Microsoft is entering a new era for its database platform. SQL Server 2025 is now available for purchase, bringing advanced AI-driven capabilities and hybrid cloud integration. At the same time, SQL Server 2022 is approaching its End of Sale.
These updates are particularly important for organizations currently running SQL Server or planning new deployments, as they directly impact purchasing decisions, system expansion plans, and long-term IT roadmaps.
We outline the availability timeline, end-of-sale dates, pricing clarity, and key improvements introduced in SQL Server 2025 to help your organization plan ahead with confidence.
Key timeline:
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- January 20, 2026: Last day to purchase SQL Server 2022.
- January 21, 2026: SQL Server 2022 reaches End of Sale. After this date, only SQL Server 2025 will be available.
- January 2026 Price List: Both SQL Server 2022 and 2025 will appear, but the transition happens mid-month.
SQL Server 2022 will reach End of Sale on January 21, 2026.
Microsoft will stop selling new licenses for SQL Server 2022 after January 21, 2026. Existing customers can continue using SQL Server 2022 under their current agreements, but no new purchases will be possible.
You can still buy SQL Server 2022 until January 20, 2026, but after that date, only SQL Server 2025 will be offered.
This timeline is particularly relevant for organizations that anticipate additional licensing needs, are planning infrastructure expansions, or require consistency with existing SQL Server 2022 environments.
Why Upgrade to SQL Server 2025? What’s new?
SQL Server 2025 Pricing
Pricing continuity is an important consideration for organizations planning upgrades or new deployments. SQL Server 2025 will keep the same pricing as SQL Server 2022, allowing organizations to evaluate their next steps without added licensing cost pressure.
This means:
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- No price increase for the new version.
- You can upgrade to SQL Server 2025 without additional licensing cost compared to 2022.
What’s New in SQL Server 2025?
SQL Server 2025 is the latest release of Microsoft’s enterprise database platform and is designed to support modern workloads across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. It continues Microsoft’s long-standing focus on security, performance, and availability, while preparing organizations for future analytics and AI-driven use cases.
SQL Server 2025 is now available for purchase starting December 17, 2025.
SQL Server 2025 is designed to support AI-driven and advanced analytics scenarios, enabling organizations to unlock more value from existing data while maintaining security and control. The platform supports modern data applications without requiring disruptive architectural changes.
The new release builds on SQL Server’s performance foundation, delivering improvements that support higher concurrency, more efficient resource utilization, and greater scalability for enterprise workloads.
Security and reliability remain core priorities in SQL Server 2025. The platform continues to strengthen protections for mission-critical data and supports compliance requirements across complex IT environments.
With flexible deployment options, seamless connectivity with Azure Arc and Microsoft Fabric. SQL Server 2025 makes it easier for organizations to modernize infrastructure while maintaining consistent operations across on-premises and cloud environments and have real-time data streaming for analytics and ETL workflows.
Performance Breakthroughs: Preliminary benchmarks show SQL Server 2025 running on AMD EPYC processors with HPE hardware sets a new record for 10TB workloads and delivers a 4% improvement in price-performance for 3TB workloads.
Developer Productivity: Advanced JSON handling, regex support, and REST API calls directly from T-SQL.
Product Changes in SQL Server 2025
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- Standard Edition:
- Resource limits increased to 32 cores and 256 GB memory.
- Resource Governor now available in Standard.
- Standard Developer Edition (free) offers full feature parity for development and testing.
- Power BI Report Server entitlement included for all editions except Express.
- Express Edition:
- Maximum database size increased to 50 GB per database.
- Express Advanced consolidated into a single unified Express edition.
- Web Edition Discontinued:
- SQL Server 2022 is the last version with Web edition, supported until January 2033.
- Recommended migration: Azure SQL for cost-effective, scalable web workloads or upgrade to Standard edition for on-premises environments.
- Standard Edition:
Action Plan for Your Organization
With the release of SQL Server 2025 and the upcoming end of sale for SQL Server 2022, organizations now have greater clarity on Microsoft’s database roadmap. These changes provide an opportunity to review current environments, align future deployments with the latest platform, and plan ahead without pricing uncertainty.
Organizations should take this time to assess their existing SQL Server landscape, identify any upcoming licensing requirements before the SQL Server 2022 end-of-sale deadline, and begin evaluating SQL Server 2025 as the long-term platform for new deployments and upgrades. Early planning helps ensure continuity, reduces last-minute procurement risks, and supports a smoother transition to the next generation of SQL Server.
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- Review Current Usage: If you need additional SQL Server 2022 licenses, purchase before January 20, 2026.
- Plan Your Upgrade: Take advantage of SQL Server 2025’s new features and long-term support.
- Budget & Timeline: Pricing remains the same, so consider upgrading early.
ITM – A Trusted Partner for Your SQL Server Journey
Navigating the transition to SQL Server 2025 and planning around the SQL Server 2022 end-of-sale timeline can raise important questions. At ITM, we provide clear guidance on licensing options, structured upgrade planning, and practical technical readiness helping you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Get in touch with ITM today for all-in-one support from strategic planning to hands-on technical execution to help your organization navigate SQL Server changes securely, efficiently, and with confidence.
Start planning now to maximize benefits and avoid disruption when SQL Server 2022 retires now!
