison
Physical Core Licensing
RecommendedVM Licensing
RecommendedHow to Use This SQL Server Licensing Calculator
1 Getting Started
Fill in your server details: Enter how many physical servers you have, their CPU configuration, and how many SQL Server virtual machines you plan to run.
Choose your licensing approach: Select between licensing all physical cores or licensing individual virtual machines.
Set your pricing: Adjust the unit costs to match your specific Microsoft pricing agreement or quotes.
Get instant results: The calculator automatically updates as you make changes, showing licensing requirements and costs.
2 Physical Core Licensing
What it means: You buy licenses for every physical CPU core in your servers, regardless of how many SQL Server VMs you run.
When to choose this: Best for high-density virtualization where you plan to run many SQL Server VMs on the same hardware.
Key benefits:
- Unlimited SQL Server VMs on licensed servers
- Maximum flexibility to add or remove VMs
- Often more cost-effective for 4+ VMs per server
- Covers disaster recovery scenarios automatically
Important rules:
- Minimum 4-core license required per physical processor
- Licenses are sold in 2-core packs (you buy packs, not individual cores)
- Must license all cores in all processors, even if not used by SQL Server
- Licenses are tied to the physical hardware
3 Virtual Machine Licensing
What it means: You buy licenses for each individual SQL Server virtual machine based on the number of virtual CPUs assigned to it.
When to choose this: Best when running fewer SQL Server VMs or when VMs have different resource requirements.
Key benefits:
- Pay only for the VMs you actually use
- More predictable costs for small deployments
- Easier to track licensing per application or department
- Can be more cost-effective for 1-3 VMs per server
Important rules:
- Minimum 4-core license required per VM (even if VM has fewer vCPUs)
- Licenses are sold in 2-core packs (minimum 2 packs per VM)
- Each VM must be licensed separately
- Adding new VMs requires additional licenses
- Disaster recovery VMs need separate licensing
4 Understanding Cost Models
Perpetual License (One-time purchase)
You own the software forever after paying once. Includes the right to use that specific version indefinitely. May require Software Assurance for updates and support.
Subscription (Annual payment)
Pay annually for the right to use SQL Server. Includes updates, support, and latest features. License expires if you stop paying. Often includes cloud hybrid benefits.
Pay-as-you-go (Monthly payment)
Pay monthly based on actual usage. Most flexible but typically highest per-unit cost. Common in cloud environments. Easy to scale up or down.
💡 Pro Tips
Compare both licensing methods
Always calculate costs for both core and VM licensing to find the most economical option for your specific scenario.
Consider future growth
If you plan to add more SQL Server VMs later, core licensing might be more cost-effective in the long run.
Don’t forget disaster recovery
Core licensing includes passive disaster recovery rights, while VM licensing requires separate licenses for DR instances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between physical core and VM licensing for SQL Server Enterprise?
Physical core licensing requires you to license all physical CPU cores on your servers, giving you unlimited SQL Server VMs on those servers. VM licensing allows you to license individual virtual machines based on their vCPU allocation. Core licensing is typically better for high-density virtualization (4+ VMs per server), while VM licensing can be more cost-effective for fewer VMs.
How do I calculate SQL Server Enterprise licensing costs?
To calculate SQL Server Enterprise licensing costs: 1) Count your physical cores or planned VMs, 2) Apply the minimum 4-core license requirement, 3) Multiply by your per-core or per-VM pricing, 4) Compare both methods to find the most cost-effective option. Our calculator automates this process and provides instant comparisons.
What is the minimum core requirement for SQL Server Enterprise licensing?
SQL Server Enterprise requires a minimum of 4 core licenses per physical processor, regardless of the actual number of cores. For VM licensing, each VM requires a minimum of 4 core licenses, even if the VM has fewer than 4 vCPUs assigned. Since licenses are sold in 2-core packs, you need a minimum of 2 packs per processor or VM.
Why are SQL Server licenses sold in 2-core packs?
