Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance: Choosing the Right Option

Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance are two popular database options in the Azure cloud. Azure SQL Database is a fully managed relational database service that supports popular programming languages and frameworks.

It's a great choice for web and mobile applications, with support for up to 99,999 IOPS and 32TB of storage.

For larger, more complex databases, Azure SQL Managed Instance offers higher performance and scalability, with up to 300,000 IOPS and 4TB of storage.

This makes it ideal for large-scale enterprise applications that require high availability and disaster recovery.

Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance are two cloud-based database services that cater to different data storage and management needs. Azure SQL Database is a database as a service model that allows access to restricted virtual networks using endpoints of VNet.

Azure SQL Managed Instance, on the other hand, provides integration of native virtual networks, bridging the gap between Azure SQL Database and on-premises SQL Server. It also offers a database as a service model, sharing the same code as Azure SQL Database using the latest stable version of SQL Server.

Here are some key differences between the two services:

Azure SQL Managed Instance runs with all the features of the most recent version of SQL Server, including online operations, automatic plan corrections, and other enterprise performance enhancements. It also offers a range of benefits, including no purchasing or managing hardware, no management overhead, quick provisioning and service scaling, automated patching and version upgrade, and more.

Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance are two cloud-based database services provided by Microsoft Azure. Azure SQL Database is a PaaS service that provides a native virtual network (VNet) implementation, addressing common security concerns.

Azure SQL Managed Instance, on the other hand, is designed for customers looking to migrate a large number of apps from an on-premises or IaaS environment to a fully managed PaaS cloud environment. It offers compatibility with SQL Server and complete isolation of customer instances with native VNet support.

One of the key benefits of SQL Managed Instance is its ability to lift and shift existing SQL Server databases or instances to Azure with minimal application and database changes. This is made possible through the fully automated Azure Data Migration Service.

SQL Managed Instance also provides all PaaS capabilities, such as automatic patching and version updates, automated backups, and high availability, to drastically reduce management overhead and the total cost of ownership (TCO).

Here are some of the key benefits of SQL Managed Instance:

When moving to the cloud, it's essential to understand the differences between on-premises and cloud-based SQL solutions. One key difference is that SQL Managed Instance is always up-to-date in the cloud, which means some features in SQL Server might be obsolete or have alternatives.

SQL Managed Instance benefits from built-in high availability, preconfigured using technology similar to Always On availability groups. This means you don't need to worry about setting up and maintaining high availability yourself.

There are only automated backups and point-in-time restore in SQL Managed Instance, but you can initiate copy-only backups that don't interfere with the automatic backup chain. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to data management.

Specifying full physical paths is unsupported in SQL Managed Instance, so you'll need to adapt your scenarios accordingly. For example, RESTORE DB doesn't support WITH MOVE, and CREATE DB doesn't allow physical paths.

SQL Managed Instance supports Microsoft Entra authentication and Windows Authentication for Microsoft Entra principals (Preview), which can enhance security and authentication options.

SQL Managed Instance automatically manages XTP filegroups and files for databases containing In-Memory OLTP objects, taking care of this complex task for you.

To summarize the key differences in connectivity options, here are the specifics:

You can also stop and start the instance to save on costs, giving you more control over your expenses.

When choosing between Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance, it's essential to understand their differences. Azure SQL managed instance provides integration of native virtual network, whereas Azure SQL database enables access to restricted virtual networks by using endpoints of VNet.

One key difference is in their recovery models. Azure SQL databases are recovered using database backups only, whereas managed instances are recovered using automated and full backups placed on blob storage.

Azure SQL databases are supported in service tiers other than hyper-scale, but managed instances are not supported by active geo-replication. This means that if you need to replicate your database across different regions, Azure SQL database might be a better choice.

Here's a comparison of some key features:

Azure SQL Database has some notable competitors in the market. Amazon Aurora is one of them.

Amazon Aurora offers auto-scaling options, which can be beneficial for applications with fluctuating workloads. However, Aurora also has distinct behavioral differences between MySQL and PostgreSQL, which may require modifications during migration.

Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service) is another competitor. It allows the scale of computing resources, but compatibility varies depending on the database engine selected.

Here's a comparison of the scalability features of Azure SQL Database and its competitors:

All three services are fully managed, which means you don't need to worry about maintenance and updates. However, Azure SQL Database offers various service tiers and purchasing models to match performance and budget needs.

