SQL Server Express
Entry-level engine for learning, dev, test, and small apps. Pick the MSSQL server version your vendor certifies—2016 through 2025 are common for new Express workloads.
SQL Server Mart · Marketplace MSSQL
MSSQL Server Version Guide for Pre-Installed Hosting
This SQL server guide walks through each supported MSSQL version—Express and Web Edition—so you can match the right MSSQL server version to your app, compare limits, and deploy from the Database Mart Marketplace on SQL Server Mart Windows VPS or dedicated servers.
Overview
What Is an MSSQL Version?
Microsoft ships a new SQL server version on a multi-year cadence (2012 through 2025 in our Marketplace). Each release is a distinct MSSQL version with its own engine features; Express and Web are the editions SQL Server Mart customers deploy most often.
SQL Server Web Edition
Licensed edition for public web properties—higher memory, more cores, and SQL Server Agent. Use Web when your chosen SQL server version must run Agent jobs or exceed Express caps on dedicated hardware.
VPS Hosting Pricing
SQL Server VPS Hosting Plans
Windows VPS and dedicated options that support Marketplace SQL Server images—compare resources before you deploy. View All VPS Plans →
Express Plus Windows VPS
$ 10.99/mo
1mo3mo12mo24mo
Order Now- 6GB RAM
- 3 CPU Cores
- 100GB SSD Disk Space
- 100Mbps Unmetered Bandwidth
- Once per 4 Weeks Backup
- 1 Dedicated IP
- Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016
- No Setup Fee
Basic Plus Windows VPS
$ 19.99/mo
1mo3mo12mo24mo
Order Now- 12GB RAM
- 6 CPU Cores
- 180GB SSD Disk Space
- 200Mbps Unmetered Bandwidth
- Once per 4 Weeks Backup
- 1 Dedicated IP
- Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016
- No Setup Fee
Professional Plus Windows VPS
$ 37.99/mo
1mo3mo12mo24mo
Order Now- 24GB RAM
- 8 CPU Cores
- 280GB SSD Disk Space
- 300Mbps Unmetered Bandwidth
- Once per 2 Weeks Backup
- 1 Dedicated IP
- Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016
- No Setup Fee
Advanced Plus Windows VPS
$ 63.99/mo
1mo3mo12mo24mo
Order Now- 32GB RAM
- 16 CPU Cores
- 400GB SSD Disk Space
- 500Mbps Unmetered Bandwidth
- Once per 2 Weeks Backup
- 1 Dedicated IP
- Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016
- No Setup Fee
Dedicated Server Pricing
SQL Server Dedicated Server Plans
Windows VPS and dedicated options that support Marketplace SQL Server images—compare resources before you deploy. View More Dedicated Server Hosting Plans →
Hot Sale
Express Dedicated Server - SSD
$ 37.80/mo
30% OFF Recurring (Was $54.00)
1mo3mo12mo24mo
Order Now- 32GB RAM
- 4-Core E3-1230 @3.20 GHz
- 120GB SSD + 960GB SSD
- 100Mbps-1Gbps Bandwidth
- OS : Windows / Linux
- 1 Dedicated IPv4 IP
- No Setup Fee
Hot Sale
Basic Dedicated Server - SSD
$ 51.35/mo
35% OFF Recurring (Was $79.00)
1mo3mo12mo24mo
Order Now- 64GB RAM
- 8-Core E5-2670 @2.60 GHz
- 120GB SSD + 960GB SSD
- 100Mbps-1Gbps Bandwidth
- OS : Windows / Linux
- 1 Dedicated IPv4 IP
- No Setup Fee
Professional Dedicated Server - SSD
$ 99.00/mo
1mo3mo12mo24mo
Order Now- 128GB RAM
- 16-Core Dual E5-2660 @2.20 GHz
- 120GB SSD + 960GB SSD
- 100Mbps-1Gbps Bandwidth
- OS : Windows / Linux
- 1 Dedicated IPv4 IP
- No Setup Fee
Hot Sale
Advanced Dedicated Server - SSD
$ 101.40/mo
40% OFF Recurring (Was $169.00)
1mo3mo12mo24mo
Order Now- 256GB RAM
- 24-Core Dual E5-2697v2 @2.70 GHz
- 120GB SSD + 2TB SSD
- 100Mbps-1Gbps Bandwidth
- OS : Windows / Linux
- 1 Dedicated IPv4 IP
- No Setup Fee
Marketplace
Pre-Installed MS SQL Server Versions
Thirteen Marketplace images cover supported MS SQL server versions from 2012 to 2025. Select edition and year in the App Marketplace—each MSSQL version ships with engine, services, and SSMS pre-configured.
