Used Microsoft SQL Server CALs

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Microsoft

SQL Server 2025 User CAL

Price on request

Microsoft

SQL Server 2025 Device CAL

Price on request

Microsoft

SQL Server 2022 User CAL

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Microsoft

SQL Server 2022 Device CAL

Price on request

Microsoft

SQL Server 2019 User CAL

Price on request

Microsoft

SQL Server 2019 Device CAL

Price on request

Buy used SQL Server CALs for Microsoft SQL Server 2017 and 2019 at a favourable price

A SQL Server CAL (Client Access License) is a licence that grants a device or a user in a system access to the SQL Server software. A Microsoft SQL Server CAL is only required for the Standard Editions of the software. No additional SQL Server CAL is required for core-based licensing of the server (as with the Enterprise Editions of Microsoft SQL Server).

What is a Microsoft SQL Server CAL and what is it required for?

An SQL Server CAL is required to licence access to an SQL Server from Microsoft. It is an essential part of Microsoft's licence policy and is required for the legal operation and use of the server software. Companies that use Microsoft SQL Server in the Standard Edition must acquire a licence for the operation of the server itself as well as a sufficient number of access licences (CALs) and provide proof of this during an audit.

Device CAL or User CAL - differences and similarities

Microsoft's licensing policy provides for two different types of client access licences: User and Device CALs. A Microsoft SQL Server Device CAL licences a device that can be used by multiple users to access and interact with the SQL Server. In contrast, a Microsoft SQL Server User CAL licences a defined user who can access the server from different devices and use its functions.

You are free to choose whether you cover your licence requirements with User and/or Device CALs; it is also possible to combine both CALs. However, this only really makes sense in a few cases. For cost reasons alone, it is almost always better to opt for one type of licensing.

The use of User CALs is usually the cheapest way to provide the required access licences for an SQL Server. With this option, you purchase a Microsoft SQL Server 2019 User CAL for each employee who is to be able to access a Microsoft SQL Server 2019, for example. This allows your employees to use the SQL Server from the office PC as well as on the road with a laptop or from the home office, for example to analyse data and create reports.

Investing in Device CALs is recommended if a large number of employees use a limited number of devices that interact with the SQL Server. In this case, the licence is issued for each computer or end device that is equipped with its own Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Device CAL and then used by different employees. This procedure is, among other things This makes sense if teams work on the same devices in several shifts.

The mixed use of device and user CALs is permitted, but this increases the complexity of managing the CALs. In a mixed environment, there is also a higher risk of under-licensing, which leads to problems and additional costs in the event of an audit by Microsoft, or over-licensing, where companies use more CALs than are actually required.

What is the difference between a used Microsoft SQL Server CAL licence and the purchase of a new licence?

When you purchase used CALs from Soft & Cloud, you receive full, legal and unlimited licences that entitle you to use the respective SQL Server version without restriction. However, with a used Microsoft SQL Server 2019 CAL, you can significantly reduce the cost of licensing, as our sales prices are significantly lower than those of Microsoft. So you save with every single CAL, which has a greater impact the more CALs you need for your company.

Buy used SQL Server CALs securely and cheaply at Soft & Cloud

All licences that you can buy from Soft & Cloud come from companies that no longer need them due to a software changeover or similar, and therefore from transparently traceable, absolutely legal sources. This is why CALs from Soft & Cloud are also reliably accepted in an audit by Microsoft; we even assume liability for this. We were the first German dealer for used software to be certified by TÜVIT for our secure licence transfer, which offers you an important plus in terms of security.

We provide you with the server software itself free of charge with your purchase. The Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio database and server management programme is available to download free of charge directly from Microsoft. This is a free tool that enables various database activities, including the creation and modification of SQL databases, the addition and modification of database objects, the execution of queries or the testing of database objects. The tool can be used with all Microsoft SQL Server versions and does not require a separate licence or CAL.

What is a Microsoft SQL Server CAL?

An SQL Server CAL is an access licence for Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition. You must purchase and provide proof of a CAL for each device or user that accesses a Microsoft SQL Server in order to operate the server legally.

How much does a Microsoft SQL Server CAL cost?

The cost of an SQL Server CAL depends on which version you purchase. A CAL for the current version, Microsoft SQL Server 2022, is more expensive than for an older version (SQL Server 2017 or 2019), but it also entitles you to downgrade, i.e. to use the two previous versions. Since this is software that neither ages nor wears out, you can purchase used CALs from Soft & Cloud with confidence. They are recognised without any problems in every Microsoft audit and are significantly cheaper than new licences from Microsoft.

Can Microsoft SQL Server be used without a CAL?

If you install Microsoft SQL Server directly from Microsoft after downloading it, you can use it for up to 180 days as part of the evaluation without having to purchase a server licence or CAL. However, if you intend to use the programme permanently in your company, you must licence both the server and the users or devices.

What are the differences between a Microsoft SQL Server User CAL and Device CAL?

A user CAL is issued to a specific user and entitles them to access and use the server with any number of devices. A device CAL, on the other hand, is issued for a specific device (e.g. a PC), which can then be used by different users to interact with the SQL Server. For most companies, licensing via user CALs makes more sense, as fewer licences are usually required.

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