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Microsoft MDS vs SAS MDM comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

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
4th
Average Rating
7.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
23
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
SAS MDM
Ranking in Master Data Management (MDM) Software
12th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
8.2
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Master Data Management (MDM) Software category, the mindshare of Microsoft MDS is 8.2%, down from 11.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAS MDM is 2.4%, up from 2.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Master Data Management (MDM) Software Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Microsoft MDS8.2%
SAS MDM2.4%
Other89.4%
Master Data Management (MDM) Software
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer1524357 - PeerSpot reviewer
Solution Architect at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
Has supported endpoint management while revealing areas where usability and latency can improve
The couple of times we found issues with technical support from Microsoft for Microsoft MDS, they resolved them. The response time and understanding were adequate, though there was always a language barrier between the teams. The teams we worked with were in Korea, and it was sometimes a language issue.
reviewer1320117 - PeerSpot reviewer
SAS Practice Lead at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
When a client wants an analytics tool plus BI, that is when we look to this solution
Having used SAS in the past, in the role that I play, I always push for SAS and all the analytics. But without having done a full comparison with other tools, I do not feel I'm in a position to say that there are capabilities available with SAS that are not in the other tools. But from a practical perspective, I would definitely recommend this solution. I rate it at eight out of 10 because I still want to explore it a bit more. I have only used it for three clients, and not as a full-blown MDM asset. If you are running a complex use case, I may or may not be in a position to justify the use of this product at this point in time. I would be 80 percent comfortable doing so and that's why I'm giving it a score of eight.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"We used Azure Cloud service to set it up, and it was very easy to setup and configure."
"It has been 200% useful in our organization."
"The pricing of this solution is good."
"It is very easy to deploy and provision a machine."
"Technical support is very good."
"The best thing about it is that it comes with the Microsoft package."
"This product provides a robust, flexible, and secure way for my organization and our customers to manage master data without the need to write code."
"The advantage of Microsoft MDS is that it's so handy, so customizable, and easy to use."
"One good feature is that SAS MDM comes bundled with the entire stack so we are in a position to place it with the client."
"One good feature is that SAS MDM comes bundled with the entire stack so we are in a position to place it with the client. So when a client wants an analytics tool plus BI, and they want to bring in other elements, that is when we look to MDM, because it is a single vendor."
 

Cons

"Microsoft MDS is outdated and lacks modern capabilities."
"From my understanding, MS, as of 2021, will not maintain the product going forward."
"The Microsoft license cost could be lower."
"The duplication feature is not so good."
"Microsoft MDS' language should be simple so everyone can use it easily."
"More generic related things can be included in the services."
"The business rules definition interface could be improved."
"The stability could be improved."
"Only having SAS and MDM is not the right choice of tools because the likes of Informatica and Talend have better capabilities as far as I've seen."
"The initial setup was slightly complex. We did face a couple of issues such as the SAML integration not being very smooth. And linking communication with the metadata server was a bit of a challenge. Eventually, we were able to configure it properly."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Microsoft MDS is an expensive solution."
"With Microsoft, we buy everything though an agreement, so we purchase volume licensing every year."
"The pricing of this solution is good."
"Product licensing is very complicated. It would be helpful to have an online calculator to estimate the cost of a license."
"SAP is more expensive than Microsoft."
"The solution does require a license and we have enterprise licenses."
"MDS is a part of the SQL Server enterprise license. I am not aware of any additional costs."
"I would like to see better pricing."
Information not available
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
13%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Media Company
8%
Computer Software Company
8%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business9
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise15
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 was pretty affordable. We implemented the solution without a problem.
What needs improvement with Microsoft MDS?
I cannot really give specifics about disadvantages. From what we have seen, speaking to customers, Microsoft MDS was sometimes a bit slow. The frustration they had was just around usability and use...
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Also Known As

Microsoft Master Data Services, Microsoft MDM, Microsoft SQL Server Master Data Services, MS MDS
SAS Master Data Management, DataFlux qMDM
 

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
Aegon, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, Ausgrid, Bank of Queensland, Florida Department of Corrections, Generali Hellas, Gitanjali Group, Gloucestershire Constabulary, GS Home Shopping, HealthPartners, The Travel Corporation, Transitions Optical, Triad Analytic Solutions
Find out what your peers are saying about TIBCO, SAP, Qlik and others in Master Data Management (MDM) Software. Updated: May 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.