SQL Server 2025 has been released and, while the licensing model remains the same, there are few changes worthy of note:
- Developer now comes in “Standard” and “Enterprise” versions.
- SQL Server Standard max compute capacity per instance increased from 24 to 32 cores
- SQL Server Standard max buffer memory increased from 128GB to 256GB
- SQL Server Express now supports a 50GB database size
The first will help with a common problem. With just a single Developer product, it contained all the features of both SQL Server Standard and Enterprise; often I see scenarios where a product/system was inadvertently created with a dependency on an Enterprise feature…hugely increasing the required licensing costs. As you can see, the price difference between Standard and Enterprise is significant:
That price difference is also why the changes to maximums for compute capacity and memory are important. The increased allowances may mean that some SQL Server Enterprise scenarios within your environment could be migrate to Standard edition with a 2025 upgrade. If it’s a 32 core setup, that’s a $176,000 reduction.
Finally, the increased database size for SQL Server 2025 Express may increase its viability for production scenarios – although it retains the single CPU limit.
See a comprehensive list of features here – Editions and Supported Features of SQL Server 2025 – SQL Server | Microsoft Learn
Another change is that SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) is now replaced with PBIRS (Power BI Reporting Services).
PBIRS is available to customers with SQL Server 2025 Standard and Enterprise but for prior versions, PBIRS is SQL Enterprise only and only with active SA.
Cloudy with a chance of Licensing 
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