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Microsoft MDS vs Semarchy xDM 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
4th
Average Rating
7.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
23
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Semarchy xDM
Ranking in Master Data Management (MDM) Software
6th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
3
Ranking in other categories
Cloud Master Data Management (MDM) (5th)
 

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 Semarchy xDM is 11.5%, up from 7.3% 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%
Semarchy xDM11.5%
Other80.3%
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.
Syed-Hasan - PeerSpot reviewer
Director at Inspiring Software
Quick MVP development facilitated by low-code data management
Semarchy xDM's unique selling point is its quick turnover time, allowing for the rapid development of a proof of concept or minimum viable product. Its low-code approach, essentially a wrapper for SQL, enables easy and quick development. The core features include validation business rules, deduplication, merging, and consolidation from multiple sources.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"It gives you the flexibility to have in-depth experience; it allows you to collect data and save it as a golden record, and you have the flexibility for data stewardship."
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft MDS is its management."
"What I like about Microsoft, is that it has a huge database with many users."
"The tool is easy to use."
"It has been 200% useful in our organization."
"I like the ease of deployment, as it is very easy to deploy and provision a machine, and I like the analytics and that I can run them, which makes it easier to do analytics compared to our previous tools, while Microsoft BI is quite good."
"One of the main features I have found useful is the integration with Azure active directory."
"One of the main features I have found useful is the integration with Azure active directory."
"The flexibility of Semarchy xDM allows for possible deployment on-premises, in the cloud, or both."
"Their documentation is excellent."
"Semarchy xDM's unique selling point is its quick turnover time, allowing for the rapid development of a proof of concept or minimum viable product."
"You get a big bang for the buck with Semarchy."
 

Cons

"Most of the Microsoft partners, especially digitally, are separate. Personnel are business people, and they do not have technical expertise, so you end up as a company spending a lot of money training your staff and your engineers."
"The Microsoft license cost could be lower."
"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 isn't getting strong support because Microsoft is focusing more on cloud solutions."
"Microsoft MDS is outdated and lacks modern capabilities."
"The only drawback is that it does not have the matching, merging, and all true MDM components."
"From my understanding, MS, as of 2021, will not maintain the product going forward."
"They need to make the workflow more enhanced or dynamic in its functionality."
"There is room for improvement in terms of local support."
"They need to make the workflow more enhanced or dynamic in its functionality."
"There is room for improvement in the developer experience, particularly for those who are SQL proficient, as having more direct access would be beneficial."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."
"The solution does require a license and we have enterprise licenses."
"The pricing of this solution is good."
"Microsoft MDS is an expensive solution."
"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."
"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%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
10%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Retailer
5%
 

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...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Semarchy xDM?
The pricing model is based on the number of golden records. It is considered reasonable to good compared to other products that might be more expensive.
What needs improvement with Semarchy xDM?
There is room for improvement in the developer experience, particularly for those who are SQL proficient, as having more direct access would be beneficial. Additionally, configuring Semarchy xDM re...
What is your primary use case for Semarchy xDM?
The primary use case of Semarchy xDM is as a data management tool, specifically for master data management and reference data. It provides a platform to standardize information during mergers and a...
 

Also Known As

Microsoft Master Data Services, Microsoft MDM, Microsoft SQL Server Master Data Services, MS MDS
Semarchy Intelligent MDM
 

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
DiamondStream, Oakley, Araymond, EBU/Eurovision, Groupe Roullier, BOSE, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Putnam Investments, BAE Systems, Mundi Pharma, Merck, Elsevier, CMA CGM
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft MDS vs. Semarchy xDM and other solutions. Updated: April 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.