SQL : Microsoft SQL Express Edition VS Standard Edition

Microsoft SQL Server Versions and Editions

SQL Server is grouped as versions and editions when shipped. 

The SQL Server version releases come out every two or three years or so. A new version release brings numerous improvements to SQL Server in terms of feature set, performance capabilities, scalability, etc. The versions of SQL Server are named according to the year of release.

For each version of SQL Server, we also have a grouping called editions. Editions of SQL Server determine the functionality. Every edition has its feature set. Customers can choose the right edition and won’t pay for what they do not need. For example, organizations without high availability use cases would not need an Enterprise or Standard Edition of SQL Server.

Have a look at the below picture. It summarizes the SQL Server editions offered in version 2019