Microsoft sells SQL Server Enterprise licenses in 2-core packs as the base licensing unit. This means if you have a processor with 6 cores, you need to buy 3 two-core packs (6 cores total). If you have 5 cores, you still need 3 packs, covering 6 cores with one unused. This packaging simplifies licensing calculations and aligns with Microsoft’s licensing model.
When should I choose physical core licensing over VM licensing?
Choose physical core licensing when you plan to run 4 or more SQL Server VMs per physical server, need maximum flexibility to add/remove VMs, or want disaster recovery rights included. It’s often more cost-effective for high-density virtualization scenarios.
What are the different SQL Server Enterprise pricing models?
SQL Server Enterprise offers three main pricing models: Perpetual licensing (one-time purchase with optional Software Assurance), Subscription licensing (annual payments with updates included), and Pay-as-you-go (monthly usage-based pricing, common in cloud environments).
Does SQL Server Enterprise licensing include disaster recovery rights?
With physical core licensing and Software Assurance, you get passive disaster recovery rights for equivalent servers. VM licensing requires separate licenses for disaster recovery instances unless you have specific agreements with Microsoft.
Can I mix physical core and VM licensing in the same environment?
Yes, you can use different licensing approaches for different servers in your environment. However, each physical server must use either core licensing or VM licensing consistently – you cannot mix both approaches on the same server.
Other SQL Server Licensing Calculators
SQL Server Standard Core Licensing Calculator
Calculate licensing costs for SQL Server Standard edition using the core-based licensing model. Perfect for smaller deployments and development environments.
Calculate Standard Core LicensingSQL Server Standard Server+CAL Calculator
Calculate licensing costs using the traditional Server + Client Access License (CAL) model. Ideal for environments with a known number of users or devices.
Calculate Server+CAL LicensingNeed Help Choosing?
Not sure which SQL Server edition or licensing model is right for you? Our licensing comparison guide explains the differences between Enterprise, Standard, and various licensing approaches to help you make the best decision for your organization.
Important Disclaimer
🎯 Purpose and Limitations
This calculator is provided for estimation purposes only and is designed to help you understand SQL Server Enterprise licensing requirements. The results should be used as a starting point for planning and budgeting, not as definitive licensing guidance.
⚠️ Not Official Microsoft Guidance
This tool is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially supported by Microsoft Corporation. All calculations are based on publicly available information and general understanding of Microsoft licensing terms. Microsoft licensing rules are complex and subject to change.
📋 Professional Consultation Required
Always consult with Microsoft or a qualified Microsoft licensing specialist before making purchasing decisions. Your specific environment, agreements, and requirements may affect licensing needs in ways this calculator cannot account for.
💰 Pricing Accuracy
- Default pricing shown is approximate and based on publicly available list prices
- Actual pricing varies significantly based on volume licensing agreements, geographic location, and reseller relationships
- Enterprise Agreement (EA), Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), and other program pricing may differ substantially
- Currency, taxes, and regional variations are not included
🔧 Technical Considerations Not Covered
- Software Assurance requirements and benefits
- Hybrid cloud licensing scenarios (Azure Hybrid Benefit)
- Disaster recovery and development environment licensing
- Mobility rights and license reassignment rules
- Compliance audit requirements and documentation
- Multi-tenant hosting scenarios
- Specific virtualization platform requirements
📅 Information Currency
Microsoft licensing terms, pricing, and product features change regularly. This calculator reflects information available at the time of creation and may not include the latest updates. Always verify current licensing terms with Microsoft.
🚫 Limitation of Liability
The creators of this calculator assume no responsibility for licensing compliance issues, financial losses, or other consequences resulting from the use of this tool. Users are solely responsible for ensuring proper licensing compliance.
✅ Recommended Next Steps
- Contact Microsoft or an authorized reseller for official pricing quotes
- Review the official Microsoft SQL Server licensing guide
- Consider engaging a Microsoft licensing specialist for complex environments
- Validate licensing requirements during Microsoft compliance audits
- Document your licensing decisions and rationale
By using this calculator, you acknowledge that you understand these limitations and will seek professional licensing guidance before making purchasing decisions.