MariaDB or MSSQL? Discuss…
One is free and works really well.
The other is expensive and works really well.
I think that pretty much sums it up.
One can run in either Windows or Linux.
The other one… not so much, despite the owner’s claims to the contrary,
Some side-by-side comparisons. I usually look at them with a grain of salt, but it’s a starting point
https://db-engines.com/en/system/MariaDB%3BMicrosoft+SQL+Server%3BPostgreSQL
Actually, I do run the non-free one in Linux without trouble. Some GUI features are missing.
As to the OP: Avoid MSSQL in any context where time zones matter, unless you can ensure that both the DB and all gateways that talk to it will be using UTC. And I don’t recommend either. Use PostgreSQL.
Not one of the original two, but I second this.
I haven't done any real SQL db deployments since, well, since joining IA, but I'll third this. Postgres has a great blend of features, performance, and 'sanity'. Would prob do a quick-pass on the big-dogs if I were looking to deploy a new production DB, but postgres would almost certainly come out on top.
And you can get commercial support and extra features (clustering) from EnterpriseDB.