Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance are both fully managed relational database services provided by Microsoft, but they have some key differences in terms of features and use cases.
Azure SQL Database is a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offering that provides a fully managed and scalable relational database service in the cloud. It is best suited for building modern cloud-based applications that require flexible scaling, high availability, and built-in security features. Azure SQL Database is based on the latest version of SQL Server engine and provides all the standard features of a relational database, such as support for ACID transactions, SQL querying, and database management.
Azure SQL Managed Instance, on the other hand, is a newer offering that provides a fully managed version of SQL Server in the cloud. It is designed for organizations that need to migrate their on-premises SQL Server workloads to the cloud, but still require full compatibility with SQL Server features and APIs. Azure SQL Managed Instance provides all the features of SQL Server, including support for distributed transactions, SQL Server Agent, and CLR integration. It also provides a virtual network environment for greater security and easier integration with on-premises resources.
The main differences between Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance are:
Compatibility: Azure SQL Managed Instance provides full compatibility with SQL Server, while Azure SQL Database supports a subset of SQL Server features.
Virtual Network Integration: Azure SQL Managed Instance supports integration with a virtual network for secure access to on-premises resources, while Azure SQL Database is accessible from the public internet.
Deployment: Azure SQL Database is deployed as a PaaS offering, while Azure SQL Managed Instance is deployed as a managed instance of SQL Server on dedicated hardware.
Migration: Azure SQL Database is designed for new cloud-based applications, while Azure SQL Managed Instance is designed for migrating existing on-premises SQL Server workloads to the cloud.
In summary, Azure SQL Database is a fully managed cloud-based relational database service that provides high scalability and built-in security features, while Azure SQL Managed Instance is a fully managed version of SQL Server that provides full compatibility with SQL Server features and easier migration of on-premises SQL Server workloads to the cloud.
