SQL vs Cosmos database

Question

I am new to Azure and currently evaluating database options for a project. I need to build a real-time application that requires low latency and can handle high read and write throughput. The application will involve storing user profiles, activity logs, and supporting complex queries for analytics.

Given these requirements, could you provide insights on whether Azure SQL Database or Cosmos DB would be the better choice? Please provide any recommendations on factors to consider, such as scalability, performance, and ease of use.

Thanks

Answer 1

@Rubens Max
Thank you for the question and for using Microsoft Q&A platform.
Here are some of the key differences in between SQL DB and Cosmos DB:

Azure Cosmos DB

Pros:

Low Latency & High Throughput: Cosmos DB is designed for real-time applications with low latency and high throughput.

Global Distribution: It offers global distribution with multi-region writes and reads, ensuring high availability and low latency across the globe.

Multi-Model Support: Supports multiple data models (document, key-value, graph, and column-family) and APIs (SQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, Table).

Scalability: Automatically scales throughput and storage elastically across any number of geographical regions.

Consistency Levels: Offers multiple consistency levels (strong, bounded staleness, session, consistent prefix, eventual) to balance between performance and data consistency.

Cons:

Complexity: May have a steeper learning curve due to its multi-model and multi-API support.

Cost: Can be more expensive, especially with global distribution and high throughput requirements.

Azure SQL Database

Pros:

Relational Database: Fully managed relational database service with built-in intelligence and traditional SQL support.

Ease of Use: Familiar SQL interface and tools, making it easier for those with SQL Server experience.

Security & Compliance: Offers advanced security features and compliance certifications.

Scalability: Supports vertical scaling by increasing compute and storage resources.

Cons:

Latency & Throughput: May not match Cosmos DB’s low latency and high throughput capabilities for real-time applications.

Fixed Schema: Requires a predefined schema, which can be less flexible compared to Cosmos DB’s schema-free model.

https://www.iheavy.com/azure-cosmos-db-vs-azure-sql-database/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/use-cases
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1287968/the-best-database-in-azure-to-manage-real-time-dat
Hope this helps. Do let us know if you have any further queries.

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Answer 2

Below blog provides details w.r.t selection criteria :

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/navigating-azures-database-landscape-strategic-guide-choosing-v4rte#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20SQL%20is%20used,unstructured%20or%20globally%20distributed%20data.

https://thetechguyin.wordpress.com/2023/04/14/azure-cosmos-db-vs-azure-sql-database/

Answer 3

CosmoDB is a "NoSQL" system = "Not only SQL", meats a lot of requirements, but may not all

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoSQL