Is SQL Express edition for commercial use? CAL license for SQL Express

Nguyen Duc Tai 20 Reputation points
2023-12-06T00:59:42.6866667+00:00

Good morning, I develop web applications for enterprise, my enterprise uses Microsoft SQL Server Express 2008 R2 version, do I need to purchase a license? And if I have 3 clients connecting to this web application, do I have to buy a CAL license for these 3 clients? Thank you.

SQL Server | Other
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

Accepted answer
  1. Olaf Helper 47,516 Reputation points
    2023-12-06T09:44:42.5233333+00:00

    SQL Server 2008 R2 is very old and out-of-support since a very long time; you should switch to a current version.

    Yes, you can use Express Edition for free, also for commercial is, see

    Microsoft® SQL Server® Express License Terms for Redistribution and Hosting

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. LiHongMSFT-4306 31,576 Reputation points
    2023-12-06T02:04:35.54+00:00

    Hi @Nguyen Duc Tai

    For detailed information about the license issue, you can call 1-800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Or you can go to Volume Licensing Service Center support. Please choose region/language and choose to call or have web.

    Best regards,

    Cosmog Hong


    If the answer is the right solution, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

    Note: Please follow the steps in our Documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as Accepted Answers by the question author, which helps users to know the answer solved the author's problem.