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The number of users or devices that the system can support with different versions of Microsoft SQL Server

Phan Hoang Trung 0 Reputation points
2025-10-22T07:41:10.1766667+00:00

I am looking for specific information regarding the number of users or devices that the system can support with different versions of Microsoft SQL Server. For an environment with a user count ranging from 200 to 500, can I use Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Express, or do I need to use Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Standard? Could you provide detailed information on how many users and devices Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Express and Standard versions can support?

SQL Server | Other
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  1. Marcin Policht 64,595 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-10-22T11:10:02.26+00:00
    1. SQL Server 2022 Express Edition is the free edition, designed for lightweight or small-scale applications.
    Feature Limit
    Maximum Database Size (per database) 10 GB
    Maximum Memory (used by SQL Server Database Engine) 1.41 GB
    Maximum Compute (per instance) 1 socket or 4 cores, whichever is less
    SQL Agent Not available
    High Availability / Replication Limited (subscriber only)
    Licensing Free — no CALs or per-core licensing needed
    Typical Workload Scale Small apps, dev/test, small departmental databases, local app databases

    There is no explicit limit on the number of users or connections. However, with the resource limits above, SQL Server Express will typically support only a few dozen concurrent users effectively — depending on workload type, query complexity, and hardware. For 200–500 users (even light usage), Express will quickly hit CPU and memory limits, and the 10 GB per database cap is usually a showstopper for production scenarios of that size.

    1. SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition is a paid edition, designed for mid-tier applications, departmental or line-of-business databases.
    Feature Limit
    Maximum Database Size 524 PB (essentially unlimited)
    Maximum Memory (used by SQL Server Database Engine) 128 GB
    Maximum Compute 4 sockets or 24 cores
    SQL Agent / Automation Fully available
    High Availability Basic Always On, log shipping, failover clustering supported
    Licensing Two models: Per Core or Server + CAL (Client Access License)
    Typical Workload Scale Departmental, corporate applications, ERP, CRM, web apps, etc.

    For server + CAL licensing, you license the server, then buy CALs (Client Access Licenses) for each user or device. For example, with 500 users, you'd need 1 server license + 500 User CALs. With Per-core licensing there is no user limit (from the licensing standpoint), licensing cost depends on the number of cores. This is more suitable when user count is large or unknown (e.g., public web apps). Performance-wise, Standard could potentially support a larger number of concurrent users, depending on hardware and workload.

    Feature Express Standard
    Intended Use Small, lightweight apps Departmental / business-critical apps
    Max DB Size 10 GB 524 PB
    Max Memory Used 1.41 GB 128 GB
    Max Cores Used 4 24
    Licensing Free Server+CAL or Per Core
    SQL Agent No Yes
    Expected Concurrent Users < 50 (light workload) 100–1000+ (depends on resources)

    Effectively, for an environment with 200–500 users:

    • SQL Server 2022 Express is not suitable — the CPU, RAM, and DB size caps will bottleneck performance and scalability.
    • SQL Server 2022 Standard could be the appropriate choice (depending on the resources) — it supports larger workloads, background jobs (via SQL Agent), and higher concurrency.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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