Azure SQL Managed Instance offers a range of features and capabilities that make it an attractive option for businesses. One key benefit is its ability to deliver close to 100% surface area compatibility with the latest SQL Server version.

Azure SQL Managed Instance supports backward compatibility to SQL Server 2008 databases, and direct migration from SQL Server 2005 is supported. This means that businesses can easily migrate their existing databases to the Managed Instance.

The Managed Instance also offers a range of platform capabilities, including active geo-replication, auto-failover groups, and automatic backups. Additionally, it supports features such as columnstore indexes, credentials, and CLR support.

Here's a comparison of some key features between Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance:

Azure SQL Managed Instance also offers a range of security and compliance features, including isolated environments, transparent data encryption, and Microsoft Entra authentication.

Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance have distinct platform capabilities that set them apart. Both services offer automatic backups, but Azure SQL Managed Instance also supports user-initiated backups that can be restored to SQL Server 2022.

Azure SQL Database supports active geo-replication, which allows for the replication of databases across multiple regions. This feature is not available in Azure SQL Managed Instance. On the other hand, Azure SQL Managed Instance supports auto-failover groups, which provide high availability for databases.

Azure SQL Database offers auto-scale capabilities, but only in a serverless model. In contrast, Azure SQL Managed Instance does not support auto-scale. Both services, however, provide automatic backups, which are essential for ensuring data integrity.

Here's a comparison of the platform capabilities of Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance:

As you can see from the table, both services offer a range of platform capabilities, but with some key differences. By understanding these differences, you can choose the service that best meets your needs.

The vCore-based purchasing model for SQL Managed Instance gives you flexibility and control over your workload. You can change compute, memory, and storage as needed.

This model allows you to translate on-premises workload requirements to the cloud with ease. You can choose from different hardware configurations to suit your needs.

The vCore model is eligible for up to 55 percent savings with the Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL Server. This can help you save costs on your cloud expenses.

You can choose hardware configurations as follows:

Each CPU vCore comes with 5.1 GB of RAM in the Standard Series, 7 GB of RAM in the Premium Series, and 13.6 GB of RAM in the Premium Series Memory-Optimized.

When choosing between Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance, understanding their performance and resource management capabilities is crucial.

Azure SQL Database has a maximum resource limit of 128 vCores, whereas Azure SQL Managed Instance also has a maximum of 128 vCores. However, Azure SQL Managed Instance has a higher storage size limit, at 16 TB.

To manage resources effectively, consider the service tier for your workload and monitor performance metrics. Azure SQL Database is best for memory-intensive workloads, while Azure SQL Managed Instance is optimized for storage-heavy workloads.

Resource Limits play a crucial role in determining the performance and efficiency of your database.

Azure SQL Database has a maximum storage size of 1 GB to 100 TB, while Azure SQL Managed Instance tops out at 16 TB.

In terms of computer size, both Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance can utilize up to 128 vCores.

Tempdb size is another important consideration, with Azure SQL Database maxing out at 32 GB per vCore or 2,560 GB overall, and Azure SQL Managed Instance capping at 4 TB.

Log write throughput is also a limiting factor, with Azure SQL Database reaching a max of 100 MB/sec, and Azure SQL Managed Instance peaking at 4.5 MB/s per vCore.

Availability is a crucial aspect of database performance, with both Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance adhering to the default SLA.

When choosing between Azure SQL Database and Azure Managed Instance, it's essential to consider the correct service tier for your workload. This will help you make an informed decision and avoid performance issues down the line.

To monitor performance metrics, you should consider using Azure SQL Database, which offers a range of monitoring tools to help you track your database's performance. These tools can help you identify potential issues before they become major problems.

In terms of storage, Azure Managed Instance offers more flexibility, allowing you to scale up or down as needed. This can be a huge advantage for businesses with fluctuating storage needs.

Azure SQL Database also offers cross-database sharding, which allows you to split your database into smaller, more manageable pieces. This can help improve performance and make it easier to manage your data.

For businesses using In-Memory OLTP, Azure SQL Database is the way to go. This feature allows you to store data in RAM, which can significantly improve performance.

