Tech Matchups: Azure SQL Database Serverless vs Provisioned
Overview
Picture your database as a cosmic engine, where compute models drive performance. Azure SQL Database Serverless, launched in 2019, is the adaptive navigator—a serverless compute tier that auto-scales and pauses, used by 15% of Azure SQL customers (2024).
Azure SQL Database Provisioned, introduced in 2014, is the steady titan—a fixed-capacity compute tier for predictable workloads, powering 25% of Azure SQL deployments.
Both are relational database powerhouses, but their approaches differ: Serverless optimizes for sporadic workloads, while Provisioned ensures consistent performance. They’re vital for apps from e-commerce to analytics, balancing cost with stability.
Section 1 - Compute Model and Setup
Serverless auto-scales—example: deploy a database:
Provisioned uses fixed vCores—example: deploy a database:
Serverless scales from 0.5-40 vCores and pauses after inactivity—think handling 1,000 sporadic queries/day. Provisioned allocates fixed vCores (e.g., 4) for steady performance—think 10,000 queries/hour. Serverless is dynamic, Provisioned static.
Scenario: Serverless powers a dev/test DB; Provisioned runs a production ERP. Choose by workload pattern.
Section 2 - Performance and Scalability
Serverless scales dynamically—example: 1,000 queries spike to 10,000 with ~10ms latency, auto-scaling in ~1s. Pauses after 1-hour inactivity, resuming in ~30s.
Provisioned delivers fixed performance—example: 10,000 queries/hour at ~5ms latency with 4 vCores. Scales by manually adjusting vCores or tier.
Scenario: Serverless handles unpredictable IoT data; Provisioned supports a retail app. Serverless excels in flexibility, Provisioned in consistency—pick by predictability.
Section 3 - Cost Models
Serverless is per vCore-second—example: 1 vCore-hour at ~$0.10 costs ~$72/month for 10 hours/day. Free tier includes 100GB storage.
Provisioned is per vCore-hour—example: 4 vCores at ~$0.34/hour cost ~$244/month for 24/7. No pausing, so costs are fixed.
Practical case: Serverless suits variable workloads; Provisioned fits constant apps. Serverless is usage-based, Provisioned fixed—optimize by runtime.
Section 4 - Use Cases and Ecosystem
Serverless excels in dynamic apps—example: 1,000 daily queries for a mobile app. Provisioned shines in steady apps—think 10,000 queries/hour for a CRM.
Ecosystem-wise, both integrate with Azure Functions and Power Apps. Serverless pairs with Event Grid for event-driven apps; Provisioned with Azure Analysis Services for BI.
Practical case: Serverless runs a startup’s DB; Provisioned powers an enterprise app. Choose by workload stability.
Section 5 - Comparison Table
| Aspect | Serverless | Provisioned |
|---|---|---|
| Compute | Auto-scale, pause | Fixed vCores |
| Performance | ~10ms | ~5ms |
| Cost | ~$0.10/vCore-hour | ~$0.34/vCore-hour |
| Scalability | Dynamic | Manual |
| Best For | Sporadic apps | Steady apps |
Serverless suits variable workloads; Provisioned excels in consistent apps. Choose by usage pattern.
Conclusion
Azure SQL Database Serverless and Provisioned are relational database powerhouses with distinct strengths. Serverless offers auto-scaling and pausing for cost-efficient, sporadic workloads, ideal for startups or dev/test environments. Provisioned delivers fixed, predictable performance for steady, high-throughput apps, perfect for enterprise systems. Consider workload pattern (variable vs. constant), performance needs (flexible vs. stable), and cost constraints.
For dynamic apps, Serverless shines; for mission-critical systems, Provisioned delivers. Pair Serverless with Functions or Provisioned with Power BI for optimal results. Test both—Serverless’s free tier or Provisioned’s pay-as-you-go model make prototyping easy.