6 Best SQL Server Hosting 2025

Looking for the best SQL Server hosting in 2025? Whether you're building enterprise applications or hosting a small business database, choosing the right hosting provider is critical for performance, security, and scalability. In this article, we compare six top options for SQL Server hosting—including VPS, cloud services, and managed hosting providers.

🧾 Quick Comparison Table

Hosting Provider	Type	Starting Price	Key Features	Link
LightNode	VPS Hosting	$7.71/mo	Hourly billing, full control	Visit LightNode
Kamatera	Cloud VPS	$4/mo	Scalable cloud, instant setup	Visit Kamatera
InterServer	VPS/Windows VPS	$10/mo	Supports SQL Server, fast setup	Visit InterServer
Hostwinds	Managed VPS	$12.74/mo	Fully managed Windows hosting	Visit Hostwinds
IONOS	Cloud Server	$2/mo	Low entry price, good support	Visit IONOS
Microsoft Azure	Managed Cloud SQL	Pay-as-you-go	Fully managed, enterprise-ready	Visit Azure

1️⃣ LightNode – Fast and Affordable VPS for SQL Server

LightNode provides high-performance cloud VPS instances across 40+ global locations, ideal for users who want full control over their SQL Server installation. You can install any edition of SQL Server (Express, Standard, or Enterprise) and configure it to your needs.

Why it stands out: Hourly billing lets you test or scale projects without locking into monthly contracts. Perfect for developers or agencies who need flexibility.

Pros:

• Hourly and monthly billing options
• NVMe SSD, low-latency network
• Supports remote desktop & custom ISO install
• Global data center coverage

Cons:

• Requires manual SQL Server installation
• Not a managed solution

🔗 Try LightNode

2️⃣ Kamatera – Cloud Flexibility with Instant Scaling

Kamatera offers customizable Windows cloud servers with support for SQL Server. You can pick your Windows version, server specs, and even deploy SQL Server pre-installed.

Pros:

• Deploy in under 60 seconds
• 13 global data centers
• Highly customizable plans

Cons:

• Slightly complex setup UI
• No free SQL Server license included

🔗 Explore Kamatera

3️⃣ InterServer – Stable VPS for SQL Server on Windows

InterServer provides affordable Windows VPS hosting. While you’ll need to install SQL Server manually, the setup is optimized for Microsoft technologies.

Pros:

• Windows OS support
• No long-term contract
• Good uptime and stability

Cons:

• Fewer global data centers
• Limited scalability

🔗 Check InterServer

4️⃣ Hostwinds – Managed VPS with Windows Support

Hostwinds offers fully managed Windows VPS, suitable for businesses that want to avoid server maintenance. You can add SQL Server and let their team handle technical issues.

Pros:

• Managed support available
• Easy to scale up resources
• Reliable performance

Cons:

• Higher price point
• Requires license for SQL Server

🔗 Visit Hostwinds

5️⃣ IONOS – Low-Cost Entry to Windows VPS

IONOS is a great choice if you're looking for budget-friendly Windows VPS hosting. Ideal for small projects or beginners testing SQL Server.

Pros:

• Starting at $2/month
• Simple management panel
• Solid support in EU regions

Cons:

• Limited customization
• Not ideal for enterprise use

🔗 View IONOS

6️⃣ Microsoft Azure – Fully Managed SQL Server Hosting

Azure SQL Database offers a fully managed SQL Server experience with automatic updates, backups, and scalability. Best suited for enterprise-grade applications and SaaS platforms.

Pros:

• Managed infrastructure
• Advanced security features
• Easy integration with Microsoft ecosystem

Cons:

• Expensive for long-term use
• May be overkill for small projects

🔗 Go to Azure

❓ FAQ: SQL Server Hosting

How to find database host name in SQL Server?

You can find the database host name in SQL Server by running:

SELECT @@SERVERNAME;

How to host a SQL Server?

Choose a hosting platform (VPS or managed cloud).

Install Windows Server (if needed).

Install SQL Server (Express or paid editions).

Configure ports (default is 1433).

Enable remote connections and firewall rules.

How much does it cost to host a SQL Server?

SQL Server Express on VPS: as low as $4–$10/month

Managed SQL Server (Azure/AWS): from $15 to $200+/month depending on specs

Licensing: SQL Server Standard/Enterprise requires a license unless using Express edition

Can I host SQL Server for free?

Yes. Use SQL Server Express Edition, which is free. You can install it on a VPS like LightNode or InterServer.

What's the difference between SQL Server on VPS and managed cloud SQL?

VPS: More control, install your own software, lower cost, but needs technical setup.

Managed SQL: No maintenance required, but more expensive.

Which edition of SQL Server should I use?

Express: Free, limited to 10GB DB, ideal for learning/testing

Standard: Paid, good for mid-size apps

Enterprise: Full features, large-scale apps, high availability