Here's a comparison of some key performance considerations for Azure SQL Database and Azure Managed Instance:

By considering these factors and choosing the right service for your needs, you can help ensure that your database runs smoothly and efficiently.

The cost of Azure SQL database vs. Managed Instance depends on many factors, including Service Tier, Compute and Storage, and Elastic Pool. These parameters will help you decide which is more suitable for your business.

Service Tier is a key factor in determining the cost of Azure SQL database vs. Managed Instance. A higher Service Tier generally means a higher cost.

Compute and Storage are also essential factors to consider when evaluating the cost of Azure SQL database vs. Managed Instance. You'll need to decide how much compute power and storage you need for your business.

Elastic Pool is another factor that affects the cost of Azure SQL database vs. Managed Instance. If you have multiple databases with varying sizes, an elastic pool can help you save on costs.

Backup and Retention, Data Transfer, and Availability are also important factors to consider when evaluating the cost of Azure SQL database vs. Managed Instance. Make sure you understand how these factors will impact your costs.

Serverless Compute and VCore are also factors that can impact the cost of Azure SQL database vs. Managed Instance. Serverless Compute can help you save on costs, but it may not be suitable for all businesses.

VNet Integration and Software Licensing are also important factors to consider when evaluating the cost of Azure SQL database vs. Managed Instance. Make sure you understand how these factors will impact your costs.

Simplified Management is also a benefit of using Azure SQL Managed Instance. This can help you save time and resources, but it's essential to consider the cost implications.

Here are some ways to save on costs with Azure SQL Managed Instance:

Azure SQL Managed Instance has advanced security features, including native virtual network implementation and connectivity to on-premises environments. This provides a secure and isolated environment for your database.

SQL Managed Instance also provides additional security isolation from other tenants on the Azure platform, including single-tenant with dedicated underlying infrastructure. This ensures that your database is not shared with other users.

Some key security features of Azure SQL Managed Instance include transparent data encryption (TDE), Microsoft Entra authentication, and single sign-on support. These features help protect your data and ensure secure access to your database.

The following table summarizes some key security features of Azure SQL Managed Instance:

Azure SQL Managed Instance has also been certified against a number of compliance standards, including those listed under SQL Database in the Microsoft Azure Compliance Offerings.

SQL Managed Instance comes with advanced security features provided by the Azure platform and the SQL Server database engine. These features provide a high level of security and compliance.

SQL Managed Instance has been certified against a number of compliance standards, including those listed under SQL Database on the Microsoft Azure Compliance Offerings page. This ensures that SQL Managed Instance meets the necessary security and compliance requirements.

The following table shows some of the key security features of SQL Managed Instance:

SQL Managed Instance also provides additional security isolation from other tenants on the Azure platform. This includes native virtual network implementation and connectivity to on-premises environments using Azure ExpressRoute or VPN Gateway.

SQL Managed Instance supports traditional SQL Server database engine logins and logins integrated with Microsoft Entra ID. Microsoft Entra server principals (logins) enable you to specify users and groups from your Microsoft Entra tenant as true instance-scoped principals.

SQL Managed Instance authentication refers to how users prove their identity when connecting to the database. SQL Managed Instance supports three types of authentication: SQL Authentication, Microsoft Entra authentication, and Windows authentication for Microsoft Entra principals.

Authorization in Azure SQL Managed Instance is controlled by your user account's database role memberships and object-level permissions. This means that what a user can do within a database is strictly limited to their designated roles and permissions.

SQL Managed Instance has the same authorization capabilities as SQL Server 2022, so you can rely on its robust security features to manage access and privileges.

When it comes to backing up and restoring your Azure SQL Database, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some key facts to consider:

Backups from a managed instance can only be restored to other managed instances, or to SQL Server 2022. They cannot be restored to other versions of SQL Server, or to Azure SQL Database.

To back up and restore your managed instance, you'll need to use SQL backups to Azure Blob storage. This means you'll be uploading your backup files to a secure location in Azure.

You can restore a backup file to a managed instance using the T-SQL RESTORE command. This is a quick and easy way to get your database back up and running in case something goes wrong.

To do this, you'll need to upload a backup file to Azure Blob Storage and secure it using a shared access signature (SAS). You can find a quickstart on how to do this in the article "Restore a backup file to a managed instance".

Here's a quick summary of your options: