Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs SAP Crystal Reports comparison

Microsoft and SAP are both solutions in the Reporting category. Microsoft is ranked #6 with an average rating of 7.6, while SAP is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.4. Microsoft holds a 3.4% mindshare in RT, compared to SAP’s 2.8% mindshare. Additionally, 84% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of SAP users who would recommend it.

Microsoft SQL Server Report...

Read 20 Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services reviews

2,702 Views
1,727 Comparison Views

84% willing to recommend

SAP Crystal Reports

Read 49 SAP Crystal Reports reviews

1,752 Views
1,348 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Microsoft SQL Server Report...

SAP Crystal Reports

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

SAP Crystal Reports and Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services are both prominent tools in data reporting. SAP Crystal Reports has an upper hand for pixel-perfect static reporting and flexibility across multiple data sources, while Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services stands out for seamless SQL integration and ease of use.

Features: SAP Crystal Reports offers pixel-perfect static reporting, customizable options with advanced formulas, and ease of linking tables. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services provides efficient database connectivity, visually appealing reports, and straightforward deployment.

Room for Improvement: SAP Crystal Reports could simplify the interface for beginners, improve graphical visualizations, and enhance multi-source capabilities. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services may benefit from better visualization options, cross-platform compatibility, and performance improvements for complex reporting tasks.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SAP Crystal Reports is suitable for on-premises deployment, whereas Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services offers cloud solutions. SAP users often rely on community forums for support, while Microsoft provides a comprehensive support structure despite cost concerns.

Pricing and ROI: SAP Crystal Reports is often costly, with high licensing fees yet potential for notable ROI. In contrast, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services has a more flexible cost structure, especially appealing for Microsoft users, although pricing can impact enterprise settings.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs. SAP Crystal Reports Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft SQL Servering Services vs. SAP Crystals

April 2025

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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 SQL Server Report...

Ranking in Reporting

6th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SAP Crystal Reports

Ranking in Reporting

8th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Reporting category, the mindshare of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is 3.4%, down from 4.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP Crystal Reports is 2.8%, down from 3.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Reporting

Featured Reviews

Gnanavel-Chakkarapani

Junior Consultant at CMA CGM

Offers useful templates but needs to improve the connectivity offered

In Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, not much of the interface part is used. With Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, its users face issues with the interface after they use Excel or create Microsoft SSIS Packages. The tool's interface is an area of concern requiring improvement. There needs to be an improvement in the product's connectivity so that the tool can connect easily with other third-party databases. In the dashboard, drag and drop functionality needs to improve, especially when compared to other tools like IBM Cognos Analytics and Qlik Sense. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is useful only for standard reports. In IBM Cognos Analytics, query studio can be used by users to drag the data and simply download the reports, so the user doesn't need to have any technical knowledge like developers. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is to be improved to offer features like query Studio, which is provided in IBM Cognos Analytics.

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MVD Prasad

Assistant General Manager at Soma Enterprise

Helps analyze your data by creating richly formatted, pixel-perfect, and multiple reports from virtually any data source, delivered in over a dozen formats

It has significantly enhanced security features, especially when compared to the standard security features of the earlier PeerSpot version I purchased. I've observed improvements in security, and overall, it's quite commendable. Regarding potential enhancements for the next release of this solution, I haven't closely examined SAP Crystal Reports 53. I've only encountered it briefly, perhaps once or twice. However, I anticipate that it likely offers advanced features distinct from its predecessor. I believe there may be notable improvements and additions in the latest version, and I look forward to exploring them further.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"It is scalable."

"The solution is known for its robust security features."

"The initial setup is easy."

"The solution's features are all just wrapped up in one nice easy package. I don't need a lot of toolsets to get everything I need done."

"I'm very satisfied with the customer service. And usually, whenever we have any issue or details, we get to the person for the support. I'm really satisfied with the service. Within a few minutes or within a few hours, the support person will be available."

"I like Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services' automated reporting feature."

"With SQL Server Reporting Services, I can create reports and printable reports, known as paginated reports."

"It is a stable solution."

More Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services pros

"SAP Crystal Reports offers a plethora of features, many of which were available much earlier than in the Crystal Reports we previously used. We extensively use its capabilities for generating general reports, working with Kaspersky data, and even incorporating images into our reports. The range of functions available in SAP Crystal Reports is diverse, and we leverage them across various systems for our needs."

"It is an user-friendly solution."

"We use SAP Crystal Reports for operational reporting."

"The most valuable feature is that from a user's point of view, it is easy to use and requires just a simple click to generate a report."

"The overall environment is the best. Data management, graphs, and layout – everything is the best, in my opinion."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is a fantastic way of generating reports."

"I find Crystal Reports very easy to use, even for a non-technical person."

"The initial setup of the solution is pretty easy."

Cons

"Tableau is more user-friendly because it doesn't need to do any extra programming. It has drag-and-drop functionality."

"In this solution, the cost should be reduced for the enterprise edition."

"It would be really nice to have better integration between the solution and Power BI."

"Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services needs to improve performance."

"There is room for improvement in the pricing model."

"It is not easy to integrate the product with other tools in the market."

"Sometimes, we need to make sure that the configuration stays consistent across the reporting instances. They all connect to the same database. So, it shares that same backend, but the reporting services itself can also be configured. On the application level, for reporting level. And it is, based on my own experience, it is a manual effort to make sure that the reporting servers are configured the same across the environment."

"Technical support is in minor need of improvement so that they can solve problems in a more timely manner."

More Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services cons

"Maybe some Power BI-related features could be added, like dashboards or direct editing in reports."

"The financing part needs improvement."

"SAP Crystal Reports has some compatibility issues with third-party products."

"It has significantly enhanced security features, especially when compared to the standard security features of the earlier PeerSpot version I purchased. I've observed improvements in security, and overall, it's quite commendable. Regarding potential enhancements for the next release of this solution, I haven't closely examined SAP Crystal Reports 53. I've only encountered it briefly, perhaps once or twice. However, I anticipate that it likely offers advanced features distinct from its predecessor. I believe there may be notable improvements and additions in the latest version, and I look forward to exploring them further."

"A real improvement would be a simpler system that allows users to play with the visualization without needing specialized skills and code."

"SAP Crystal Reports should provide better support for dynamic connectors."

"If at all possible, a little bit of improvement on the analytical side is needed."

"There could be improvements made to the analytics capabilities."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is free to use for developers."

"Value-wise, the solution's pricing is good for the price that we pay."

"The product pricing is reasonable in terms of suitable features for business."

"The tool's licensing costs are expensive."

"The solution is expensive."

"The pricing is high."

"The solution is cheaper than its alternatives."

"The price is pretty good."

"This product costs a lot of money."

"The cost of licensing can be a significant factor to consider when upgrading or transitioning to a new version of SAP Crystal Reports. It's important to evaluate the benefits and features offered by the new version against the associated costs to ensure it aligns with your organization's needs and budget."

"SAP Crystal Reports is a very expensive solution."

"I feel that SAP Crystal Reports is a reasonably priced product."

"We pay fifteen hundred dollars as licensing fee."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

13%

Government

11%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services?

I mainly use the solution for the ease of reporting and for executive dashboards.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services?

I don't recall the current pricing as it changes frequently.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services?

They could improve the scalability and stability of SQL Server Reporting Services. I haven't used it recently, so I can't provide detailed suggestions on improvements.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SAP Crystal Reports?

Maybe some Power BI-related features could be added, like dashboards or direct editing in reports. We use query language to build reports; this area could be improved more.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SAP Crystal Reports?

We use SAP Crystal Reports for reporting. We use it for financial reports like statements of accounts, trial balances, and other management reports, salary slips, and many other purposes.

See all answers

What do you like most about SAP Crystal Reports?

We use SAP Crystal Reports for operational reporting.

See all answers

Comparisons

TIBCO Jaspersoft vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 19% of the time

Tableau vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 16% of the time

IBM Cognos vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 14% of the time

Oracle OBIEE vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 12% of the time

QlikView vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 7% of the time

More Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Competitors

Microsoft Power BI vs SAP Crystal Reports

Compared 19% of the time

TIBCO Jaspersoft vs SAP Crystal Reports

Compared 18% of the time

IBM Cognos vs SAP Crystal Reports

Compared 11% of the time

MicroStrategy vs SAP Crystal Reports

Compared 7% of the time

Oracle OBIEE vs SAP Crystal Reports

Compared 6% of the time

More SAP Crystal Reports Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft SQL Servering Services

May 2025

Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services report

Download Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services product report

Buyer's Guide

SAP Crystals

April 2025

Download SAP Crystal Reports product report

Also Known As

SQL Server Reporting Services, Microsoft SSRS, SSRS, MS SQL Server Reporting Services

No data available

Overview

At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.

We do business in 170 countries and are made up of 114,000 passionate employees dedicated to fulfilling our mission of helping you and your organization achieve more.

Microsoft

Turn information from almost any data source into a sophisticated, interactive report with SAP Crystal Reports. This powerful, user-friendly application for small businesses and departments can help you deliver key insights to the right decision maker, at the right time, in the right format.

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SAP

Sample Customers

CMS Wire, The New York Times

City of Buenos Aires, ASR Group, Citrix, EarlySense, Usha International Limited, Automotive Resources International (ARI), LivePerson, Coelba (Grupo Neoenergia), RZD Russian Railways, National Basketball Association - NBA, TALLY WEiJL, El Machetazo, Young Heroes, Mozzart, Mitsui Knowledge Industry (MKI) , Surgutneftegas Open Joint Stock Company, The VELUX Group, AOK Bundesverband, AL-KO KOBER GROUP

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft SQL Servering Services vs. SAP Crystals

April 2025

Free Report: Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs. SAP Crystal Reports

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs. SAP Crystal Reports and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.

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