3-year cost calculator
Pre-filled for Oracle Database → Microsoft SQL Server. Adjust every figure with your own numbers.
Every figure here is an illustrative estimate, not a vendor quote. Defaults are editable starting points compiled from public information; real, binding pricing comes from the vendor or an authorized distributor. See our methodology.
How this is licensed: Oracle and SQL Server license by the vCPUs of the database server VM. Oracle applies a per-core factor and counts ALL vCPUs unless the workload runs on approved hard-partitioned or Oracle-engineered hardware; SQL Server has a 4-vCPU-per-VM minimum. Set $/vCPU to your edition and core factor.
All figures are illustrative and fully editable — adjust the cost-per-vCPU and migration inputs with your own numbers. Not guaranteed vendor pricing (defaults reviewed May 2026). For a binding quote, use the request form below to reach an authorized distributor or partner.
Quick comparison: Oracle Database vs Microsoft SQL Server
Common trade-offs teams weigh when staying on Oracle Database versus moving to Microsoft SQL Server. These are general, commonly-reported considerations — not statements of fact about any vendor — so check them against your own contract and the vendors' current terms.
- Already in production — no migration effort or risk
- Mature ecosystem with vendor support and SLAs
- Per-core licensing widely regarded as among the most expensive
- Reported audit activity and licensing-compliance exposure
- Hard-partitioning policy can limit virtualization savings
- Steep annual support renewal uplifts are commonly reported
- Ongoing per-core perpetual + support cost to budget for
- Higher vendor lock-in to weigh
- Commercial option with vendor support and SLAs
- Cost model: Per-core + Software Assurance
- Requires a migration (~18 weeks, high effort)
- Per-core + Software Assurance cost
- Higher operational learning curve
Why teams evaluate alternatives to Oracle Database
Reasons commonly cited by users and in public industry coverage for re-evaluating Oracle Database. These are general, reported considerations — not statements of fact about Oracle — and may not reflect your situation or the vendor's current terms. Verify against your own contract before deciding.
- Per-core licensing widely regarded as among the most expensive
- Reported audit activity and licensing-compliance exposure
- Hard-partitioning policy can limit virtualization savings
- Steep annual support renewal uplifts are commonly reported
The migration plan
Roughly 18 weeks for a mid-size estate, in six phases.
Tooling & automation
AWS DMS or native dump-and-load with a schema-conversion review; parallel-run validation before cutover.
OffVendor's wizard pre-fills these scripts with your environment — inventory export, disk/schema conversion, bulk provisioning, and validation.
Frequently asked
Is migrating from Oracle Database to Microsoft SQL Server worth it?
For most teams facing rising Oracle Database costs, yes — Microsoft SQL Server (per-core + software assurance) typically lowers 3-year total cost of ownership, though the right answer depends on workload complexity and in-house skills. Use the calculator to model your own numbers.
How long does a Oracle Database to Microsoft SQL Server migration take?
A typical mid-size estimate is around 18 weeks across six phases — discovery, design, pilot, waved production migration, validation, and decommission. Larger or more complex estates take longer.
What tools are used to migrate from Oracle Database to Microsoft SQL Server?
AWS DMS or native dump-and-load with a schema-conversion review; parallel-run validation before cutover.