Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Microsoft MDS vs Riversand MDMCenter comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft MDS
Ranking in Master Data Management (MDM) Software
2nd
Average Rating
7.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.9
Number of Reviews
22
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Riversand MDMCenter
Ranking in Master Data Management (MDM) Software
14th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
3
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Master Data Management (MDM) Software category, the mindshare of Microsoft MDS is 12.7%, down from 13.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Riversand MDMCenter is 1.3%, down from 2.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Master Data Management (MDM) Software
 

Featured Reviews

Satyam Saxena - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced data management and cost effective with flexible integration capabilities
If Microsoft MDS were part of Azure, it would be significantly more helpful. Additionally, integrating fuzzy duplication within MDS itself, rather than relying on SSIS, would streamline operations. The current requirement to store data in Azure tables after processing it in MDS, due to its lack of direct Azure integration, is a drawback.
CR
A stable solution with multiple workflow capabilities, but lightweight DAM capabilities and lacking a good search and match feature
The solution does not have a good match and search capability. It only has a basic, exact match search. Any upgrades to the search and match capability, seeing non-exact or fuzzy matches for example, would be good improvements. Also, the DAM solution provided by Riversand is comparatively lightweight, so you are still dependent on a third-party DAM solution provider, like Team Seven, to make it a complete solution. Some improvement in the DAM area would be a major help. From a data quality perspective, there are not a lot of data quality rules that can be enabled. Also, there is no specific data quality engine available, unlike Informatica, where you have the option of leveraging the PIM tool for data quality capabilities. Plus, you can leverage apps out of IDQ and make them available in PIM. If these kinds of options were made available in Riversand, they would definitely be welcome features.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The ease of use is valuable."
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft MDS is its compatibility with ETL tools like SSIS, which simplifies operations for end-users."
"More generic related things can be included in the services."
"Compared to other databases, it is easier to manage and administer."
"It has a very good feature called Excel plug-in. You just have to install the plug-in, and then it directly connects to the MDS instance where you can maintain and manage your data and publish it right through Excel. You don't need to go to the front end to make any changes. It has easy integration with SQL Server, and you can use SSIS to do the ETLs. It is a part of the Microsoft stack. It works with most of the Microsoft stuff."
"Unlike specialized tools, MDS is adaptable for various industries, making it a versatile choice for master data management."
"The best thing about it is that it comes with the Microsoft package."
"What I like about Microsoft, is that it has a huge database with many users."
"Has a good user interface and the ability to update large sets of products quickly."
"I like their matching feature, and the survivorship rules are very strong. I also like their out-of-box reports, data quality dashboards, and more. Those are also very handy and helpful. Internally, I like the kind of configurations that we can create, validations, and enhancements. Those configurations are pretty straightforward and useful. It's a user-friendly tool that is very cool."
"It's a stable solution. I have no complaints."
 

Cons

"JMD repositories have records that come in thousands and millions, which takes a long time to process."
"If Microsoft MDS were part of Azure, it would be significantly more helpful."
"The solution could be better integrated into Microsoft's other products."
"Stability can be fragile at times. If you are not attentive or make a mistake, it can cause problems."
"Microsoft MDS isn't getting strong support because Microsoft is focusing more on cloud solutions."
"There are occasions when the solution maintains SD and we get duplications of MDS."
"Microsoft MDS' language should be simple so everyone can use it easily."
"Microsoft MDS is outdated and lacks modern capabilities."
"The solution does not have a good match and search capability."
"Integration could be better. Riversand is majorly focusing on only the MDM hub part. They don't have their own integration platform. We have to rely on a third-party integration partner. They say this is the format, and it's the client's responsibility to bring the data into their required format. They have to have an integration partner and develop their integration capabilities. It's not so flexible to read any data format or system, for example, SAP. They don't have a connector."
"The ability to create bespoke workflows could be improved."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"SAP is more expensive than Microsoft."
"MDS is a part of the SQL Server enterprise license. I am not aware of any additional costs."
"With Microsoft, we buy everything though an agreement, so we purchase volume licensing every year."
"Product licensing is very complicated. It would be helpful to have an online calculator to estimate the cost of a license."
"The pricing of this solution is good."
"The solution does require a license and we have enterprise licenses."
"Microsoft MDS is an expensive solution."
"I would like to see better pricing."
"Riversand MDMCenter isn't expensive. I believe their price is in the mid-range."
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Master Data Management (MDM) Software solutions are best for your needs.
857,162 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Financial Services Firm
13%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Healthcare Company
8%
Manufacturing Company
19%
Computer Software Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Media Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft MDS?
More generic related things can be included in the services.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft MDS?
Microsoft MDS is free. Currently, there is no pricing concern with the tool.
What needs improvement with Microsoft MDS?
Microsoft MDS is outdated and lacks modern capabilities. It is too slow and does not support automated mapping or AI-based functionalities. Although I created Python scripts for some machine learni...
Ask a question
Earn 20 points
 

Also Known As

Microsoft Master Data Services, Microsoft MDM, Microsoft SQL Server Master Data Services, MS MDS
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

ETA a.s., Apeejay Surrendra Group, Blue Star Infotech, Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, New Belgium Brewing
Topco, PC Connection, Balsam Brands, Nivea, Eucerin, Tine, Schneider Electric, Miller, ExxonMobil, Baxter, ConocoPhillips, Cameron International, Chevron, Husky Energy, Saint-Gobain, Fingerhut
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft MDS vs. Riversand MDMCenter and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
857,162 professionals have used our research since 2012.