Microsoft MDS Alternative & MDM Platform Comparison
Microsoft removed Master Data Services from SQL Server 2025. Looking for a self-hosted MDS replacement? Compare Primentra with Profisee, Informatica MDM, and SAP Master Data Governance — and find an affordable on-premise MDM platform that fits your team.
Why teams migrate from Microsoft MDS
Most teams land here for one of these reasons
MDS removed from SQL Server 2025
Microsoft has officially removed Master Data Services from SQL Server 2025. MDS is only supported on SQL Server 2022 and earlier — with end of life approaching fast.
Outdated user interface
The MDS web interface feels like 2010. No inline editing, no keyboard navigation, no modern UX patterns that data teams expect.
Enterprise MDM is expensive overkill
Profisee, Informatica, and SAP cost €50k–500k per year, require consultants to implement, and take months to go live. Most teams need 10% of those features — but pay for 100%.
No clear migration path
Microsoft deprecated MDS but offers no built-in migration tool to any alternative. Teams are left to figure it out themselves — export scripts, manual mapping, hope for the best.
MDM Platform Comparison at a Glance
Key differences between master data management tools
| Primentra | Microsoft MDS | Profisee | Informatica MDM | SAP Master Data Governance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment | On-premise (SQL Server) | On-premise (SQL Server) | Cloud or on-premise | Cloud (IDMC) or on-premise | Cloud (BTP) or on-premise |
| Pricing | €7,500/yr | Included with SQL Server license | Custom — typically €30,000–150,000+/yr | Custom — typically €100,000–500,000+/yr | Custom — typically €80,000–300,000+/yr |
| Pricing model | Flat fee, unlimited users | SQL Server licensing | Per-user or per-record licensing | Per-record or capacity-based | SAP licensing model |
| Time to deploy | Under 1 hour | 1–4 weeks | 2–6 months | 3–12 months | 3–12 months |
| Target audience | Mid-market teams, MDS migrants | SQL Server environments | Enterprise, Microsoft-stack companies | Large enterprise, regulated industries | SAP customers |
Feature-by-Feature MDM Comparison
What each master data management platform offers out of the box
| Feature | Primentra | Microsoft MDS | Profisee | Informatica | SAP MDG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-service setup | — | — | — | — | |
| MDS migration wizard | — | — | — | — | |
| Excel-like grid editing | — | — | — | ||
| On-premise SQL Server | — | ||||
| Cloud deployment | — | — | |||
| Unlimited users included | — | — | — | ||
| Business rules engine | — | ||||
| Match & merge | — | — | |||
| Data quality tools | — | — | |||
| Hierarchy management | |||||
| Approval workflows | |||||
| Staging tables | |||||
| Entity cloning (versioning) | — | — | — | — | |
| API access | |||||
| Integration views | |||||
| No consultants required | — | — | — | — | |
| Active development | — |
Detailed MDM Platform Reviews
Every platform has strengths. Here is an honest look at each MDS alternative.
Primentra
Modern MDM for mid-market teams
Teams moving away from Microsoft MDS who want a modern, affordable platform they can deploy and manage themselves.
Strengths
Considerations
Microsoft MDS
SQL Server Master Data Services
Organizations already using SQL Server Enterprise who need basic MDM and have in-house expertise to manage it.
Strengths
Considerations
Profisee
Enterprise MDM built on Microsoft stack
Large enterprises on the Microsoft stack who need advanced matching, merging, and data stewardship capabilities.
Strengths
Considerations
Informatica MDM
Enterprise-grade master data management
Large enterprises with complex, multi-domain MDM needs, strict compliance requirements, and budget for a dedicated MDM team.
Strengths
Considerations
SAP Master Data Governance
MDM within the SAP ecosystem
Organizations heavily invested in SAP who need to govern master data across their SAP landscape.
Strengths
Considerations
The Best MDS Alternative for Teams Who...
You are migrating from MDS
Built-in migration wizard moves your models, entities, and data from Microsoft MDS in minutes. No consultants, no risk.
You need MDM, not a platform
You want structured master data management without the 6-month implementation, consultants, and enterprise complexity.
Your data stays on-premise
Primentra runs on your own SQL Server. No cloud dependencies, no data leaving your network, full control.
Budget is a factor
€7,500/year (founding rate) with unlimited models, entities, and users. No per-user fees, no surprises.
Your team values simplicity
Excel-like grid editing, keyboard shortcuts, copy/paste from Excel. Your team is productive from day one.
You want to own the timeline
Deploy in a day. No waiting on consultants, no project plans, no steering committees. Just start managing your data.
Frequently asked questions
Is Primentra a direct replacement for Microsoft Master Data Services?
Yes. Primentra covers the core MDS functionality that most teams use: models, entities, attributes, domain references, hierarchy management, and integration views. We include a built-in migration wizard that moves your MDS structure and data in minutes.
What MDS features does Primentra not have yet?
MDS has a business rules engine that Primentra doesn’t replicate yet — data quality rules are on our roadmap. For versioning, Primentra takes a different approach: entity cloning creates point-in-time snapshots that live side by side.
How does Primentra compare to enterprise MDM platforms like Profisee or Informatica?
Enterprise MDM platforms offer advanced capabilities like match-and-merge, data quality scoring, and multi-domain governance. These are powerful but come with 6-figure costs and months of implementation. Primentra focuses on the 80% of MDM functionality that most teams actually need, at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
Is there per-user pricing?
No. Primentra is €7,500/year (founding rate) with unlimited users. Enterprise MDM vendors often charge per-seat, which can make costs unpredictable as your team grows.
Can I migrate from Microsoft MDS to Primentra?
Yes. Primentra includes a built-in migration wizard that exports your MDS models, entities, attributes, and data, then imports them in minutes. No consultants needed.
What happens to MDS when upgrading to SQL Server 2025?
Master Data Services has been removed from SQL Server 2025. If you upgrade, MDS will no longer be available. Microsoft recommends migrating to an alternative before upgrading. Primentra makes this transition straightforward with a built-in migration wizard.
Is Primentra a self-hosted MDM platform?
Yes. Primentra runs entirely on your own infrastructure — your SQL Server, your network, your control. No cloud dependencies, no data leaving your premises.
How much does Primentra cost?
Primentra is €7,500 per year (founding rate) with unlimited models, entities, and users. No per-seat licensing, no hidden fees.
How is Primentra different from Profisee?
Profisee is an enterprise MDM platform with per-user licensing and consultant-driven implementation. Primentra focuses on core MDM functionality at a flat price with unlimited users. You can deploy Primentra yourself in under a day.
Further reading
More context on MDM selection and the MDS migration
Too big for spreadsheets, too small for Informatica
The MDM gap most vendors ignore — and why mid-market teams keep falling through it.
Your MDS Excel Add-in Stopped Working
Why the MDS Excel add-in broke, what Microsoft recommends now, and what to use instead.
MDS was already broken in 2018
An honest look at why MDS was left to stagnate — and what that means for your next move.
Or explore the full blog for more migration guides and MDM insights.
Ready to Replace Microsoft MDS?
Join teams that chose simplicity over complexity. Migrate in minutes, deploy in a day.