SQL Server in the Cloud Options

There are many SQL Server choices available to us as database architects. This diagram shows the Microsoft database stack available choices and the business drivers that affect the choice of cost versus administrative overhead.

An article SQL Server in Azure: Compare PaaS (SQLDB) andIaaS (Virtual Machine)

explains in more depth about the cloud options of SQL Server in Azure (IaaS) and Azure SQL Database. Igor Pagliai included this useful table.

Topic	Azure   SQLDB (PaaS)	SQL   Server VM (IaaS)
Features	Less features than box	Full box product features
Performances	Max 1750 DTU in Premium Tier	Depends on VM SKU/Storage
DB Size	Max 1TB in Premium Tier (P11)	64TB on G-SERIES
Workload	Sizing by average usage	Sizing based on peaks
High-Availability	Built-in by platform	Manual configuration by AlwaysOn AG
Fault-Handling	Necessary fault-handling &   retry	Recommended fault-handling &   retry
Locality	No co-location with application	Co-located by VMs and VNETs
Segregation	Internet exposed endpoint	Internal private endpoint
Versioning	No control on upgrades	Full control over DB upgrade
TCO	Very low, almost self-managed	High (as on-premise)
Administration	No full-time DBA required	Full staffed DBA required
Management	Easy to manage many DBs	Complex to manage many DBs/VMs
Scale-Out	Tools & Frameworks available	No easy scale-out
Configuration	No setup customization	Full access to OS and SQL
Authentication	Only SQL standard authentication	SQL standard and integrated
Security	No Fixed IP available	Fixed IP possible at VM level
Backup	Backup files not accessible	Full control of backup files