SQL Server on Google Cloud is a set of deployment options for running Microsoft SQL Server workloads on Google Cloud, delivered as Cloud SQL for SQL Server (a managed relational database) plus an option to self-manage SQL Server on Compute Engine for IaaS scenarios.
Published Oct 12, 2026
—
| Aspect | Cloud SQL for SQL Server (Google Cloud) | Azure SQL Managed Instance (Microsoft) | AWS RDS for SQL Server (AWS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Usage-based (vCPU/memory + storage + backups + network + SQL Server license components vary by region/config) | Usage-based (vCores/DTU models vary) | Usage-based (instance + storage + license-included or BYOL depending on model) |
| Best For | Teams on GCP that require a managed SQL Server with GCP-native networking, IAM, and managed HA/DR patterns | Organizations requiring high SQL Server instance compatibility within the Azure ecosystem | Organizations on AWS that require a managed SQL Server with AWS-native integration |
| Key Strength | Managed service with GCP ecosystem integration; documented HA/DR features; Active Directory integration option | Messaging around close SQL Server instance compatibility and integration with Microsoft tooling | Mature managed offering; documentation on feature limitations; BYOL and license mobility options |
| Key Weakness | Managed constraints and cost perception; cross-cloud learning curve for teams accustomed to Azure | Potential vendor lock-in and pricing/complexity; not identical to full SQL Server VM control | RDS-specific limitations compared with self-managed SQL Server; potential cost at scale with HA |