Standard vs. Datacenter: the practical difference
| Item | Server 2025 Standard | Server 2025 Datacenter |
|---|---|---|
| Hyper-V virtualizations | Up to 2 VMs | Unlimited |
| Storage Spaces Direct | No | Yes |
| Network Controller / SDN | No | Yes |
| Licensing model | Per 16 cores | Per 16 cores |
| Recommended for | SMEs with 1–2 VMs | Virtualization-intensive setups |
CAL: Client Access Licenses: what you need to know
The server itself is only half the license. For every user or device that accesses the server, you need a CAL (Client Access License). Two variants: User CAL (licenses one user on any number of devices) and Device CAL (licenses one device for any number of users).
Rule of thumb: if you have more devices than users (shift work, several employees sharing PCs), the Device CAL is cheaper. If you have more users than devices (mobile workers, notebooks), the User CAL is cheaper. We provide free advice on planning your specific CAL needs.