Dhananjay Kumar

There are two Data Base Editions in SQL Azure.

Web Edition Relational Database includes:

1. · Up to 5 GB of T-SQL based relational database*
2. · Self-managed DB, auto high availability and fault tolerance
3. · Support existing tools like Visual Studio, SSMS, SSIS, BCP
4. · Best suited for Web application, Departmental custom apps

Business Edition DB includes:

1. · Up to 50 GB of T-SQL based relational database*
2. · Self-managed DB, auto high availability and fault tolerance
3. · Additional features in the future like auto-partition, CLR, fanouts etc
4. · Support existing tools like Visual Studio, SSMS, SSIS, BCP
5. · Best suited for Saas ISV apps, custom Web application, Departmental apps

While creating Database in SQL Azure, we can choose either of two options

If we choose Web Edition then Maximum size we can choose is 5 GB

If we choose Business Edition then Maximum size we can choose is 50 GB

Billing scheme for both edition is different. 

1. 1. Web edition databases are billed at the 1GB rate for databases below 1GB of total data or at 5GB rate for databases between 1GB and 5GB size.
2. 2. Business edition databases are billed at 10GB increments (10GB, 20, 30, 40 and 50GB).

In a particular day billing is done on the pick DB size. To understand billing better let us take an example, suppose there is Web Edition DB with maximum size 5 GB. On a particular day if database usages are 800MB then you will be charged for 1 GB on that day. If next day DB usage increases to 2 GB then you would be charge for 5 GB. Whereas in Business edition charging window is of 10 GB.