22-25 April 2026 
Questioning My SQL Server Faith… So You Don’t Have To
Proposed session for SQLBits 2026TL; DR
With PostgreSQL rising and even SQL Server veterans backing alternatives, is SQL Server still the right choice? This session revisits its strengths—performance, scale, tooling—and compares them to open source to guide your next project.
Session Details
SQL Server is facing fierce competition from open-source databases like PostgreSQL, and even long-time advocates, including former MVPs and SQL Server celebrities, are recommending alternatives. Even I, under this mounting pressure, find myself questioning my long-established SQL Server faith. So if you’re starting a new project, is SQL Server still the right choice?
In this session, we’ll explore the features that set SQL Server apart, from performance and scalability to its top-notch tooling. We’ll compare these strengths against what open-source platforms have to offer, so you’ll walk away with the insights you need to confidently choose SQL Server for your next application.
In this session, we’ll explore the features that set SQL Server apart, from performance and scalability to its top-notch tooling. We’ll compare these strengths against what open-source platforms have to offer, so you’ll walk away with the insights you need to confidently choose SQL Server for your next application.
3 things you'll get out of this session
Evaluate whether SQL Server is still a strong choice for new projects amid growing open-source competition
Highlight SQL Server’s key strengths, including performance, scalability, and tooling
Compare SQL Server capabilities with open-source alternatives to support informed decisions
Speakers
Gianluca Sartori's previous sessions
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