SQL Server Express (7 versions)
Lightweight Express images—one MSSQL version per deploy link below.
Compare
SQL Server Express vs Web Edition
Use this table after you narrow the MSSQL server version year—Express vs Web limits apply across every supported SQL server version in the Marketplace.
| Feature | SQL Server Express | SQL Server Web Edition |
|---|---|---|
| License cost (Marketplace) | Free | Paid — USD $29.00/month per 4 CPU cores |
| Typical use | Learning, dev, test, small apps | Production websites, SaaS, web hosting |
| Max database size | 10 GB per DB (2012–2022); 50 GB per DB (2025) | 524 PB — effectively limited by server storage |
| Max buffer pool (RAM) | 1,410 MB | 64 GB |
| Max compute | Lesser of 1 socket or 4 cores | Lesser of 4 sockets or 16 cores |
| SQL Server Agent | No | Yes |
| Backup & restore | Yes | Yes |
| Always On availability groups | No | No |
| Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) | No | No |
| Versions in Marketplace | 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2025 | 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 |
Web Edition licensing note
Microsoft licenses by CPU cores: the first 4 cores need one license; each additional 4-core block needs another. Web Edition applies to every listed MSSQL version in the table—confirm Microsoft terms before production on public sites.
Hosting
Where Each MSSQL Version Deploys
Match hosting product to edition—Express for eligible Windows VPS; Web on dedicated servers. Any pre-installed MSSQL version requires a dedicated IPv4 address.
| Product | SQL Server Express | SQL Server Web Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Windows VPS (eligible plans) | Yes — 5 compatible plans | Not available on VPS |
| Dedicated servers (eligible plans) | Yes — among 20+ compatible plans | Yes — select Web image at deploy |
| Shared IP address | Not supported | Not supported — dedicated IPv4 required |
| Windows Server OS on image | 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025 | 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025 |
Choose
How to Pick Your MSSQL Server Version
Follow this SQL server guide from workload to deploy—no manual setup scripts when you choose a Marketplace image.
01
Define workload
Dev/test or tiny DB under 10 GB → Express. Production web, Agent jobs, or larger RAM → Web on dedicated hardware—confirm the MSSQL server version meets your compliance list first.
02
Pick release year
New apps: 2022 or 2025 Express. Legacy stacks: match the SQL server version in your vendor matrix—2016–2019 remain widely used MS SQL server versions.
03
Select server plan
Express-only teams often start on Windows VPS; Web Edition needs an eligible dedicated server. Size CPU for Web licensing after you fix the SQL server version year.
04
Deploy Marketplace image
Choose the MSSQL server version in the console, provision, then connect with SSMS. See the Marketplace setup doc for post-deploy steps.
FAQ
MSSQL Version FAQ
Common questions about SQL server version choice, Express vs Web, and Marketplace deploy.
Thirteen images: seven Express and six Web Edition releases. Each image is a fixed MSSQL server version with SSMS—covering MS SQL server versions from 2012 through 2025 (Express includes 2025; Web through 2022).
Yes—the image installs the engine, services, and SSMS for that MSSQL server version during provisioning. Connect via RDP, open SSMS, then create or import databases.
Express suits small production within Microsoft caps for your chosen MSSQL version. Larger SaaS sites typically move to Web on dedicated servers with a matching MSSQL server version.
Marketplace rules limit Web to dedicated plans; Windows VPS supports Express images only. You can still run any supported Express SQL server version on VPS with a dedicated IP.
Pick the newest SQL server version your app certifies; 2025 raises Express database size to 50 GB. See the Express 2019 vs 2022 vs 2025 comparison on our blog.
In-place upgrades or migrations are possible; review Upgrade Your SQL Server Version and back up before changing MSSQL version or edition.
Yes. SQL Server Marketplace deployment requires a dedicated IPv4 address—shared IP servers are not eligible.
Deploy Your MSSQL Version Today
Choose Express or Web from 13 pre-installed MS SQL server versions, or pick SQL Server Mart hosting first—then launch from the Marketplace with SSMS on the server.