You're building a new cloud database that you expect to grow to 50 TB. Which is the best option for your database?

The best option for a cloud database expected to grow to 50 TB is Azure SQL Database Hyperscale. This service is specifically designed to accommodate large databases and is capable of scaling out efficiently. Hyperscale can support databases up to 100 TB, making it an excellent choice for scenarios where significant growth is anticipated.

Hyperscale architecture allows for rapid scaling of storage and compute resources independently, which means that as your database size increases, you can effectively manage the performance and resource allocation without being constrained by the limitations of traditional database models. This flexibility is crucial for handling large datasets and ensuring optimal performance as the database expands.

Other options have limitations that might not be suitable for a database of this size. Azure Cosmos DB, while offering scalable NoSQL capabilities, may not be the best fit if a relational database structure is required. Azure SQL Managed Instance is suitable for existing SQL Server migrations but may not scale as efficiently as Hyperscale for very large databases. Azure Blob Storage, while excellent for object storage, is not designed for structured database transactions and relational data management that would be required in this context.

Thus, Azure SQL Database Hyperscale is the most appropriate choice for a cloud database expected to grow significantly, ensuring both scalability and performance.